i got a amd athlon x2 5200+ processor w/heatsink. does the heatsink already have thermal grease on it? i don't see it on the processor. but there is plastic on the bottom of the heatsink with a square in the middle of it where the processor fits into and inbetween the heatsink and the plastic is a grey compound. it's not a perfect fit to the plastic there is some BUBBLES in it. is this the thermal grease? or do i need to buy some to put on the processor? i have been having problems with he cpu overheating when i'm playing mmo's and that's the only conclusion i can come up with. either that or i need a new mobo or a bigger heatsink or a better tower like intercooled or something.The grey compound is the thermal grease but the way you describe it makes me think that it's STILL in the packet. Usually the thermal grease comes in a plastic packet. you squeeze it out and paste it across the interface then screw down the heatsink.


FBI would check the instruction manual for that CPU...some manuf. do it differently and too much is just as harmful as not enough...ya there is plastic in between the heat sink and the processor. there isn't any thermal grease on the processor cuz the compound is in the heatsink on the other side of the plastic.  the manual says it comes with it and gives me instructions on how to put it on should i want to put another compound on there and to go to amd's website to see approved thermal compounds. i dloaded cputemp and it's sitting at 41 degrees celsius now but as soon as i load warhammer or world of warcraft it heats up and kicks me out saying to hot powering down now i cancel it and it's at 101 degrees and starts going down when i'm not in game and when i tab back in it goes up and TABS me back out.Remove the "protective" plastic film cover (from the thermal paste) before installing the heatsink.  It is blocking the flow of heat from the processor to the heat sink. Quote from: PATIO on October 07, 2008, 05:40:09 AM

I would check the instruction manual for that CPU...some manuf. do it differently and too much is just as harmful as not enough...