Xeon CPU.

[mastertrancer]

Hi, as you can see I'm new to the forum. My question may seem fairly basic, but I'm unsure as to what to do, so I need your input. I have a server at home that currently has an Intel XEON 3.4GHz processor installed. It has the capacity for a second one, which I already have. My question is when install the second CPU do I need to use a thermal compound or can I get away without having to use it?

 

[Mex]

What, do you mean that you have a dual-socket board? All modern CPUs require some type of thermal compund/pad. Without it, the CPU will throttle as soon as you turn it on.

 

[jjw]

Do some research, I know the 'older' Xeon's needed to use a thermal pad instead of just some artic silver or similar. This is because they have a larger heat spreader.

I don't think this may be applicable to your processor, the 3.4 GHz are relatively new.

Thermal pad/compound is a must!

 

[mastertrancer]

I'm fairly proficient with computers, but as yet I haven't built one from scratch nor have I installed a component like a CPU. So I did a search on Google. Now on some sites there was no mention of using a thermal paste, but on others there was. That's why I'm confused, but thanks to your replies I now know that I need to apply it. Many thanks for your responses guys.

 

[jjw]

If you didn't see already, some heatsinks come with a pre-applied thermal pad or paste. It is usually grayish silver on the stock intel heatsinks.

 

[Grimmy]

The only way you could get away from not using compound, is lapping the HSF, and the heatspreader on top of the CPU.

I believe it will run with a HSF without thermal compound, but expect high temps, and even lockups when the system tries to access the other CPU, or throttling.

Edit:

I also should say, it's pretty much illadvised to not use thermal compound.

 

[angry_ducky]

CPU - thermal compound = Fried CPU
CPU + thermal compound = Happy CPU

NEVER run a CPU without some sort of thermal grease between it and the heatsink.

Arctic Silver is widely considered to be the best thermal compound; look on their WEBSITE for instructions.