Thermal Paste/Thermal Pad?

IwantanewPC · 13 Apr 2006 at 17:40

I am confused....

If you are someone building a PC with no intentions to overclock.. which should you use?

Is it true you should use a thermal pad if you intend not to remove the heatsink for a long time, and paste if you are going to be ocassionally removing the heatsink?

Do all AMD processors come with thermal pads/paste?

IwantanewPC · 13 Apr 2006 at 18:42

By the lack of response I can only assume this is a dumb question..

cavemanoc · 13 Apr 2006 at 18:47

The pastes are a lot better (get some Arctic Silver 5) There's nothing wrong with the pads, they just don't perform as well (although there are some high quality/price ones out there!)

Make sure you read the instructions from the makers, makes quite a big difference!

Rob43 · 13 Apr 2006 at 18:49

Both pad & paste are ok.You will probably get better temps using paste,but better off using AS5.

Retail heatsinks usually come with a pad attached

IwantanewPC · 13 Apr 2006 at 18:55

What about only using paste if you plan to remove the heatsink a short distance in the future?

Can paste be used long term?

Pipe & Slippers · 13 Apr 2006 at 19:50

Removing a pad after it's melted is more of a pain than removing paste (think of weetabix on a cereal bowl - well sort of)

Quality pastes shouldn't dry out, so should be fine long term.