CPU thermal paste problem

I recently purchased an Intel P4 2.66 Ghz retail and it came with a heat sinc (sp?) with the black thermal pad on the bottom. Now...everyone has a different opinion about the thermal pad some people say it works and some people say that I need to remove it and add paste. Intel said that thermal paste isnt necessary but since they dont accept burnup returns..I dont want to take a chance. I do not plan to overclock. Thanks

Intel's thermal pads are perfectly OK to use for most normal stuff.

If the pad gets damaged or you run a lot of high cpu usage stuff, then I'd say take off the thermal pad, get everything nice and clean and go to the paste.




--->It ain't better if it don't work<---