EggXpert

I love this thread, even after building my PC, thanks to all that have contributed.  And Fascist I will check out those books.

~TK

I just bought a Xeon E3110 (same as C2D E8400) retail, and it did not include any thermal grease with the HSF.  I installed it, and it idles at 42c.  Should I be concerned?  Should I buy some thermal grease and reinstall the CPU?  Is this the way all of the stock coolers work now?  I was just wondering.

 Thanks,

Ian 

You must stop using it until you apply some thermal compound. Some HSF comes with some pre-applied. Anyway, you can choose one from this category: Thermal Compound

great article but what the hell is a bios?  I am really new at building a pc from scratch, i've never done it.  this article seems geered more towards people who know these "basic" things.  this stuff about bios is the only thing preventing me from building a pc in the first place.  i wish there was a site that explained how to build a pc for any i***t out there (me).

me likey this one   http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020

Well, sorry about the late response.  I give it to assist others.  IF your Intel processor came with a heat sink/fan and you use it, you should notice a plastic wrap adhered to the heat sink that you remove, exposing three gray stripes.  This is your thermal "grease."  So you do not need to add any.  If you bought OEM, you must supply your own heatsink/ fan and usually it comes with thermal compound... though it may not be optimal.

 
Also, a processor running at 42oC without thermal grease is running pretty good.  It would certainly be safe to run until you got some thermal grease provided you do not run a processor intensive task or overclock ... and even if you did, the thermal protection package built into your CPU would shut the CPU down if you exceed the preset maximum temperature to avoid damaging your chip.  Indeed, most BIOS' would detect and shutdown before this temperature was reached unless you have set the temp up in the 80oC+ range.  Note: Without the thermal compound or pad I believe this IS considered to be operating outside the manufacturer's warranty and may void your warranty if they determine heat to be a factor in its failure.  I would NOT operate without thermal compound, I am just saying you did no damage at 42oC and could temporarily operate at that temp., especially to get your system set up and going.  I wouldn't test it out with Prime95 however;-). 

 My experience with thermal grease is it helps, sometimes greatly.  Two brands I have always seen a 5 to 7oC drop on are:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835129001

and,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007
 

For less than $8 you get about 5 - 7 applications per tube...not bad at a buck an application for a 5 degree drop in temperature. 

Thank you all so much for the pointers, and thank you Maddopps. I get all my parts today and I start my build tonight!  I would have put all the parts together without testing anything had I not read this!  NOW I KNOW!

Tiesto:

great article but what the hell is a bios?  I am really new at building a pc from scratch, i've never done it.  this article seems geered more towards people who know these "basic" things.  this stuff about bios is the only thing preventing me from building a pc in the first place.  i wish there was a site that explained how to build a pc for any i***t out there (me).

When you first boot up your computer, how does it know what it is?  The BIOS (basic input/output system) is a flash memory chip -- flash meaning you can upgrade it with software, but unlike volatile RAM (e.g, DDR2) when the power is turned off you do not lose the code stored on the chip -- built into your motherboard that stores basic code to get your computer initially booting up until your operating system can take over.  In essence it tells the computer that it is a computer, here are some of its parts and it should look at some locations (drives -- boot sectors) for further instructions.

Since it is updatable -- flashing the BIOS -- it can be used to support bigger and faster CPUs and memory as technology improves.

Adjusting (tweaking) your BIOS settings can cut boot time by several noticeable seconds, overclock, customize your opening screen with a family photo, turn off ports not in use, optimize the functions on your computer.... 

Further reading:  Start with your motherboard manual.

There are two BIOS manufacturers left standing:

Phoenix (Award) BIOS

AMI (American Megatrends, Inc.) BIOS 

Motherboard manufacturers will dramatically alter BIOS' so they will look different from each other in what they can do.  You must always make sure to use a approved BIOS version from your motherboard manufacturer or computer manufacturer (support download firmware web page) depending upon whom you purchased from IF you attempt an upgrade.  Incorrect BIOS or improperly flashed BIOS can OFTEN result in a dead motherboard.   

Maximum PC has a nice tweaking guide in the Nov. 2008 issue. [EDIT: added link]

 Other online links, some of which are dated:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/bios-a-z,1200.html 

http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/BIOS.htm

 http://www.tweaktown.com/guides/192/3

 http://www.adriansrojakpot.com/Speed_Demonz/BIOS_Guide/BIOS_Guide_Index.htm

 http://webpages.charter.net/netw_1/bios.htm

 http://www.techarp.com/freebog.aspx (don't buy the book, it is copywrited 2004)

 http://www.wimsbios.com/faq.jsp

[You can also occasionally still flash other devices on your computer, though this is usually restricted to optical disk drives nowadays -- check the manufacturer support download page with you exact model number.]