Do you still need thermal paste when you have a water cooler for your CPU?

[JLM0204]

As the title says, I am planning to build a rig with a i7 6700k CPU that has the Cooler master nepton 240 m to cool it, so do I still need some thermal paste on the CPU when it already has a water cooler?
And if so how do I apply it and what is the best one?

 

[Multipack]

Yes you need it, but it will come pre-applied on the cooler's copper plate.

 

[JLM0204]

Yes you need it, but it will come pre-applied on the cooler's copper plate.

so I don't need to buy anything?

 

[bignastyid]

Yes it's still required and the cooler will likely come with some that may or may not be pre-applied.

 

[Multipack]

My mistake, that model cooler hasnt got it pre-applied, but it does come with paste. You will need to apply it yourself. Nothing else is needed no.

 

[JLM0204]

My mistake, that cooler isnt pre-applied, but it does come with paste. You will need to apply it yourself. Nothing else is needed no.

thanks

 

[aquielisunari]

As the title says, I am planning to build a rig with a i7 6700k CPU that has the Cooler master nepton 240 m to cool it, so do I still need some thermal paste on the CPU when it already has a water cooler?
And if so how do I apply it and what is the best one?

Yes you need it, but it will come pre-applied on the cooler's copper plate.

That unit comes with a tube of thermal compound(syringe style). That little syringe is enough for 20+ applications. DO NOT THINK YOU SHOULD USE IT ALL!!!! Watch a YouTube cideo or 3 on the correct way to apply thermal paste.

My CPU came in a clamshell like

I used the edge of it to spread a tiny(about the size of a normal grain of rice(not long) dab on the CPU lid. I then did the same to the heatsink and spread it over to and onto the heatsink pipes. Understand I am applying an ultrathin layer. Paint that is applied to walls is thicker than the amount of thermal paste one should use. You are looking to fill microscopic valleys and level microscopic peaks. A sort of tape and float(drywall repair, sorry) without the tape.

In short, yes it comes with paste. Yes, all CPUs that use a heatsink need thermal compound. No it isn't pre-applied like Intel does with their non-K units. Be careful, watch some videos and make sure you notice the orientation point on the CPU that needs to line up to the orientation point on the motherboard(read socket). Take it slow. Avoid needless mistakes.

 

[Multipack]

Corsair pre-apply their paste, as do some Kraken models. And just put a small pea sized dab of paste on center of cpu. Simple as that. Thats all it needs. The heat of CPU and pressure of heatplate then spreads it evenly.

 

[aquielisunari]

Corsair pre-apply their paste, as do some Kraken models. And just put a small pea sized dab of paste on center of cpu. Simple as that. Thats all it needs. The heat of CPU and pressure of heatplate then spreads it evenly.

As you can see the way to apply the compound/paste varies. Multipack's choice is the popular one. Simple, correct and quick.

I get retentive and need to make sure I have 100% coverage. Pea size? What if I put too much and it leaks out the sides ruining my socket? What if.... Just be careful.