Thermal concerns...

[glimmer]

I am putting together a intel box with a 1.7Ghz P4 478 socket and a Abit TH7II Mobo. When istalling the processer last night I noticed that some of the "stock" thermal material had chipped off when I seated my heatsink the first time.
1) Should I take the stock material off (with alcohol) and use some sort of thermal paste like Arctic Silver.
2) How does the fan/heatsink that comes in the retail box rate. (I'm not going to overclock it just yet but I want to have the option).

Thankzz

[StarTraveller]

I think it'd always be better to use AS2 rather than the pads/TIMs a lot of HSFs ship with. Just make sure you completely clean the pad/TIM off :).

I don't know about the performance of the stock HSF, though ...

[batboy]

Definitely get that crappy heat tape/pad off that heatsink and use a good thermal paste. It really makes a cooling difference, sometimes up to several degrees. Those retail HSF on the P-4 CPUs are ok if you're not overclock them and if you have case ventilation. But, I'd definitely get a better CPU cooler if you ever plan to overclock that system. I've heard good things about that Abit mobo. Good luck.

[Sohryu Asuka Langley]

PIVs come with cruddy dark grey thermal compund :( I wouldn toverclock if you dont have super super cooling, because if it gets to hot the CPU will just slow down a la speed step style :(

[deez]

whenever you take off your heatsink or mess with your chip it is best to clean chip good with alcohol or tronic clean and apply new thermal grease

[TC]

Always get rid of that crap that comes with heatsinks - mineral spirits dissolves it well, then use alcohol or acetone to clean off the mineral spirits and any residue.