Hi guys I am buying a new motherboard and CPU and need some help from you guys, here goes. Firstly, I am using an old heatsink, how should I clean off the old paste? Should I clean off the dust? And what other perperations does it require? Secondly should I put paste on the heatsink and die or only the CPU die? And when I place it on the die should I spread it on their or spread it with a card? I have heard of people doing both which is best? BTW I am getting an AMD Athlon XP 2400+ t-bred. Thank in advance for your help.

The instructions for arctic silver a pretty detailed: http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

These are the best sources for athlon xp installation information that I've come across. In fact, AMD provides step-by-step instructional guides and videos right on thier website that should answer any questions about installation. http://duxcw.com/digest/Howto/cpu/socka/1.html http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_869_4348,00.html

Those are good refs above. I have found the best way to clean off old thermal grease is with a white paper towel, one corner moistened with a little paint thinner. Lightly stroke the CPU and the bottom of the heatsink until both are clean & shiny with no residue "haze". Also, notice on the CPU that there are tiny contacts on either side of the CPU; make sure there is no dirt/old grease clogging them.