Yes, some new CPUs are provided with thermal paste to help with heat management.
Yes, some new CPUs are provided with thermal paste to help with heat management.
I’m planning to install a new i7-9700k and motherboard soon. I understand that coolers usually come with pre-applied thermal paste, but I don’t plan to replace it since it still works well. Because I can’t visit the shop due to distance and COVID restrictions, I’d like to find out beforehand what I’ll need. Should I purchase thermal paste or will it be included with the CPU?
Cpus aren't included with thermal paste, which means you'll have to purchase additional paste if needed.
Ryzen has thermal paste applied to the included cooler, meaning if you make a mistake during installation, you’ll need additional paste. For aftermarket coolers, paste is usually provided, sometimes pre-applied for AIO units. You should only purchase more paste if you’re dissatisfied with the included one or if you install the cooler multiple times and have issues. Noctua offers just enough paste for a single attempt; since my D15s was tough to install, I ended up buying more. I opted for Noctua’s own paste.