intel heat sink thermal pad

[xopo]

My stock intel hsf w the 2.26 chip has a grey covering on the silver thermal pad.
Is this grey stuff a thermal paste that i leave on and install as is.

There is no tape covering this stuff.

[Mr N8]

Yes, leave the thermal pad as it is. It is like a thermal paste.

[xopo]

Thought so just wanted confirmation as it is my first build.
thnx