CPU thermo paste

[ftgml]

I am trying to build a PC. The retale box Intel E6400 CPU I bought from eBay had been opened and the thermo paste was not included with the CPU and the Heatsink/fan.
At the bottom of the heatsink, there is some kind of materials sort of printed on the shining smooth surface. ?Should I put the thermo paste onto this surp[hase or do I need to remove the material first?
Also, can I use the thermo paste coming with a third party heat sink/fan?

Thanks

 

[bigbear]

That is the the thermal pad attached to the heat sink

 

[fairnooks]

You want shiny metal to shiny metal contact between the cpu and heatsink base with just the slightest bit of paste inbetween. If that material is a little sticky and was covered with plastic, that is a manufacturer-applied themal paste layer, no need for more. Most people put on way too much paste, I don't pay much attention to what brand I'm using but you should be fine with just about any thermal paste that is included with a well-known heatsink manufacturer.

 

[win2kpro]

If the cooler is a standard Intel cooler with a pre-applied thermal pad, DO NOT add any additional thermal compound.

 

[win2kpro]

Here are pics of the two types of thermal pads used on standard Intel coolers.

 

[liquorish]

Some heat sinks come with a graphite compound that is grey and very soft.