Thermal compound or more thermal compound that is the question

[pigmond]

This question has probably been answered a thousand times before

I have just bought a new processor and CPU cooler , the cooler already had thermal compoun applied that melts to it once you turn it on my question is

I have bought some arctic silver should I
1 remove the factory applied thermal compund and just have arctic silver?
2. Add additional thermal compund keeping the existing factory applied on the cooler and adding more
3 don't bother with the arctic ice just go with factory applied stuff on it's own

p.s chip is intel quad core with intel supplied cooler I am not bothered by overclocking

Help is appriciated

Pigmond

[Blackmage]

3 don't bother with the arctic ice just go with factory applied stuff on it's own

[Infinite]

3, no point in using the artic silver if your not overclocking, the 1-4 degrees difference is hardly worth it.

[TAKTAK]

If you've already mounted it, just leave it, the zinc based does what it's meant to do. Sure others are better, but if you're not bothered about temps then just leave it.

[Ulti]

If you're not overclocking then temperatures won't really get that high and therefore, as others have said, stick with the stock thermal compound.

[GoNz0]

fyi #2 is epic fail !

[Perfectionist]

yeah, the key thing is a thin layer to provide a heat conductive "bridge" between the cpu and the cooler - fills in the tiny bumps and imperfections in the surfaces - too much and you defeat the point

[Pob255]

Also depends on the cooler, some of the aftermarket coolers come with very good thermal paste pre-applied.

[watercooled]

Especially the Arctic Cooling ones - most come applied with MX-2 which is one of the best.

[Lunar Wolf]

X2 on #2 being a bad idea. If you already have good compound use it, otherwise save your money.