Thermal Paste Question

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Geral

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Aug 12, 2014
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Hi guys,

I've built pc's several times but i've never overclocked before.

I've never used thermal paste before and i have cleaned pc's several times (removing stock cpu coolers included). So here are my questions.


    ■ Does the stock cpu coolers come with "pre-applied" thermal paste?
    ■ Does the after market cpu coolers come with "pre-applied" thermal paste?
    ■ Should i re-apply thermal paste each time i remove the cpu cooler (whether is stock cooler or after market) ( i read i should)
    ■Does this advices are for overclocked cpu's only? or for any cpu?
    ■ What i am looking on a thermal paste? will ANY thermal paste will work? what are the spec's i should look for?


Thank you very much
 
Solution
DHFF
Hi there. to answer in order:

1) Yes stock coolers come with a pre applied square of paste so you can just slap it on and go. in my opinion they put WAY too much on.
2) After market coolers usually come with a tube of their own company's paste included in the box but never pre applied.
3) yes its vital that you clean all old paste off with a clean cloth and 99% ibuprofal alcohol. and re apply but putting a little dot in the center then let the pressure of the cooler pressing down spread the paste out. if you don't clean and re apply then air pockets form and that is not good at all.
4) good paste and good applying and cleaning techniques are important for everyone. if you dont apply it right or use a poor product then you could...
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DHFF

DHFF

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Sep 18, 2012
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Hi there. to answer in order:

1) Yes stock coolers come with a pre applied square of paste so you can just slap it on and go. in my opinion they put WAY too much on.
2) After market coolers usually come with a tube of their own company's paste included in the box but never pre applied.
3) yes its vital that you clean all old paste off with a clean cloth and 99% ibuprofal alcohol. and re apply but putting a little dot in the center then let the pressure of the cooler pressing down spread the paste out. if you don't clean and re apply then air pockets form and that is not good at all.
4) good paste and good applying and cleaning techniques are important for everyone. if you dont apply it right or use a poor product then you could suffer high temperatures even if you are not overclocking.
5) here is an excellent breakdown of some name brand products: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/thermal-paste-performance-benchmark,3616.html
The Arctice MX-2 is my personal favorite but lots of people like the Arctic Silver 5 paste.
 
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NightAntilli

NightAntilli

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anoori9000

anoori9000

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1. yes
2. sometimes. Corsair water coolers do. some dont come with any at all, and some come with some you have to put on.
3. yes. Use Q-tips to get as much as possible off. then use goo gone. Then use 99% isopropyl alcohol ti get the goo gone off.
4. all cpu's
5. Stock thermal paste is fine if it comes with some. Arctic Silver 5 is good. Noctua stuff is good.

What CPU and motherboard and cooler to you have or plan on getting?
 
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Junit151

Junit151

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First of all, if you take off a cpu cooler, clean off the paste, and then put if back on without any, you are going to break the PC.

With that out of the way,

1. Yes
2. Almost all of them, it can easily be judged by simply looking at the bottom of the cooler. And if it doesn't come pre-applied, then some will come in a tube in the box with the cooler.
3.Yes, clean off the old stuff and put on new stuff.
4. Every CPU needs paste. For overclockers, a good thermal paste can improve your temps but only by one or two degrees, it really isn't worth the hassle IMO.
5. Most thermal pastes perform nearly the same, if you just want a recommendation, Arctic Silver 5 is the most popular. http://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Silver-Thermal-Compound-Grams/dp/B000OGX5AM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1409777765&sr=1-1&keywords=thermal+compound
 
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Geral

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Im planning on getting i7 4790k and NZXT Kraken x61, i suppose it comes with either pre-applied or a tube of thermal paste right? (I saw specifications and didn't see anything about thermal paste).



Well i actually never cleaned off the paste, just leave it there. But i suppose thats wrong too.

Thank you guys for your answers. Ill read the guide (both parts) and ill start buying some paste, and allways clean and re-apply from now on.

 
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DHFF

DHFF

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the Kraken more then likely will come with a tube of paste in the box. I yet to see any aftermarket cooler that didn't include paste. IF for some reason there is no paste in the box or the cooling block does not have it pre applied then go to your local computer shop and they should have some. no self respecting computer shop wouldnt have a supply on hand.
 
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