Question CPU needs thermal compound or not ?

[cool09]

Do you need to use compound when installing a CPU? Saw a video where no thermal compound was used.

 

[Lutfij]

I think you mean thermal paste. If that's what you're saying, the answer is realtive tot he processor you're working with If the processor you're with right now has a boxed cooler and you're not going for an aftermarket cooler, then the thermal paste will be preapplied on the bottom of the stck cooler. If it's an aftermarket cooler, they will come with a tube of thermal paste.

To get more context in your predicament, what processor are you referring to here and what is the make and model of the motherboard and cooler you're trying to pair said processor with?

Saw a video where no thermal compound was used.
Please pass on said video.

 

[USAFRet]

Do you need to use compound when installing a CPU? Saw a video where no thermal compound was used.

Thermal paste?
Yes, you must have some.
The least amount the better...it is hard to put too little on it.
But there must be some.

A video you saw that used none?
1. Link please
2. That person should never be listened to again. For anything.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

If the CPU has an integrated heat spreader (most do on desktop) you can install a cooler without paste, it just will severely negatively impact cooling performance.

If this is bare die like a laptop, no paste will probably cause hot spots that thermal throttling can't account for and kill it.

 

[cool09]

This is video I saw. No paste used.

View: https://youtu.be/UTKxMAnFHnw?si=ZhfISMz9wVGrw5B0

 

[USAFRet]

This is video I saw. No paste used.

View: https://youtu.be/UTKxMAnFHnw?si=ZhfISMz9wVGrw5B0

He had not gotten to the part where the thermal paste needs to be applied.

It goes on top of the CPU, not between the CPU and the pins.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Your cpu cooler generally will either come with some pre applied or with some in an included tube/packet, if you are worried about if you need to buy any for a build

 

[cool09]

He had not gotten to the part where the thermal paste needs to be applied.

It goes on top of the CPU, not between the CPU and the pins.

Ok. I don't think my CPU has a cooler on top of it.

 

[USAFRet]

Ok. I don't think my CPU has a cooler on top of it.

Yes it does.

 

[Misgar]

Ok. I don't think my CPU has a cooler on top of it.

If your CPU doesn't have a cooler, get one and fit it.

The last computer I had which didn't need a heatsink/cooler had a 3.3W Intel 80286 (back in 1983). Every computer I've owned since then required a CPU cooler.

Ignoring low power Raspberry Pi systems, most modern desktop CPUs need a big heatsink/fan or water block/pump/radiator to remove excess heat.

A small amount of thermal compound fills the microscopic voids (air gaps) between the CPU's Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) and the heatsink or water block. Although they might appear perfectly smooth, the IHS and heatsink are not completely flat when viewed under a high powered microscope.

This diagram shows a magnified view of the air gap without Thermal Interface Material (TIM) - see left hand image. The right hand image shows the effect of filling the air gap with a really thin layer of thermal compound.
https://krafab.com/thermal-interface-materials/

If you want a guide on how to install a cooler, read this guide:
https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/apply-thermal-paste-to-your-cpu

If the cooler does not come with pre-applied thermal compound, you must add your own. If you remove a cooler from a CPU, you should clean both surfaces and remove all traces of the old compound, then apply new compound. I use Isopropyl Alcohol for cleaning.

 

[CountMike]

If your CPU doesn't have a cooler, get one and fit it.

The last computer I had which didn't need a heatsink/cooler had a 3.3W Intel 80286 (back in 1983). Every computer I've owned since then required a CPU cooler.

Ignoring low power Raspberry Pi systems, most modern desktop CPUs need a big heatsink/fan or water block/pump/radiator to remove excess heat.

A small amount of thermal compound fills the microscopic voids (air gaps) between the CPU's Integrated Heat Spreader (IHS) and the heatsink or water block. Although they might appear perfectly smooth, the IHS and heatsink are not completely flat when viewed under a high powered microscope.

This diagram shows a magnified view of the air gap without Thermal Interface Material (TIM) - see left hand image. The right hand image shows the effect of filling the air gap with a really thin layer of thermal compound.
https://krafab.com/thermal-interface-materials/

If you want a guide on how to install a cooler, read this guide:
https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/apply-thermal-paste-to-your-cpu

If the cooler does not come with pre-applied thermal compound, you must add your own. If you remove a cooler from a CPU, you should clean both surfaces and remove all traces of the old compound, then apply new compound. I use Isopropyl Alcohol for cleaning.

386 didn't need a cooler unless overclocking. 486 was first one that came with a built on passive cooler, those 200MHz or higher with small ventilator.

 

[MJS WARLORD]

Just a quick heads up guys .... none of you mentioned the cpu's have a very thin film of clear plastic on the top of them that is easily missed.

 

[Misgar]

386 didn't need a cooler unless overclocking.

Well spotted.

I overclocked a 386 and a 65C02, but I still have a couple of 386SX in an ESD box with no heatsinks. No idea where the motherboards went.

none of you mentioned the cpu's have a very thin film of clear plastic on the top of them that is easily missed.

I normally find it's the base of the air cooler heatsink (or water block) which has the plastic film protecting it from damage, if there's no thermal paste pre-applied.

The CPUs often come in a plastic clamshell which provides sufficient protection.