Thermal paste on 'boxed' CPU?

[JCKC]

My components have started to roll in for my build. I got a 'boxed' Intel E7200.

On the bottom of the included cooling fan are three strips of gray material about a 1/4" wide and 1" long. I assume this is the thermal paste, correct?

There is nothing I need to do as far as further prepping the CPU prior to installation, right?

My last PC I built was an AMD and I went with an aftermarket cooler and I had to purchase the thermal paste seperately and apply it prior to installing the CPU.

But it looks like with this Intel CPU, I'm all set to go. Does that sound right?
_________________
JohnC - Kechi, KS

 

[DSF]

Yep. Just pop the cooler on and you're good to go. Make sure you get all four pins down securely.

 

[JCKC]

Thanks DSF, you've been a great help throughout my entire build process, including making recommendations on the components. I sincerely appreciate it.
__________________
JohnC - Kechi, KS

 

[DSF]

No problemo.

If you haven't already, you may want to watch this instructional video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFEOd7nQbuQ

 

[lenjack]

...and your question is NOT stupid.

 

[o1die]

I recommend you set up your new board on the box it came in. Connect the 4 (or 8) pin power supply connector, the 24 pin connector, cpu/heatsink, memory and video card to get a bare post. You can touch the power switch lead with a plain flat screwdriver and the board will power up to the post screen, where you can press a key to enter the bios and save or change any settings and exit if you have the keyboard connected. The reason for the "bare post" is to check the memory and cpu heatsink for proper contact. My brother recently didn't have his memory seated, and his system wouldn't power up. Another common problem is having the backplate crooked against the case frame, which may shift the motherboard slightly off center when mounting and cause it to make contact with metal in the wrong place, creating a no post situation.

 

[zsdersw]

Sometimes the CPU heatsink push pins go in easily without flexing the motherboard, sometimes they don't. The best thing to do is connect the CPU and heatsink to the motherboard before putting it in the case, if you're concerned about flexing the motherboard a bit.

 

[JCKC]

Thanks again folks. I do plan on installing the CPU/cooler and RAM onto the board before putting the board in the case.

Although a good number of folks prefer to do a "bare" post of the board outside of the case, I probably won't do that myself. I've built a number of systems and I've always assembled the entire chassis before the initial boot. I figure the less I have to assemble, dissassemble, and reassemble, the less likely I'll screw something up.

Again, thanks for the advice. I appreciate it.
________________
JohnC - Kechi, KS

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Better to ask questions now, rather than post after something has gone wrong

Everybody had to start learning some time.

 

[Arkaign]

If you're anal about doing things perfect, you could always clean the stock stuff all off and then put high-quality stuff on there. Of course, with as good as the current Intel offerings are, I wouldn't bother, might save a degree or two AT BEST.

 

[Idontcare]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
If you're anal about doing things perfect, you could always clean the stock stuff all off and then put high-quality stuff on there. Of course, with as good as the current Intel offerings are, I wouldn't bother, might save a degree or two AT BEST.

To be sure, the stock HSF itself is going to be the real determiner of those temps.

 

[soccerballtux]

OMG U R SO DUMB LOL

No, that's a solid question.

 

[OCGuy]

Noob!


J/K. Enjoy the new build! And if you ever get the itch to overclock, (which you will if you hang around these animals long enough) get a nice aftermarket heatsink.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

so no need to apply AS5 on new intel CPU's?

 

[stuff311]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo
so no need to apply AS5 on new intel CPU's?

That depends on your intentions with it, I would suppose. Stock cooling with no OC, I see no direct NEED for it.

On the other hand, if you're planning on slappin' a Tuniq tower and sending that 7200 straight to 4Ghz, then AS5 might be in order.

 

[bharatwaja]

Originally posted by: Ocguy31
Noob!


J/K. Enjoy the new build! And if you ever get the itch to overclock, (which you will if you hang around these animals long enough) get a nice aftermarket heatsink.

:thumbsup:
100% what happened in my case... now I am frustrated that the temps for qx9650 at 4.4 GHz is quite a bit!

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: stuff311

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo
so no need to apply AS5 on new intel CPU's?

That depends on your intentions with it, I would suppose. Stock cooling with no OC, I see no direct NEED for it.

On the other hand, if you're planning on slappin' a Tuniq tower and sending that 7200 straight to 4Ghz, then AS5 might be in order.

stock cooling, planning to take an e7200 to 3ghz.

 

[faxon]

mm see how the thermals are when you get it to 3GHz. you might want to swap out for AS5 if you plan on overclocking it but it depends more on the room your computer is going to be in and airflow through the case. 2.53 to 3 isnt a big OC and wholfsdale cores run really cool as it is because of their small die size. one thing to keep in mind is that sometimes the coolers that come with TIM already applied come with way to much applied, or it is of low/questionable quality. whenever i take a CPU out of a machine or put a fresh rig together with all new parts, i make a point to give it something other than the stock shit they usually ship them with. i have seen to many CPUs burn up in california's hot summer heatwaves to trust in stock coolers/thermal materials any longer

 

[conorvansmack]

I'm about to run into this decision too (AS5 vs. stock). This is a great thread with a really common question! Mucho props for having the balls to ask!

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: conorvansmack
I'm about to run into this decision too (AS5 vs. stock). This is a great thread with a really common question! Mucho props for having the balls to ask!

If you're using the stock heatsink there's no reason not to use the included thermal goop.

 

[Ares202]

built my bro a pc last week and slapped the stock q6600 cooler on it, runs at 42-48c @ stock

the cooler that comes with the e7200 blows, its half the size of even a stock conroe/kentsfield cooler and has an aluminium not copper base, so it might get a bit toasty at 3ghz especially with any volt-modding