Will using a heatsink compound help reduce processor heat?
A. Yes, you can purchase a heatsink compound from Radio Shack or most electronics stores that you can apply between the CPU and heatsink/fan to help reduce processor heat. The compound helps reduce processor heat by acting as a thermal conductor which increases the amount of heat transferred from the CPU to the heatsink/fan. This helps cool the CPU. This compound also eliminates any air between the CPU and the heatsink/fan. As a result, it creates a more efficient thermal path than the standard heatsink/fan clip-on method because there is no air gap. I purchased a silicon heatsink compound at Radio Shack (Cat. No. 276-1372) that only costs a couple of dollars and works very well. Note, you should apply a paper thin layer to the surface of the core (1″ square) of the processor. Avoid applying the compound to the heatsink/fan surface itself. If you use to much its worse than not using any at all.
