Originally posted by: MMarks2
I have the new 2500 retail barton. Does it need paste? It comes with the silver paste already on the fan. I thought i read somewhere that this is better then usual and you dont need paste with the new heatsinks? Is that true or am i crazy.
Silver paste on the fan? I think you mean there is already a thermal pad on the bottom of the heatsink.
Do you plan on overclocking? If yes, then you most definately need to use some type of paste, and I'd recommend getting a high quality compound like
Artic Silver 5. Either way you decide to go, you need to apply a very small layer of the compound. DON'T glob the crap on there as if you were making a peanut butter sandwich.
A thin layer of any type thermal compound and the retail heatsink and fan will do fine if you don't plan on OC'ing. The compound and retail HSF will also work fine as you see how far you can go with the overclock. However, if you are serious about OC'ing and keeping your temps down, then you need to get a better heatsink/fan combo and use Artic Silver.