CPU Gel - What Is It & Do I Need It?

Yes you will need some thermal paste look for artic silver 5 is the best IMHO

http://www.arcticsilver.com/instructions.htm



most first time users put on twice as much as they need making it ooze out over the edges of the cpu socket yoiu only need a dab about the size of a BB gun BB

then evenly spread across the CPU die with a credit card

As an alternative, as AMD recommends, use thermal pads. They are a lot less messy and easier to apply. A lot of heatsinks/fans come with them already applied.

Hi,

While thermal pads are less messy and do a decent job of helping your cooling solution, it does not do the job that Artic Silver does. The factory thermal pad will cause the CPU to have higher temps than the thermal paste solution.

Therefore, I must agree with linderman that Artic Silver is the way to go if you want the best cooling solution. All the techs on here and those that own shops normally do not use the factory thermal pad.

I do know that the factory thermal pads are good to see if you can hit the wastebasket across the room. :4-dontkno

If you check on here, all the techs recommend Artic Silver or an equivalent thermal solution.

We all have our opinions and that is mine.

I just think pads are easier for new users. Paste is still the best way of keeping cool, but if your not really after performance then Pads are fine.

BrianTwigley said:

I just think pads are easier for new users. Paste is still the best way of keeping cool, but if your not really after performance then Pads are fine.

Click to expand...

Hi,

Can't argue with you on that one Brian.

My CPU used a thermal pad for about 2 years. I recently removed it and put AS5 compound in its place. I've noticed a slight dip in overall temperatures, but nothing greatly significant.