New Heatsink/Thermal paste question

[sjm80]

I should be getting all my computer parts today (other than my 8800gt) and will be doing my first build. I have one question about the Heatsink. I bought the Arctic Cooling 7 and also the Arctic Silver 5.

I have read around a bit and some people say you shouldn't bother taking the stock thermal junk off the AC7 while others say you should. Is it just a matter of preference or laziness?

 

[diduknowthat]

It's just a matter of laziness. You should always clean the heatsink before you apply a new layer of thermaltpaste. Also make sure you don't use too much!