Do you really need thermal paste when instaling a cpu?

[ghostofmaxwell]

Sorry for the simpleton question, but I'm building a system(still havent got a graphics card as Im waiting for 88gt stock). Anyway I've got an E2140 CPU and am wondering if I have messed up by instaling it with just the sort of gel bit that is stuck on the stock cooler.

[Uridium]

Originally Posted by ghostofmaxwell

Sorry for the simpleton question, but I'm building a system(still havent got a graphics card as Im waiting for 88gt stock). Anyway I've got an E2140 CPU and am wondering if I have messed up by instaling it with just the sort of gel bit that is stuck on the stock cooler.

Nah that'll be fine. Most people balls it up by smearing to much gunk on anyway

[LittleBlueDot]

That little gel bit is the thermal paste. It will melt once you installed the cpu and turn on the power. It's all you need.

[Badger0-0]

No you don't at standard spec.
But would you really risk a £60ish plus processor for a couple of quid?

If you're tweaking, it's a no-brainer, IMO.

I don't tweak, but wouldn't consider fitting even a standard chip without thermal paste, FWIW.

[ghostofmaxwell]

That little gel bit is the thermal paste. It will melt once you installed the cpu and turn on the power. It's all you need.

Yeah I kind of thought that was the case. Thanks you guys

[ghostofmaxwell]

Originally Posted by Badger0-0

No you don't at standard spec.
But would you really risk a £60ish plus processor for a couple of quid?

If you're tweaking, it's a no-brainer, IMO.

I don't tweak, but wouldn't consider fitting even a standard chip without thermal paste, FWIW.

Yeah because I've got an Nforce board aswell, so Im planning to overclock as the entery level dual core is apparently a great overclocker...

Hmmm now Im stuck between a rock and a hard place I think.

[Badger0-0]

Well, I have to hold my hands up and say I'm 5 years out of date

The younger (I guess) lads are saying you don't need it.
They probably know better than me, in all honesty

But I'd still be tempted to pay the extra few quid.

I know you're looking to cut corners (aren't we all?) but I can't see the point in scrimping here.

Having said that, from the little I know, it has to be done right.

And as has been said, you can put too much on.

The top paste sellers have pages that expand on this, so you should read carefully, IMO

[ghostofmaxwell]

You thought I would have learned by now not to be so hasty.
Do you think It will damage the cpu if I remove it now and paste it up? I havent fired it up yet as I dont have the graphics card .

[MarkE19]

The coolers I have seen recently all have thermal paste preinstalled onto the cooler. I have just bought (but am yet to install) a new system and have the Artic Cooler pro 7. This has the paste and there is no advantage (stated in reviews of this cooler) to add Artic Silver etc. But if you do then you need to carefully remove the paste already on the cooler. If already installed then also clean the CPU.
The only reason IMO for adding paste is if you remove and reinstall the cooler.

Mark.

[ghostofmaxwell]

Yeah my cooler had 2 or 3 stips of what I can only describe as ''stickers of a gel substance''.

I think I will leave it as it is. Maybe I will get a 3rd party cooler if I cant overclock well, then think about extra paste.

[dave_bass5]

Originally Posted by Badger0-0

No you don't at standard spec.
But would you really risk a £60ish plus processor for a couple of quid?

If you're tweaking, it's a no-brainer, IMO.

I don't tweak, but wouldn't consider fitting even a standard chip without thermal paste, FWIW.

I think the OP is referring to adding the paste to a new CPU/fan that already has the gel pad on it rather than in general.
At least, thats how i read it.

[tiredeyes69]

oh yes

[SeanT]

If the preinstalled stuff is on the chip / cooler, it works better than the paste, as it fills the gaps better - otherwise a thin smear of thermal paste is a good idea, just don't put too much on, it's only to fill the imperfections between the processor heat dissipating surface and the "perfectly flat" heatsink base - in theory if you have perfect components you don't need it, but there will always be gaps, which create hotspots, which kills the chip...