This is a newb question but I need it answered plz...

[Marktoloba]

What is Thermal paste such as Arctic Silver? I know it has to do with your CPU... It cools it down but how is it applied and what else should I know about it?

 

[Monkey muppet]

Google is your slave and you are it's master (use and abuse it)

Artic Silver

 

[Chaotic42]

The surface of your CPU is imperfect, as is the surface of your heatsink. These imperfections prevent the two from touching completely. These gaps do not conduct heat very well. Applying a thermal compound to the CPU causes these gaps to be reduced/eliminated, increasing the amount of heat that can flow from the CPU to the heatsink.

 

[Marktoloba]

I just read this... Is the application as dangerous and hard as it seems... I don't want to ruin a brand new CPU b/c of a newbish mistake...

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: Marktoloba
I just read this... Is the application as dangerous and hard as it seems... I don't want to ruin a brand new CPU b/c of a newbish mistake...

Naa, piece of cake, especially with "capped" CPUs such as the Athlon64.

 

[Monkey muppet]

I've done system builds for many years and only used it once.

Some people say you must use it - or else.

I say it it 'could' reduce your temps by 5-7 degrees max. If your not OC'ing then thermal pads or equivelent is fine.

(when was the last time you saw a system run anything near 20 degrees of the thermal limit of the CPU??)

 

[Amaroque]

It's not "required" But it does work quite a bit better than the "white goop"

 

[Marktoloba]

thanks... I've decided I'm gonna pick this up
Any place you can find that has this the cheapest?
Arctic Silver 5 is te newest and best right?

 

[villageidiot111]

Arctic Silver 5 is about $6.00 shipped from http://www.svc.com/as5-3g.html .