e2160 retail w/stock HSF, where is the paste?

[LiteWait]

Just got a boxed e2160 from Newegg for my first budget rig and first build. My really stupid question is where is the thermal paste? Shouldn't the boxed set come with it? Is thermal paste always required?

 

[JCLW]

There is usually a thermal pad on the bottom of the the heatsink. Looks like a thin slice of plasticine. With a peel off plastic cover thingy.

Unless they've changed things.

But the third party stuff usually works better if you've got some kicking around or available nearby.

 

[dsb1829]

Yep, should be 3-4 strips in a circle pattern on the bottom of the sink. You need to remove it from the package to see it though.

 

[ou_phidelt]

It would be worth your trouble to replace it the paste. Since you would need to order just wait until you have a few extra bucks and get a freezer 7. The coolers on the 2100 series are particularly weak. You should still be able to get 3Ghz out of it.

 

[LiteWait]

Ok, you were right I removed the HSF to find the thermal paste smeared on the chip.

e2160 - L2
1GB Corsair XMS
Abit IP35-E

I've got it running on stock voltage 9x333 = 3.0Gz with CoreTemp reading 38c-40c without load. This is a machine to run Visual Studio, Office and Browsing/Email. Does that seem hot?

 

[ou_phidelt]

The important question is what the temp under load. Get either Orthos or Prime95 and see what they go to under load. Generally you want to stay under 60. You can go up to 70 and not do any damage. If yours is an M0 stepping I believe they are rated for 72 max but I am not 100% sure.