Intel Retail Pack

[adrianjm]

Hello,

Do I need to buy thermal paste if I have bought an Intel retail pack and a CPU cooler? (Is there thermal paste in the Intel retail pack?

 

[soest009]

Welcome Adrianjm!,

Yes when you purchase a retail cpu it will be delivered with cooler and pre-applied thermal paste.
So no further thermal paste is needed.
On a side note, if you planning of overclocking i would suggest using an aftermarket cooler and arctic silver type thermal compound.
If you stay on stock speeds then you have nothing to worry about.

 

[adrianjm]

Thanks Soest,

I have bought a Zalman fan, so I guess I'll try and source some of the AS thermal paste if their is a chance their will not be enough pre-applied stuff to use on the Zalman.

Cheers!

Adrian

 

[soest009]

Never mix 2 different thermal paste's!!!
Pre-applied material is most of the time low cost paste, hence thats why most people advice to get some arctic silver or equivalent material instead.

 

[jsc]

Just use isoprpyl alcohol and a piece of a coffee filter (or a lint free rag if you do not drink coffee) to clean the old compound off.

 

[adrianjm]

ahhh. Thank you very much guys. Saved me the problem of learning the hard way!

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

I like to use used dryer sheet (Bounce dryer sheets) if you dont do coffee. They are clean of the lint.

Christian Wood
Intel Enthusiast Team

 

[adrianjm]

I just received the Zalman fan and they are nice enough to include some thermal paste. what nice people they are over at Zalman!

Adrian