I see my new P4 3.0 heatsink (Intel) already has a block of heatsink grease/putty on the copper bottom.Have any of you also used more grease on them or just let it go with the Intel factory installed grease ?I can't see how adding any more can do much good with this goo already stuck to the copper block of the heatsink.. Might also void the warranty if they find it there ? Opinions ?(could have saved some money if I had known it already had grease):-)

Remove it, its crap.Use grease only. ;)

Will do John, hope it comes off easy....Do you have any links to discussion on the subject ?

I trust you caught the sarcasm in John's message. :)When it comes to thermal grease, LESS IS MORE! The block of grease adheared to the bottom of the heatsink on the retail P4/3.0 is probably the "perfect" amount. The heat generated by the chip helps to soften the grease, and the compression action of the heatsink clamp move that softened material aside, leaving behind the perfect amount of grease for optimal heat transfer. I got a syringe of the goop with my chip as well, and I saved it for when I transferred motherboards or otherwise removed the fan. This secondary grease doesn't seem to change consistancy with heat, so it's important to use only a very thin layer when the time comes. Nothing but a suprisingly thin, even layer is needed to fill in the surface gaps in the die and the sink, making for a more even surface for the heat to transfer. If you put too much, the grease will begin to act as an insulator, keeping heat in. If you put too little, the heat would have a harder time transferring to the heatsink because there isn't enough surface contact. And just in case you DIDN'T catch it, I'll be the foolish sucker to bite on John's joke as seriousness (just in case!) and say Yeah, you do need the fan and heatsink. :)Good luck - enjoy the processor...=Greg

>I trust you caught the sarcasm in John's message. :)>>When it comes to thermal grease, LESS IS MORE! The block of>grease adheared to the bottom of the heatsink on the retail>P4/3.0 is probably the "perfect" amount. The heat generated by>the chip helps to soften the grease, and the compression>action of the heatsink clamp move that softened material>aside, leaving behind the perfect amount of grease for optimal>heat transfer. I got a syringe of the goop with my chip as>well, and I saved it for when I transferred motherboards or>otherwise removed the fan. This secondary grease doesn't seem>to change consistancy with heat, so it's important to use only>a very thin layer when the time comes. >>Nothing but a suprisingly thin, even layer is needed to fill>in the surface gaps in the die and the sink, making for a more>even surface for the heat to transfer. If you put too much,>the grease will begin to act as an insulator, keeping heat in.>If you put too little, the heat would have a harder time>transferring to the heatsink because there isn't enough>surface contact. >>And just in case you DIDN'T catch it, I'll be the foolish>sucker to bite on John's joke as seriousness (just in case!)>and say Yeah, you do need the fan and heatsink. :)>>Good luck - enjoy the processor...>=GregSarcasm??No, I absolutely saw NO reason not to believe him and took him to mean that aftermarket grease is better than what Intel supplies, and removed it so I could use a 5% copper 5% silver grease. I made a layer no thicker than what was on it from the factory.I did make the swap based on his reply. IF it was a "joke" (which I don't believe) it's dangerous to kid around at the wrong times. In person maybe, but not with the typed word. IMO of course.

> "Use grease only"THAT's the line that made me think he was joking - especially with the winky-smilie on the end... As in: Use grease only, and DON'T use a fan!!! Aahh, but now I see that he meant don't use the Intel supplied stuff, and only use the aftermarket. This makes MUCH more sense now. And yeah, I'd agree that the "specialized" stuff is probably better at heat transfer than the attached putty.Oh well,-Greg

>> "Use grease only">>THAT's the line that made me think he was joking - especially>with the winky-smilie on the end... >>As in: Use grease only, and DON'T use a fan!!! >>Aahh, but now I see that he meant don't use the Intel supplied>stuff, and only use the aftermarket. This makes MUCH more>sense now. And yeah, I'd agree that the "specialized" stuff is>probably better at heat transfer than the attached putty.>>Oh well,>-GregGreg, Well, we can only hope that he checks back in and makes it clear to all :-)I think the "winky face" ment "just a little free TIP for you" rather than "just kidding"Doesn't matter much in other forums, but can sure spell trouble if misunderstood in a tech talk.. something to keep in mind for the future.Best,

>I see my new P4 3.0 heatsink (Intel) already has a block of>heatsink grease/putty on the copper bottom.>>Have any of you also used more grease on them or just let it>go with the Intel factory installed grease ?>>I can't see how adding any more can do much good with this goo>already stuck to the copper block of the heatsink.. >>Might also void the warranty if they find it there ? >>Opinions ?>>(could have saved some money if I had known it already had>grease):-)Yeah,don't put anymore on,too much will do as much damage as none. It is grease,but its thermal grease meaning it has to fill microscopic pores in the HSF and your CPU die and then be able to transfer heat from the die to the heatsink. Those solid pads do the job by turning slightly liquid when hot and then solid when cooling back down.Most all HSF will come with a "pad" which is covered by a piece of tape or they will include a small tube of thermal grease. Supplied pads or grease will work,grease like Artic Silver 3 or 5 works better and is about 99% non-conductive. Most of these greases will conduct electricity so you have to be carefull about not getting it on the Mobo. Put it on thin,about the thickness of two sheets of printer paper. If you take the supplied grease off, clean both surfaces with alcohol and don't touch the HS or the die with fingers,the grease will fill the pores.After putting in a new CPU I usually go into the BIOS and monitor the temps,they'll slowly climb and then stablize but it pays to keep close watch for 30 minutes or so.David

:-lolNo, I wasn't being sarcastic. :) I didn't mean don't use a heatsink/fan, unless you want to kill your nice new CPU in a matter of seconds :-hahBy saying use only grease I meant not using the combo of the head pad and grease at the same time.The 'head pad' on the base of the Intel heatsinks are crap. They don't do a very good job and are better off being removed. Easiest way to do this is to scrape it off with a hobby blade. Also use something like Nail Polish Remover to clean up any traces left behind.

You can bet I'll be watching those temps for a while :-)Thanks everyone, should get to fire it up soon I think.. several nit picking things to do and then check over everything a few more times.Been waiting for new system so I could switch from FS02 to FS04 so can't wait to get in the air :-) After much downloading again !