Build new system or buy premade?

[EncodedNybble]

Epoch said:

EncodedNybble said:

So, I'm confused about a few things.

 

Been reading manuals, etc.  I noticed that my massive heat sink/fan that I ordered (which I may go back on, it seems a bit excessive) says to already have thermal grease applied between the heat sink and the fan.

The mobo instructional manual says to put thermal grease on top of the CPU but the heat sink/fan don't mention that at all.

So, where am I supposed to put thermal grease?  Do I even need any with the mobo and heat sink I have?

 

heat sink: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130290

Reading the specs on that heatsink it says it comes with pre-applied thermal grease MX-2 (under features). So you don't have to apply any.  You'll be able to see the grease as two grey strips on the underside of the heatsink.

Yeah, I see that but I'm not sure where that is applied.  Is that between the fan and the heatsink (would that even make sense) or would it be on the bottom of the heat sink that connects to the CPU? If it is the latter, how can they ship that without the grease coming off/getting all over the packaging?

Installation guide for heat sink and fan is here http://www.arctic-cooling.com/catalog/images/installation_Freezer_7_Pro_Rev_2.pdf and doesn't mention applying any grease between the CPU and heat sink though it does mention that some is already applied to the heat sink.

Color me confused.