I have a P4 motherboard and an Intel 2.4 Celeron processor (still in it's box) The book I have on hand shows the install of a 478 processor and emphasizes the use of the entire contents of the syringe of thermal compound which "will come with the processor". The processor doesn't have any thermal compound in the package. Does this mean I don't need it or that I have to go out and buy some first. If I buy it, is there one kind better than another?

You definitly need it.

However...

asuming you bought a processor-with-heatsink-and-fan-package, there might be a kind of patch or sticker on the bottom of the heatsink that serves the same purpose as thermal paste.

This patch does the trick, but for quality heat-management, thermal paste is your option of choice. You would need to remove the sticker, clean the heatsink and buy & apply thermal paste. (this is optional)

Best thermal paste around is still "Artic Silver III" from thermaltake as far as I know.

From the Intel Processor web page:

"Thermal Interface Material Replacement for Fan Heatsink
Thermal interface material is required for proper heat transfer from the processor to the fan heatsink. The boxed Intel Pentium 4 processor will have thermal interface material attached to the bottom of the heatsink or will be supplied with thermal interface material included in an applicator.


Thermal Interface Material Attached to the Heatsink
Intel does not recommend the removal of the thermal interface material located on the bottom of the boxed processor fan heatsink. Removal of this material may cause damage to the processor and will void the boxed processor warranty. If you must remove and re-use the fan heatsink, it will require replacement. Also, if the thermal interface material is at all damaged, you must replace the thermal interface material or the fan heatsink. Contact Intel Customer Support for assistance.
Thermal Interface Material in an Applicator
Using the boxed processor without properly applying the included thermal interface material may cause damage to the processor and will void the boxed processor warranty. If you must remove and re-use the fan heatsink, a new application of thermal interface material is required. Contact Intel Customer Support to receive additional thermal interface material in an applicator. "

You can make your own choice, as always. I however chose to use the already provided material on the bottom of the heatsink. My 2.54 GHz P4 is working well within tolerances.
Miles

Thanks for the help. This is my first "real" pc build and I wanted to make sure I had all the bases covered.

Originally posted by jayjr
... the use of the entire contents of the syringe of thermal compound which "will come with the processor". :eek:


A tube of thermal compound should be enough for about twenty processor installations!! Only a very thin film is needed, to fill the minute gaps between the processor die, and the base of the heatsink.

Using thermal paste is sort of a fine line to walk. You don't want to use too littel, but you don't want to use too much either. There are several good guides out there (http://www.google.com) discussing this and most of them agree on the important stuff ;)

Good luck building your first system by the way! I did my "first one" recently and it sure is more fun than buying some prefab-dellbox.

Intel does not recommend the removal of the thermal interface material located on the bottom of the boxed processor fan heatsink. Removal of this material may cause damage to the processor and will void the boxed processor warranty.Decisions, decisions...To void the warranty, or not to void... :confused:

Tough call...

I routinely elect to go with a different heatsink than the stock and also choose to use one that will be able to handle a 80mm fan...

I also lap my heatsinks as a matter of course...

Of course this voids the warranty...decisions, decisions... ;)