Is thermal paste necessary?

I just got an E2200, and was wondering if I really need the stuff. Is thermal paste necessary?
Yes, unless if you buy a seperate heatsink and it comes with it pre-applied. Is thermal paste necessary?
Absolutely. Thermal paste (a thin film of it) is necessary to allow proper heat transfer from your CPU to the heatsink above.
If there's already a thermal pad on the heatsink that comes with the processor (presuming you bought retail not oem) that will work just fine. If you're plannng on overclocking you might want a better substance such as Arctic Silver. But for stock the pad works fine.
[QUOTE=''WDT-BlackKat'']If there's already a thermal pad on the heatsink that comes with the processor (presuming you bought retail not oem) that will work just fine. If you're plannng on overclocking you might want a better substance such as Arctic Silver. But for stock the pad works fine.[/QUOTE]I don't plan on doing any overclocking, so that should be fine. Thanks very much for the quick (and informative) response.
ABSOLUTELY WITHOUT A DOUBT!!!Never ever ever install any type of processor without paste/heatsink and fan or other cooling solution.your system will shut down probably faster than windows takes to load. Not joking, I've heard of peoples processors smoking in seconds after being powered on.even if it's cold where the computer is, it WILL shut down, most likely (meaning it will) causing irreparable damage to the processor and possibly other components in your system.If you are unsure of where to put it or how much, it goes between the processor and heatsink (not between the processor and motherboard) and about a pea-sized dab should be enough, just follow the instructions on the tube of thermal paste.http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE%26N=2010110085+4802%26name=Top+Sellers
[QUOTE=''xboxdudeman800'']I just got an E2200, and was wondering if I really need the stuff. [/QUOTE]you see your avatar? if you install a CPU without any thermal paste (manully or pre-applied) your CPU is going to go where that dude now resides.
without Thermal paste ur PC will overheat
Everyone is correct in saying you need it, or at least should use it. But no one has really said why. In a perfect world, with PERFECTLY flat IHS's and HSF's there would be no need for thermal paste.Thermal paste is there to fill in the microscopic gaps that are on basically all surfaces. To try and achive a 100% contact area. In theory if your CPU's IHS and you HSF's base is flat enough you could run without thermal paste. And depending on how flat would determine how good the temps are.Check out the this video, especial the last 10 or so seconds.
So will the thermal pad that comes with the stock heat sink be okay?
[QUOTE=''xboxdudeman800'']So will the thermal pad that comes with the stock heat sink be okay?[/QUOTE]Yes, it will be ok. All the lectures people have been spouting presumed you meant ''Do I need to use thermal paste as opposed to using nothing?'' Whereas I understood what you meant.
[QUOTE=''WDT-BlackKat''][QUOTE=''xboxdudeman800'']So will the thermal pad that comes with the stock heat sink be okay?[/QUOTE]Yes, it will be ok. All the lectures people have been spouting presumed you meant ''Do I need to use thermal paste as opposed to using nothing?'' Whereas I understood what you meant.[/QUOTE]thank you.