Is thermal paste absolutely necessary?

Bokteelo · Apr 5, 2009

So I'm upgrading my current computer a bit before giving it away, since I'll build my own soon for the very first time. I was wondering if thermal paste was absolutely necessary, since I forgot to order the MX-2 when ordering the upgrades... I ordered it afterwards but it doesn't seem like it'll make it here anytime soon.

Could I go a few days without thermal paste?

erocker · Apr 5, 2009

Don't do it. No.

LittleLizard · Apr 5, 2009

depends. how much u like fried cpus?

kyle2020 · Apr 5, 2009

Its pretty much vital, unless your HSF and CPU are 100% razor edge flat.

RevengE · Apr 5, 2009

Are you talking about using no thermal paste at all? As in using an aftermarket cooler with no paste? If so DO NOT DO THAT. I am using the stock heatsink with my i7 right now with the thermal paste on that and it runs hot as crap stock.

newtekie1 · Apr 5, 2009

Try it and see what temps are like, the processor and motherboard will stop you from frying anything.

Dippyskoodlez · Apr 5, 2009

If your heatsink has a pad pre-attached you can use that in the meantime, but I'd say chances are your temps won't be in a satisfactory range without it.

kiriakost · Apr 5, 2009

Add three layers of aluminum foil (between cpu + cooler ) , its in your kitchen and waiting for you ...

This could do the trick , as long as it takes .

theorw · Apr 5, 2009

Well with the current protection tech,yr pc will shut down on overheat.
The only thing u can do is bet on the time it will take to restart!!! :laugh:

r1rhyder · Apr 5, 2009

Are you serious dude?

mrhuggles · Apr 5, 2009

in my medical opinion 3 layers of aluminum foil should work better than nothing at all.

DrPepper · Apr 5, 2009

I've done it with nothing at all and its fine. You could try kiriakosts method or use a little cooking oil for a few days.

pantherx12 · Apr 5, 2009

Got a computer with no thermal paste on it, it idles at 45c

its a AMD athlon D:

So I would say wait for a bit!

SparkyJJO · Apr 5, 2009

I used to run with no thermal goop back in the pentium 1 days and even my old duron 750. Haven't since then, not a good idea.

newtekie1 · Apr 5, 2009

I really want to know what 3 layers of aluminum foil would do. The whole purpose of Thermal Paste is to fill the imperfections between the heatsink base and the CPU, all adding aluminum foil would do is add more layers of imperfections...

Dippyskoodlez · Apr 5, 2009

newtekie1 said:
I really want to know what 3 layers of aluminum foil would do. The whole purpose of Thermal Paste is to fill the imperfections between the heatsink base and the CPU, all adding aluminum foil would do is add more layers of imperfections...

Yeah, just give the mail an extra day for it to get to you

JC316 · Apr 5, 2009

Yes, absolutely necessary. You will kill your CPU without it.

Bokteelo · Apr 5, 2009

Darn, curse me for not ordering the paste along with the parts!

I realized I forgot to order it when I ordered majority of the parts for my custom build too!

radaja · Apr 5, 2009

wait for the paste.its not worth ruining a good cpu.did the cpu come with a stock heatsink? if so it probably has thermal grease pre-applied.

Bokteelo · Apr 5, 2009

It does come with a stock heatsink. I'll be sure to see if there's any paste pre-applied.

erocker · Apr 5, 2009

Stock heatsinks do come with paste pre-applied.

DrPepper · Apr 5, 2009

erocker said:
Stock heatsinks do come with paste pre-applied.

Indeed they do but even if a cpu doesn't have thermal grease and it gets too hot the motherboard will turn off anyway to prevent damage.

Dippyskoodlez · Apr 5, 2009

DrPepper said:
Indeed they do but even if a cpu doesn't have thermal grease and it gets too hot the motherboard will turn off anyway to prevent damage.

Thats like saying if I hit a pole, my cars airbag will catch me.

Still not good to do :laugh:

DrPepper · Apr 6, 2009

Dippyskoodlez said:
Thats like saying if I hit a pole, my cars airbag will catch me.

Still not good to do

Thats different though :laugh:

The safety features on the mobo will save it. I've seen a pc where the heatsink wasnt properly attached and it had been running for a few days and was fine.

3dsage · Apr 6, 2009

I'm not saying you should try this but cant you use Vasaline and Toothpaste?

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Is thermal paste absolutely necessary?

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