Buying a CPU - Do I really need to buy thermal paste on the side?

[OddEnthusiast]

Hi,

I was told that buying new thermal paste was mandatory when buying a CPU (I'm building my custom PC).

Is that true?

Cheers

 

[spirit]

It's advisory if you want the lowest temperatures possible.

 

[wolfeking]

what CPU are you buying? If you get an AMD CPU (FX) or k series intel, then yes. you need a cooler and paste. AS5 to be specific on the paste. Any other CPUs then you don't. You will not be able to overclock them, so slap the stock cooler on there and be fine with it.

 

[OddEnthusiast]

intel ivy bridge i5 3570 (not k)

 

[wolfeking]

you don't need paste. Just use the stock cooler and its included paste.

 

[jshun123]

I5 especially ivy series comes with bad bad thermal paste and cooler or at least it did for me ofc it will be fine for none k series since u cant oc it but i think investing 20bux for a hyper l212 is pretty good choice....