Windows 7: Matrix Thermal Compound Question

I have a new motherboard I just bought and want to hook up, and I'm sure it has preapplied thermal compound. My question is, should I buy more compound for the new motherboard (and transfer of CPU) or should I just install as is. The trouble is I'm not exactly sure where I can get compound from, if I have to order it online or not.

We have a best buy and a walmart, but I'm not sure if they sell it. We have a couple small computer stores, do you think they would have some?

I should also mention that I have an Asetec water cooled CPU and I haven't seen the CPU under it yet

Is thermal compound required? how much benefit is there in its application?

You wont have any problem getting anything computer related in California.
Yes, clean the old stuff off and apply a new thermal compound.
It wouldn't hurt to pick up a tube of Arctic Silver 5. It does a better job, than most thermal compounds. A good thermal compound applied correctly, will give low temps.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...WS&PageSize=20
Arctic Silver Incorporated - Route to Product Instructions for Arctic Silver 5

Those small computer shops are your best bet for finding thermal compound and getting some good stuff (like Artic Silver) too.

Yes, thermal compound is highly recommended for any connection of chips to heatsinks/coolers.

But I'm nervous about this: "should I buy more compound for the new motherboard?"
I'm sure that's just semantics, but to be sure: no compound goes on the motherboard!

If your heatsink has pre-applied thermal compound, I would use that. But if you ever have to re-mount the heatsink you will have to clean it and reapply paste. I think Radio Shack sells paste--probably Arctic Silver 5, which is OK. Be careful with it, you don't need much.

A re-application would be applied to the processor, not the heatsink. Motherboards do not require paste at all.

Actually, I just read up on it and just found that out, as it would be my first time messing with the CPU and motherboard. And thank you, I was wondering just now if I should apply the paste to the CPU or heatsink. thanks for the clarification. I need to buy some rubbing alcohol to take off any old residue, and I think I'm going to use coffee filters to do it with. should have probably looked in one of those shops but instead ordered off the internet. Thanks for the help fellas, I think I've got everything I need to get this motherboard installed.

Its going to be crazy seeing about installation, ACHI and any possible (stable) overclocking, and reinstalling windows. Going to be a couple days before my computer is as it used to be. I've saved a lot of my junk to a Flash drive to reinstall. I plan on using zip-ties to make air flow better in the system as well.

appreciated