Do Intel heatsinks (retail) come with thermal past already applied?

[GarmaZed]

I didn't buy thermal paste with my build, and I'm trying to figure out if I need to buy some and put it one before I install the processor and heatsink. The bottom of the heatsink, where the processor meets it, has about three different sections of some gray material on it, is that the thermal paste already applied?

The package I got was the Core 2 Duo E4600 retail one, from Newegg.com.

I'm hoping for a quick answer, please!

 

[cfvh600]

yes that's the thermal paste already applied.

 

[babybudha]

Yes, thats the stock thermal gunt already in it. You would though benefit from removing it, and applying some high-end aftermarket thermal paste. Thermal paste is cheap too. A small tube will cost you $5-10, and last for quiet a while. Arctic Silver 5 use to be the defacto standard, but recently, other brands have emerged that meet or even exceed it.

Here is a nice article on some different thermal pastes:

http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/1220/1/page_1_introduction/index.html

 

[GarmaZed]

Success! Thanks!