Thermal Compound?

[veggies]

What is thermal compound? Do I need to use it when I'm building my new machine?

 

[hunter315]

Thermal compound is used to make a good thermal junction between a CPU and the heatsink for better heat transfer, if you are using the stock heatsink that comes with your processor it will come with some pre-applied. If you are using an aftermarket heatsink, it will likely come with some that you will need to apply.

 

[kajabla]

You probably don't need to spent more money on third-party compound.

 

[anhtice]

if you are going to get an aftermarket cooler, get a compound too. I believe a better/good thermal compound is more effective than a better chasis fan over a regular one.

get artic 4 if you are, that lasts for 8yrs, longer than the depreciation of a machine.