Hey all. I'm installing my E6600, and I've been hoping I wouldn't have to deal with thermal compound stuff.. but.. I guess I should ask. The Intel installation sheet doesn't mention anything about thermal compound that I can find.. I'm using stock fan/hs. Should I get some thermal compound? Do I need it? I'm not overclocking, but I do game. Thanks!

Yes.. any CPU with a HeatSink/Fan requires a thermal compound to take up the air space between the CPU top, bottom of the HS, so it can transfer heat.

If you don't put it on, your CPU will over heat, and throttle.

If you got the retail box version, the thermal compound should be at the bottom of the HSF.

If you got an OEM, them you need to supply a HSF and thermal compound.

If you got the stock heatsink/fan, then you don't need it. There should be a square on the bottom of the heatsink which is like a preapplied compound.

The stock heatsink has thermal compound on the bottom of that is covered by a plastic strip you can simply yank it off and place it on top of your CPU.

As an alternative, you can opt to scrap off the thermal compound with a blade or credit card and clean the heatsink with a lint free cloth and rubbing alcohol. Then apply Artic Silver 5 to it.

Since AS5 will be better than the stock thermal compound your CPU should run a little cooler.

I think I have the retail box. Here's a pic ^_^

Bottom of HSF

I'm guessing this will work then eh? Thanks all!

That appears to be a thermal grease on the HSF, however, it looks to have been applied by the factory in a VERY STUPID way... Those 3 stripes of grease are bound to leave some air space in the interface... which is BAD JUJU.

If I were in your shoes (which I'm not, I have an Arctic Freezer 7 going on my e6600) I'd clean that crap off the HSF and properly apply Arctic Silver 5 in its place.

That will work just fine. The hard part about socket 775 coolers is making sure they are attached properly. I would mount it to the board before you install it in the case to make sure it is seated properly.

Oh yea Intel coolers can get damn loud. I'm replacing mine this weekend. A good aftermarket cooler for the conroe can be had for around $30. Performance wise the Intel one works juist fine they were ment for the smithfields and prescotts that ran way hotter.

Negative. Its unimportant. Like coolant in your car. It just looks pretty. Now that ive stopped being a dickhead ill go.

sounds like you're making a pb sandwich jack. Instructions usually state to put a small bb-size amount on the spreader. The pressure of the hsf will cause it to spread out over most of the spreader.

If I was you i'd buy after market cooler (personal favourite Arctic cooling freezer 7 pro) and some AS5 paste.

Use some rubbing alcohol or some specialist cleaner (should find it stocked in same place as AS5) to clean factory applied paste off HSF using lint free cloth (personally find thick Kitchen tissue fine).

Then add a pea sized blob of AS5 to centre of HSF block where it will contact the CPU and use an old credit card or an old style razor blade to spread it as thinly as possible over an area wide enough to cover the whole CPU.

Install CPU / HSF as normal.

The problem with spreading it out is it is possiable to get air trapped in the material. Thats why arctic silver and others instruct to place a small amount on the surface and let pressure spread it out. I've done it both ways and they both work fine. The only thing to be careful of is not to apply too much as it will flow out of the junction and cause a mess around the cpu socket once the heatsink is applied.