Noob question AGAIN !!! but im learning slowly

[UK_MADMONSTA]

does a new cpu come with a heatsink and fan or do you have to buy it separat <<spelling lol

[JDowdall]

im not sure as im also sort of a noob but i think now you can buy jsut the cpu but most normal ones come with both

[UK_MADMONSTA]

ok next question is do the heat sinks come with thermal paste already applied or do i need to get some and if so how much do i put on

[Taxation]

depends on what cpu it is
if OEM, then no heatsink
if retail box, yes, comes with heatsink

it should have thermal paste on it
if it doesnt,then use a small pea sized amount of thermal paste on the cpu, put the heatsink on, remove heatsink to see if the thermal paste has spread enough, and viola

[JDowdall]

I second what tax said and make sure you take off the plastic cover on the cpu so you dont waste half of the thermal paste :p yes i did do that

[UK_MADMONSTA]

LOL cheers lads

[teknokid]

the retail coolers tend to be quite loud!

[Taxation]

not really, mine was quite quiet, but then again, watercooling is even more quiet.

But if noise is a concern then you can always upgrade the cooler, but test the stock cooling and see what happens from there

[teknokid]

i heard the ones for core 2 duo are quite reasonable on noise.