Installing CPU help needed

[bajajg]

hey all,

i recently got my 3200+ Venice core AMD CPU. It was a retail purchase and came with the heatsink.

My question is, when i read the instructions that came with the box on how to install the CPU, the instructions say that some kind of thermal interface material is required between the heatsink and processor.

Well, I thought the retail AMD processor box came with the thermal pad. Since I dont know what one looks like, im not sure if I already have it on my heatsink, or I need to buy a pad or grease.

The heatsink that came with the processor has a plastic covering at the bottom enclosing the base of the heatsink. The base itself has some kind of grey square pad on it at the bottom.

q1. Is this the thermal pad? If it is, I dont need to buy any other thermal interface soln even tho the instructions say so right?

q2. or is this just a pad to actually place the grease on?

thanks ppl, this is the first time im doing this!
g

 

[Bug]

Sounds like the plastic covering is protecting the thermal compound on the underside of the heatsink. Make sure you remove the plastic before mounting the heatsink on the cpu.

You don't need to buy additional thermal compound b/c the heatsink already has some. However, the compound may not necessarily be quality material. A popular compound is the Arctic Silver 5 that you can get at Newegg for $8 + $5 shipping, or many computer stores like Mwave or Monarch.

If you were to use the stuff I mentioned above, it's recommended you remove the old compound before applying new material. Rubbing alcohol should be fine, but others might have different recommendations.

 

[helpmeout]

The gray square is the factory thermal pad and should be sufficient.

 

[bajajg]

thanks. thats what i thought.

has anyone installed an AMD cpu from a retail box and can actually confirm that the thermal pad exists?

thanks!

 

[mdchesne]

peel off the plastic covering to expose the thermal pad, apply as directions instruct

 

[bajajg]

Thanks ppl. will get right on it!

 

[keeleysam]

Originally posted by: bajajg
thanks. thats what i thought.

has anyone installed an AMD cpu from a retail box and can actually confirm that the thermal pad exists?

thanks!

The thermal pads they use are actually pretty nice. No need for AS5.