thermal pad vs. thermal paste

[hathetran]

hey guys,

im planning to assemble my computer this weekend but had a question..i think my cpu (AMD 1055T) comes with a thermal pad already in place on the heatsink? do i need to still apply thermal paste to it? i read on wiki..you either use the thermal pad or the thermal paste..not both. thanks.

 

[byronl]

usually the thermal pad is a one time thing when u remove it u have to reapply. Remove everything old left from heatsink and cpu and apply thermal paste.

 

[corkyg]

Wiki is correct - never pad + paste. With a brand new system, I normally use the pad if it comes with the cooler heatsink. Then, if that doesn't keep temp ranges in the proper range, remove the heatsink/cooler and the pad. The pad must be totally removed - carefully, so as not to scratch the metal surface. Then apply a very thin layer of good compound such as Arctic silver. Thin is the watchword. The purpose is to smooth out the microscopic pits in the metal's surface - not to create a layer of "mayonnaise." The objective is a good, tight contact between CPU surface and cooler heatsink surface.

 

[whitesammy]

thermal pads are for chipsets not cpu's

 

[Murloc]

it's solidified thermal paste that will distribuite because of the heat when you use the computer.
You can leave it, but if temperatures are not low enough (especially if you overclock) you should consider using another paste.

I agree 100% with what corkyg said.

 

[TheStu]

thermal pads are for chipsets not cpu's

That is more of a thermal tape usually on chipsets and RAM sinks.

But a thermal pad is solidified thermal paste, it adheres to the heatsink, but so does thermal paste. While many 'serious' people insist upon thermal paste, quite frankly, I have been running my system on stock heatsink at 3.25GHz for the past year or more and it works so well that at times the fan turns off.

 

[alm4rr]

i posted a hot deal on artic silver ceramatique for $4 shipped in the HD forum if you are still interested (It came pretty quickly)