Which thermal compound to buy?

[BobaFettK]

Well, since I had to RMA my motherboard, I had to remove the cooling fan and cpu, which means I'll have to buy thermal compound to remount the heatsink. Is there a preferred brand? Is there a brand I should avoid?

Also, what is the recommended method and material for cleaning the old thermal compound off of the processor and heatsink?

(Out of curiosity, why is it necessary to remove the thermal compound just to replace it with more thermal compound? Seems kind of silly and illogical, doesn't it?)

[The Wise Monkey]

The best thermal compound is Arctic Silver 5:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

Arctic Silver's website has a good guide to applying their thermal paste:

http://www.arcticsilver.com/ins_route_step2intelas5.html

Here is a guide to removing thermal paste:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/274/4


I know, lots of links, but I can't be bothered to explain it all. :D

You should always put a new layer of thermal compound on so there is no space between the processor and the grease. Its not 100% necessary, but its much better to be safe than sorry. :)

[chunkylover53]

Shame I can't send you the rest of my Arctic Sliver 5. It will be ages before I build a new machine, and there's probably enough in one tube for 4-5 applications.

You should have seen me cleaning my processor...:o I must have looked like a complete horse's arse with gloves and alcohol, like I was doing surgery or something. Heh heh. Good times.