thermal paste

[mcfelpe]

how crucial is a thermal paste to you CPU's performance?

[esa193]

your cpu will die with out it
just kiss your system goodbye

[mammikoura]

Originally Posted by esa193

your cpu will die with out it
just kiss your system goodbye

depends on the cpu.
But it is very crucial because without it the heatsink and the cpu will not have good contact and the temps will be huge since the heatsink can't do it's job properly.

[cwharms]

If your heat spreader and HS are perfectly true, it doesn't matter at all. However, I doubt thats the case.

[kchi55]

To a CPUs immediate performance, thermal paste means nothing, but give it time and heat warnings will be popping up all over your desktop. That being said, thermal paste is integral in the performance of a computer, it keeps it.. working.

[aowen416]

The thermal paste essentially acts as liquid metal. It fills in the "gaps" the heat sink doesn't touch. If your heat sink made absolutely PERFECT contact with your CPU, you wouldn't need it...but this isn't the case. It conducts the heat, so that your heat sink can dissipate it. It's absolutely essential.