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Thermal paste??

tomparker95

tomparker95

tomparker95

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Joined
9 Jan 2013
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Worthing, West Sussex
Hi, got myself a i3 3220 CPU , and was wondering when I build the pc and stuff do I need to put thermal paste on the CPU?? It came with a heatsink if that helps...



This is my first build so I probably sound abit thick :confused:
 
MX-2 although a little old now is great paste and excellent value. Worth having if you ever decide to reseat or even change your cooler.
 
Ah okay,cheers, so I should get some just in case, but not to put on when I first get it? I would have thought it has it on it already but i'll buy some just in case :)
 
tomparker95 said:
Ah okay,cheers, so I should get some just in case, but not to put on when I first get it? I would have thought it has it on it already but i'll buy some just in case :)
Click to expand...
Well, if you are gonna get the paste anyway, I would think you might as use it straight away, as the MX are definitely way better than whatever Intel is using (not to mention tiny among of).

You would need to remove the existing paste on the heatsink first though...some rubbing alchohol/surginal spirit and a pieces of clean cloth/kitchen roll would do.

As for applying the paste, just install the CPU into the socket first, and then a drop paste about the size of a grain in the center and then seat/install heatsink over it and the pressure will spread the paste. When you do the pushpin, while it doesn't matter which pushpin you do first, but just for the second one do the pin at the diagonal opposite side of the first pushpin.
 
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I bought a syringe of thermal paste for 99p and it does the job, my rig in sig never goes above 70C during a 15 hour Prime95 run.
 
Ah alright then, ill get myself some of the MX2 stuff on Amazon nearer the time of the build. Thanks a lot for the help lads, means a lot when im on my 1st ever build, don't wanna muck anything up! :)
 
I'd go for some IC Diamond it's one of the top 5 thermal pastes around. There should be a thread from a while back where someone tested the entire range of OCUk thermal paste. :p (though the MX was one of the top 5 as well if I remember right)
 
For builds using the stock heatsink I've always used the stuff already applied with no problems. A tube of MX-2 is a good idea in case you have to remove the cooler for any reason, or don't get it seated properly first time, but isn't necessary for putting it together in the first place. If this is your first build I'd keep it simple and just use the pre applied stuff.
 
The pea in the middle is fine, as used by millions. I prefer to put some on and spread it around to make sure it's covering the whole area myself. Just put your finger in a plastic bag, pull it tight and spread the paste to make sure it's all equal.
This is easier or not, depending on the paste. Some is thicker than others.
 
Cloudstomp said:
The pea in the middle is fine, as used by millions. I prefer to put some on and spread it around to make sure it's covering the whole area myself. Just put your finger in a plastic bag, pull it tight and spread the paste to make sure it's all equal.
This is easier or not, depending on the paste. Some is thicker than others.
Click to expand...

I would also second the spreading of it, depending on which platform one choose to use (1155 or 2011)
 
If (and ever you do decide to use paste not on the stock cooler) I wouldn't suggest spreading it about yourself. This can cause airbubbles in the TIM (pretty much causes more trouble than it's worth) it's much safer to just let the cooler pressure out the pea sized blob instead.
 
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