Thermal Grease Necesary?

[mattg2k4]

For a P4 2.26 processor in a case with 4 fans, is it necesary to put thermal grease on the processor?

[Alaron]

You need some kind of thermal protection between the heatsink and the processor no matter what. If your debating whether to use Arctic Silver or the pad, the pad will be fine. P4 processors run pretty cool so the pad will give you adequate cooling. Arctic Silver would be a bit better but the pad is fine.

HTH

Make sure theres AS or a pad in there though, without one of those you could damage your cpu.

[wireant]

matt,
You do not have to use thermal grease but you need something to transfer the heat to the heatsink. The only other option would be a pad. Althought the pads work they are not as effective as something like Artic Silver. I would definately use Artic Silver - there is no reason not to use it. It is not that expensive, it will last a long time, it is somewhat easy to apply ( although not as easy as a pad), and it works good.

edit- I guess we both answered the question

[Nuclear Krusader]

Between the HS and the CPU there are microscopical gaps that need to be filled in order for the heat to disipate properly. The grease just does dat. Be it pad or AS you NEED to use grease in order to prevent serious damage to your CPU.

[TimPoet]

Originally posted by Alaron56 You need some kind of thermal protection between the heatsink and the processor no matter what.

However, if you plan on overclocking, you really must use Artic Silver.

[morriswindgate]

The only time that you do not use a thermal pad or thermal compund is if you have a several extra CPUs laying around and a lot of money to waste.

[Furius92]

It's rather hellish to scrape off the pad from the socket 478 retail heatsink. It is two thin sheets of wax separated by a sheet of aluminum glued on at two pieces of aluminum on the sides Once the glue and the wax mixes it is nearly impossible to get it all off. Try sraping off the glued sides first, and the getting rid of the wax. Cheesecloth works well as it is non abrasive and lint free, but not as soft as cotton balls.

[glc]

I've done P4's with both the stock pads and AS, and there is about a 5 degree difference. If you are gonna use AS, remove the pad before you do ANYTHING else - don't even think of plopping it on with the pad or pad removal will become tedious, an unused pad comes off very easily. You take a sharp blade (an Xacto knife works very well) and work it under the pad - and it and the aluminum foil backing peels off really well, leaving 2 adhesive strips. Then you can use acetone to remove the adhesive. Finish up by lapping the heatsink on a piece of fine emery paper followed by an alcohol wash.

[tmp]

I bought the thermal grease. But when I saw that the pad comes with the heat sink, I used it not knowing better. The CPU temp is about 32 -33 degrees C. Is it bad? I still have the grease if it is needed.

[Cricket]

Hi tmp,

Those CPU temps are fine. Just leave it as it is.

Cricket

[mattg2k4]

I bought a p4 in the retail box w/ the heatsink and fan.

On the bottom of the heatsink there is a little black square of something.

Is that the pad you guys were talking about?

[Cricket]

Originally posted by mattg2k4 I bought a p4 in the retail box w/ the heatsink and fan. On the bottom of the heatsink there is a little black square of something. Is that the pad you guys were talking about?

Yes, that's the thermal pad.

Cricket

[sUsHIboI]

I run my CPU without a HSF OR CASE FANS!!!! (386 cpu....)