SPCR

I just bought an MSI P7N Diamond motherboard... Due to the configuration of stock heatpipes going to 5 locations (NB, SB, a few other places), I really can't replace the heatsinks, or at least I won't. But should I replace the stock thermal compound underneath it? Yes, I know that if I were to replace the sinks, of course I should put on some AS5 or the equivalent... But should I go out of my way to replace the compound, given that I'm NOT replacing the sinks? How much of a difference can a compound alone make?

Are you seeing high temperatures? I can't think that the compound can make a very big difference.

Wouldn't bother unless you were seeing ridiculous heat levels.

Well, the NB comes with a small fan attached to it -- it's whiny and I'm definitely not keeping it. That will increase the NB temps markedly I would think, so I'm trying to combat it. I don't know what temps are normal for this board -- I haven't been able to find that info.

I heard that you'd want to keep the temps under 80c, and about 100c would be the shutdown temp. That can't be, can it?

What is the rest of your set up? You may well get enough air movement from the CPU heatsink fan, or the case fan. I think sometimes manufacturers put fans on things to make you think they are more serious, higher performance or something. Little 40mm fans can barely move much air, so with some ducting or a baffle, you can probably direct the air flow from the much larger fans in the system.

Sorry for the delayed reply -- I'm still testing etc.

I use water-cooling on my CPU and GPU... I can not use the NB watercooling block because the proprietary heatpipe cooling sinks on this board connect to 5 locations. I could remove the NB sink but then I'd have to sever the pipes leading to the other locations. Maybe this wouldn't be suck a bad thing? I am using 4 case fans to get air movement also.