Thermal paste roundup

When it comes to setting up a new rig, most of us if not all of us, understand that each component plays an important role in the larger system. Skimping on one item can have drastic effects on another, as in the case of an inadequate power supply and a high end GPU. The same also goes for the type of thermal paste we use. Most enthusiasts know to stay away from the generic stuff that comes packaged with CPUs and heat sinks but there are also a lot of inconsistencies when it comes to retail thermal paste. "How much is too much?" "How should it be applied?" "Does it need time to reach maximum performance?" These are just a few of the questions that many of us ask. Searching the Internet only serves to make these issues even more unclear further as manufacturers and users alike all have their own ideas when it comes to dealing with thermal paste.