Thermal Compound on the X2 3800+?

[AUTommyJ]

I have found mixed comments on this and for some reason the fine folks at AMD haven't given me a response... SO, like any well educated individual, I turn to the AT community for help!

My X2 3800+ has not yet arrived and I am wondering if it has a passable thermal compound pre-installed on the chip? I have read in several place that it does, but I can't confirm and would like to know if I should order some Arctic Silver or comparable "tube o'greasy coolness"? I will likely not be overclocking, or if I do it will be minimal. I have a Zalman CNPS7700-Cu to install on it in place of the stock heatsink/fan, and I would love to not have to experiment with thermal grease if I don't have to.

I would appreciate any help or feedback you guys can give!!!

 

[Diogenes2]

It is already on the heat sink..

If you decide to use another heatsink, you will need to get some thermal compound..

 

[peleejosh]

The thermal compound come pre-installed on the heatsink not the chip. So if you use the Zalman, you will have to get some thermal compound.

 

[AUTommyJ]

Thanks guys... nice to have the AT community at hand when you have a question.

 

[Glichez]

I have a question on this... since I'm doing the same as TommyJ (replacing the stock HSF) how does one exactly apply thermal compound? Is there a good site I should look at? I'm going with Artic Silver 5 but I'm not sure besides just squirting it on there and praying. Thanks.

Planned PC:
Asus A8N-SLI Premium
AMD 4400+ X2
Dual 6800 in SLI
2 Gigs RAM
1TB of SATA 2 HD Space!!! What a beast

 

[BoboKatt]

Just a quick reply on this... I went out and bought an aftermarket fan and HS and applied the Arctic Silv paste and ran my 3800+ for a bit. I then cleaned it all up and installed the original fan/HS that came with the chip (it has the gray/silver stuff already on the Heatsink) and the temperatures were way better than the freaking 55$ aftermarket copper one I bought. No matter how I applied the stuff myself following all guidelines and trying less.. more.. me spreading it or letting it squish around, I could not best the simply stock cooler that AMD provided..sigh. The good thing is that the temperatures are great so no complaints either way really,

 

[Mogadon]

Artic Silver 5 application instructions.

 

[Snakexor]

Originally posted by: Glichez
I have a question on this... since I'm doing the same as TommyJ (replacing the stock HSF) how does one exactly apply thermal compound? Is there a good site I should look at? I'm going with Artic Silver 5 but I'm not sure besides just squirting it on there and praying. Thanks.

Planned PC:
Asus A8N-SLI Premium
AMD 4400+ X2
Dual 6800 in SLI
2 Gigs RAM
1TB of SATA 2 HD Space!!! What a beast

sorry to get off topic, but unless you already have a 6800 for pci-e, dont sli 6800s please