Thermal paste question(newbie)

[zc3]

I plan on building my first pc real soon, so I am new at this. If I don't plan to overclock, do I still need to buy some thermal paste, or do I need it no matter what?
Just trying get some info before I order everything.

 

[lagger]

if you could provide a little more info .. anyway yes you absolutely must have some .. retail cpu's come with some approved for that system but there may be better stuff out there.. this can void the warranty though if you go with an oem chip and custom hsf I suggest arctic silver 3 as the best choice..see their webpage for use instructions
lagger

<b><font color=blue>Checking under my North<font color=red> AND</font color=red> South bridges for <font color=green>Trolls</font color=green></font color=blue>

 

[zc3]

Well I plan on gettin' an athlon xp 1700+ retail.

 

[lagger]

they will probably supply a pad or some thermal grease .. in this case<b><font color=red> <i>personally</b></font color=red></i> I would use artic silver as it beats any bundled stuff they will give you but .. it might void the warranty
lagger

<b><font color=blue>Checking under my North<font color=red> AND</font color=red> South bridges for <font color=green>Trolls</font color=green></font color=blue>

 

[zc3]

What about if I decide to use the pad or thermal grease they supply with it, can I add the arctic silver sometime later on if I decide I wanted to?
Thanks for the help btw.

 

[lagger]

yes but you will need to COMPETELY remove the old stuff and clean the HSF and chip surface with alcohol or similar solvent

lagger

<b><font color=blue>Checking under my North<font color=red> AND</font color=red> South bridges for <font color=green>Trolls</font color=green></font color=blue>