Is Thermal Paste required?

[theMan]

Originally posted by: Lonyo

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: David Brent
remember to put the heatsink with the fan facing the cpu, so the cpu can get a nice cool breeze. otherwise you're just sticking a hunk of metal on it which acts like a blanket and results in overheating.

That all depends on how the HS was designed. Alpha heatsinks are designed to have the fan pulling air up off the HS (aka "sucking").

The heatsink will have the fan attatched already, in the way that AMD decide they want it, either blowing or sucking. Or at least IIRC, my Athlon XP heatsink came with fan already attatched.
Leave the fan as it is. As Blain says, some heatsinks blow, some suck.

"I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows at the same time!" - Bart Simpson

 

[bluedeviltron]

Originally posted by: Buz2b

Originally posted by: bluedeviltron
OK, well I just read on this other site that it is NOT required for the first time you install the CPU/heatsink/fan. They said something about a thermal pad already on it, and that I have to peel off some kind of thin film.

First off, if you are not sure about this process, you shouldn't be building a system. Please do some more research first. Second, the folks that you read saying the thermal paste wasn't required were, if not ill informed, akin to idiots. You MUST have a thermal interface material between the processor and the heatsink; Period! Yes, there is a thermal interface pad on the stock AMD retail heatsink. Yes, it can be used instead of thermal paste, if you must. However, you MUST remove the protective paper/plastic layer on that thermal pad BEFORE applying it to the processor (otherwise it does no good). Pic of that. NO, that thermal pad is not as good as a high quality thermal paste (like Arctic Silver). Yes, there are places you can go to get instructions on how to apply the paste--Go Here. NO, I would never trust the heart of my system to anything less than a good quality thermal paste. Especially when it only costs ~$5.99 on this site.
One last reminder for you though......you MUST first remove the thermal pad before using Arctic Silver or any other thermal interface material. That can be accomplished by using the edge of a plastic card (like a CC) and some alcohol on a clean rag.
Bottom line, you should use the paste, as others here have posted. You can use the thermal pad but when a better option is so easily and cheaply available, why bother?

I'm not going to be doing any overclocking or anything CPU intensive like that, so I think the thermal pad will be OK for me right now. And by the way, what is the blue thing in that pic you linked to? My heatsink didn't come with anything like that. It only had a plastic shell over the bottom of it, and I took that off, and there was the gray pad in the square in the middle.

 

[JDCentral]

Thermal compound is really cheap, too... so why not just throw it on there, regardless?

I mean... with THAT processor, especially, an extra $1-10 isn't going to make much of a difference.

 

[bluedeviltron]

Originally posted by: JDCentral
Thermal compound is really cheap, too... so why not just throw it on there, regardless?

I mean... with THAT processor, especially, an extra $1-10 isn't going to make much of a difference.

Because I already built the computer, and everything is up and running fine. I'd rather not go in a screw around with the heatsink any more just because one thermal "paste" is better than the thermal "pad" that came with it.

Would there be any noticeable negative effects using the stock thermal pad? Would the temperature rise really fast? Also, what is a good temperature the system should be at? Last night when I first started it up, it said it was at 37 C.

 

[bluedeviltron]

OK, I'm going to put some Arctic Silver on this thing...but I have a couple of questions.

Last night, the system ran for about 10 minutes. Would this be enough time for the stock thermal pad to be melted in? If it has already been melted in, can I still apply Arctic Silver to it?

Also, I only put the Arctic Silver on the heatsink, right? Because on the "how to" site, it shows them putting the paste onto the processor, too.

 

[frankgomez75]

thermal paste is for noobs!
Hardcore ppl don't use it..... j/k
If you value your CPU best to put a paper thin layer of Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
ON the CPU NOT THE HEATSINK!

 

[bluedeviltron]

Originally posted by: frankgomez75
thermal paste is for noobs!
Hardcore ppl don't use it..... j/k
If you value your CPU best to put a paper thin layer of Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
ON the CPU NOT THE HEATSINK!

Well then why does it show them putting it on the heatsink? And why is the thermal pad on the heatsink?

 

[frankgomez75]

leave the thermal pad on.
I build alot of PC's. I lapped all my Heatsinks, and you only put it on the processor. A paper thin amount using a credit card or something to smooth it out. Don't get crazy and over do it like a bunch of newbies do, as its no necessary and can actually hinder the cooling. The purpose of thermal paste is to fill the imperfections of the heatsink as it is not PERFECTLY smooth. There are groove in the heatsink and the paste helps to fill these grooves. I lap my heatsink to make the grooves less pronounced and to increase the effectiveness of my heatsink. The paste will take about a week to set in.

 

[Buz2b]

Originally posted by: bluedeviltron
OK, I'm going to put some Arctic Silver on this thing...but I have a couple of questions.

Last night, the system ran for about 10 minutes. Would this be enough time for the stock thermal pad to be melted in? If it has already been melted in, can I still apply Arctic Silver to it?

Also, I only put the Arctic Silver on the heatsink, right? Because on the "how to" site, it shows them putting the paste onto the processor, too.

Just follow the directions I linked to. If the thermal pad has melted sufficiently, you'll have to work a bit to get it off. However, you MUST remove the thermal pad before putting on the AS-5. As to whether to put it on the heatsink or processor die, the answer is yes. Ha! To elaborate on the instructions a bit; Using your finger (possibly inside a plastic baggy), spread a minute amount on the heatsink (only on approximately the area that will touch the die) and then gently wipe it with a clean towel. This will fill in the tiny imperfections on the surface of the HS that you cannot see. There should be no real visible AS-5 left on the HS, only a cloudy sort of film should be visible. Then, as the instructions state, put perhaps a rice size drop of AS-5 on the CPU die. Spread it extremely thin with something like a piece of plastic or credit card. It should be almost thin enough to read through but not quite. Do not use a thick layer as it can actually act like an insulator. This whole process is easier than it sounds. Just take your time.

 

[frankgomez75]

opp... my bad when you said thermal pad I thought the white cushion part that are sometimes on the northbridge. If its the stuff thats directly over the CPU than remove it with Goof Off or a cleaning solvent. Alcohol works sometimes. Try scraping it with your finger nails first than use a cleaning solvent. You always want to remove any leftover residue from the heatsink. Than apply a clean and even coat of thermal paste

 

[KoolDrew]

Yes.

 

[Electric Amish]

yes, but you don't need arctic silver. Any basic thermal paste will work...hell, if your Heatsink comes with a thermal pad on it, I'd just use that (make sure you take off the protective plastic tab if it has it).

 

[stevecox]

First build in many years...just want to be sure I'm following everyone here. I have AMD 3200 Venice core in box w/ fan. Fan has the square of "thermal pad" grey on it (slightly blemished in one corner) but I picked up Antec Silver Termal Compound at Circuit City anyhow. 1) I DO clean off the pad before applying the Antec (correct?) 2) I do, as I like Buzz 2b suggests, apply then wipe off the HS to fill imperfections then apply to cpu (should cpu be in place on MB before coating or coat first) (correct?)
3) Is the Antec a decent brand??

Thanks
Steve

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: stevecox
First build in many years...just want to be sure I'm following everyone here. I have AMD 3200 Venice core in box w/ fan. Fan has the square of "thermal pad" grey on it (slightly blemished in one corner) but I picked up Antec Silver Termal Compound at Circuit City anyhow. 1) I DO clean off the pad before applying the Antec (correct?) 2) I do, as I like Buzz 2b suggests, apply then wipe off the HS to fill imperfections then apply to cpu (should cpu be in place on MB before coating or coat first) (correct?)
3) Is the Antec a decent brand??

Thanks
Steve

Yes, scrape off the thermal pad if you have other paste. Careful not to scratch the HS.

You can apply the paste to the HS and wipe it off if you want. It won't make any difference. I wouldn't apply it to the CPU and wipe it off. It's just too messy.

Antec is a good brand.

 

[BlueFalcon]

Uh.... Antec is making thermal paste now? (Thought they made Cases, Power supplies & Fan accesories)

Maybe Stevecox meant Arctic silver.

Arctic Silver is well regarded. (I think they have a ceramique paste too).

Haven't heard anything on "Antec" Silver.

 

[Rock Hydra]

Originally posted by: frankgomez75
thermal paste is for noobs!
Hardcore ppl don't use it..... j/k
If you value your CPU best to put a paper thin layer of Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
ON the CPU NOT THE HEATSINK!

If you want to be REEEAAALLLY hardcore, rip the IHS off and affix the HSF right to the die.
Just kidding. Don't even consider it.

 

[Buz2b]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish

You can apply the paste to the HS and wipe it off if you want. It won't make any difference. I wouldn't apply it to the CPU and wipe it off. It's just too messy.

Antec is a good brand.

Sorry but wrong on both accounts. Applying/rubbing in the paste to the heatsink then wiping it off does indeed help fill in tiny/microscopic imperfections. That is why the manufacturers recommend it. If you wanted to take it even further you could lap and polish the heatsink but that is another story.
As to the second part,

I wouldn't apply it to the CPU and wipe it off. It's just too messy.

That's nuts. I never said to apply it to the CPU and "wipe it off" and BTW, the CPU is THE PLACE you are supposed to apply the paste. That's basic knowledge.

Stevecox,
You got it right. Just look at the page of instructions I linked to in my earlier post; specifically #'s 4-8. The only correction I would make of my own instructions is spreading the paste with a cc or piece of plastic. If you have an A64 with heat spreader, you can just put the paste in the center of the cpu like the instructions state and let the pressure of the installation of the heatsink spread the paste where it is needed. With the earlier generation of processors, it was important to spread the paste over the cpu die.
Other than that, both you and bluedeviltron should follow the directions given and linked to. If you decide to use the thermal pad, don't forget to remove the protective plastic or tape covering from it. If you are going to use the paste, be sure and remove all traces of the thermal pad first. There are cleaning suggestions on that same page I linked to.