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Question

CPU with included heatsink and fan

Oct 10, 2015 3:39PM PDT
http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemnumber=N82E16819113359

This is part of a system upgrade I'm going to install next week.

I've never installed a CPU with it's own heatsink and fan.

Will the cooling system be pre-mounted, or will I need to apply thermal compound and fasten it down with clips like a normal heatsink?

for reference, here are the other parts of the upgrade:

http://m.newegg.com/Product?itemNumber=N82E16813130853&Keyword=msi%20a78m-e45%20v2

http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemnumber=14-500-362

http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemnumber=27-135-247


I was having video card failures, but there were some device identification problems too, which led me to a larger upgrade than just the video card.

I'm going to hold on to the case, the RAM, my HDDs, and the power supply, which I'm fairly certain aren't failing.

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
other discussion
Oct 10, 2015 3:41PM PDT
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I welcome comments about
Oct 10, 2015 5:06PM PDT

the hardware choices I made.

the only one in the list that gave me pause was ZOTAC, I've never had of that brand before

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Answer
I've yet to find any CPU with pre-mounted heatsinks.
Oct 10, 2015 4:01PM PDT

For PCs that dates me back to about 1982 with the Intel 286. From that day to today I've had to install the HSF. Except for the days with the Pentium 1 and 2 that was on a slot card.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slot_1 notes those old things.

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thanks for the reply
Oct 10, 2015 5:05PM PDT

is it worth it to go for a certain brand or quality of thermal compound?

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That's like stepping into a tar pit.
Oct 10, 2015 5:13PM PDT

Or is it a black hole? There are long discussions on the web but here's my take.

1. Just get the best seller on Newegg or Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Silver-High-Density-Polysynthetic-Compound/dp/B000OGX5AM

2. So you are ready for no return from the vortex? Read:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/thermal-paste-heat-sink-heat-spreader,3600.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/thermal-paste-performance-benchmark,3616.html

I just use what it comes with and have a dislike for pre-applied compound. Usually a little light and so I wipe it off and use a little from point 1.