newbie daft questions start here.

[DampDog]

OK no apologies for being a newbie we've all been there...

So the day has come when I've finally decided to build a new system, last time I built as system was 6-7 years back so things have moved on.

I've plumbed for a i5 760 2.8Ghz (unclocked) Cooling fan I've gone for is Gelid Tranquillo and my case choice is a CoolerMaster 690 II.

So here's where the daft questions start.

1. Gelid comes complete with thermal compound, should I go with that or buy something else? In the past I've used the thermal pads that are less messy.

2. How do you apply it? one big dollop in the middle, several little blobs, stripes? I assume the idea is to cover the whole surface to avoid an 'hotspots'

3. Air flow? How should I be setting up the fans? in particular which way should the CPU fan be pointing.

I know it's all sort of trivial stuff, but if you don't ask you don't learn?

 

[d_brennen]

1. If not OCing (a crime with an i5, I believe) then the thermal grease with the cooler will be fine

2. People have their prefered methods - I just put a small blob in the middle of the CPU and squeeze the cooler against it, twisitng slightly. You can take the cooler away and see the result. If it hasn't covered the IHS on the CPU then it isn't enough, wipe clean and try again

3. Not sure about that case. Does it have a top or rear 120mm extractor fan? I'd aim the cooler in the same direction as the best exit airflow myself

 

[DampDog]

1. If not OCing (a crime with an i5, I believe) then the thermal grease with the cooler will be fine

Lol... Early days yet I'll have to get it all screwed together first..

Yeah case has more fans than ManU at the moment, I'm just starting to unbox the beastie now, I'll suss out which way they all point and come up with a cunning plan..