Really dumb heatsink question

[Ordo]

Ok. I'm sure someone is going to think I'm an idiot, but here goes:
On the heatsink I have for a new T-bird 1.1GHz there is a little pad that is positioned to go over core of the processor. Some articles I've read seem to suggest that I'm supposed to scrape that pad off before applying thermal grease. Is this true? The packaging for the heatsink says not to remove it. Do I apply the thermal grease in addition to the pad? Or is the pad in lieu of the thermal grease?

Ok. Hit me.

 

[Yossarian]

You're certainly not being an idiot by asking a question that could save your $200+ piece of hardware. Use either grease, OR the pad, but NOT BOTH. If you don't plan on overclocking, I would just go with the pad. Be sure to peel off the protective film that may be on there tho, they use that to cover the adhesive. If you want better cooling, carefully scrape off the pad and clean the bottom of the HS with isopropyl alcohol. Then apply your thermal paste to the core.

 

[Ordo]

Phew! That was relatively painless. THANKS! Just for kicks - why would you not apply both? Would it actually hinder the cooling process? I imagine it would have something to do with adding an extra layer to tranfer through?

 

[PliotronX]

The objective of thermal interface material is not to "accelerate" heat transfer (in a sense of the more the better), but it is to fill the tiny air pockets between the heatsink and slug of the processor. This is why people lap their processors to a mirror finish so that very little thermal interface material is required for best possible heat transfer.

 

[Peabody]

You may want to consider Artic Silver 2 if you decide to use thermal grese or paste.