P4 heatsink retail question

[Hulaboy]

I have a question in regards to the P4 heatsinks that come along with the retail version. SPAMYou see, I've always bought OEM CPUs that do not come with fans and heatsinks. SPAMThis is actually the first time that I've bought a retail one. SPAMSo, I'm about to start building the new machine and I ran into something that isn't documented in the P4 manual. SPAMThere's this black stuff on the bottom of the heatsink. SPAMI've attached a photo of it and I was wondering if I need to apply any heatsink compound to this or if this was in fact is the heatsink compound itself.

Of course, I know that the new P4's have the new thermal design built-in but I really don't want to test that out right now. SPAM;) SPAMI'm sure someone knows something about this here so thanks for the help!

[wizbones]

You can mount it as is and you'll be alright, but if you have some compound laying around it wouldn't hurt to dab a bit in there just for good measure SPAM::)

Usually the boxed version comes with it. Find it strange this one didn't.

[Hulaboy]

Great! Just like what I'd like to hear. SPAMI'll put a little dab of compound there for extra good measure. SPAMThanks again for the feedback!

[ChasMan]

That black goop is the compound. It is special compound too. Snyhow It is covered just not clearly in the manual. I think it is pre-aplied so you don't forget to do it.

When you put the heat sink on you are not suposed to twist it as this causes the goop to be spread unevenly.

[coffejor]

It's called heatsink tape and is used by alot of computer companys because it is faster to apply than traditional compound. It is basically tinfoil covered in a harder form of compound. I work at Omni-Tech Computer Corporation and we use it on all our heatsinks.

*Note: Refrain from taking the heatsink of repeatedly (or handling it too rough) because the compound slowly begins to where off the foil and won't cool as effectively.