Motherboard chipset question

[JayNel]

Hey all, I'm currently pulling apart my old computer and rebuilding it from scratch in order to learn how to build a computer. When I pulled it apart, I removed the chipset heatsink to have a look at it and the chip.

First question, is it even necessary to have a form of cooling on the chipset like a heatsink? I'm not sure how hot they get, I'll only be using it to play an odd game or two. If it isnt necessary, there is some hardened thermal compound on the chip, will I need to remove that before powering up for the first time?

If it is necessary, will I need to remove the old hardened thermal compound and replace it with some fresh one? Or can I just put the heatsink back on as is? You remove old thermal compound with rubbing alcohol right?

My mobo is an a8n sli se with an nforce4 sli chipset if that matters.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[zhihao50]

some times those chip do get hot especially in the older system and high end ones where the temp in the case is higher.

Its always better to have some cooling for them, you can put the heatsink back and it will work partially, but not as optimally as when they got new thermal compound. If you can replace the thermal compound then do it.

 

[JayNel]

Thanks for the awesome responses!

On the rubbing alcohol, is there a specific type I need? Can you only get it in computer shops? (I'm in Australia)

Also, can you used it to clean every component of the computer?

Sorry for all the questions..