Does a Powermac G4 Sawtooth 400mhz need thermal paste?

[gibbo132]

I just took the heatsink of my G4 Sawtooth and after i had done it remembered about thermal paste. I cant seem to see any on there but will I need to put some on now?

Thanks
Chris

 

[pastrychef]

I think it came with a thermal pad on the heatsink. Removing that pad and using thermal paste may help dissipate heat better.

 

[gibbo132]

So it doesn't need it?

 

[rdowns]

Thermal paste? More like denture cream.

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

Now that I think about it, I can't recall any of my G4 Powermacs ever having thermal paste on them....

But it would always help for sure and highly recommended!

 

[pastrychef]

So it doesn't need it?

You can get away with not applying thermal paste, but, as OrangeSVTguy said, it can't hurt.

 

[calderone]

Now that I think about it, I can't recall any of my G4 Powermacs ever having thermal paste on them....

But it would always help for sure and highly recommended!

All I have encountered has a thermal pad.

Contrary to what some are saying, the claim that thermal paste is not a requirement is dependent upon the surface of the processo, the heatsink and the mounting mechanism.

In other words, if the heatsink is completely flat (doubtful) and the cpu surface is without imperfections (doubtful) and the mounting mechanism allows for proper contact then it is possible to do without thermal paste.

As I have alluded, this is rarely ever the case unless the user has intervened by "lapping" the heatsink.

Also, do not be fooled by the idea that the low speed of the processor means it does not run hot. A modern 400MHz processor may run extremely cool while a G4, given the technology at the time, probably will not run all that cool.

It also depends on the processor of course, some run hotter than others.

Cliffnotes: Use thermal paste.