Thermal paste a requirement?

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I am about to put my exciting new EK Supreme LT on my Q9650 over my new UD3R and I am wondering if it is ok to just put it on without any thermal paste. If not, why?

I have a backplate for the block and as it is, I have to crank down the springs just to turn the nut once onto the thread...

 

[Gillbot]

You need TIM ALWAYS. The two surfaces are not perfectly finished, the TIM fills the gaps and allows proper thermal transfer.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
You need TIM ALWAYS. The two surfaces are not perfectly finished, the TIM fills the gaps and allows proper thermal transfer.

Thanks big Gill! Happy Easter!

 

[lenjack]

You only need it if you want your cpu to survive!

 

[TidusZ]

Try without it and get back to us with the temps. If you don't have a 2nd computer I can pm you my mailing address and I'll post the results here.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I went a head and pasted some.

 

[Modelworks]

A heat sink without paste will still make contact enough to keep a cpu from failing. But it is best to use it because it does make a considerable difference.
Not recommending you do it, but if you ever really have to and just can't get paste , you can do it.