Do I need Artic Silver ??? Need Help Please !!!

Question

I have an Xp 2400+ with retail hs&f i think my temps are a little high i did not have compound when i put sys together but have some artic silver 2 now should i apply or just leave alone ? Also am i doing any damage by not having any compound on it at all ?
C.P.U. 53-C idle ---56-C Full Load
System 26-C idel ---30-C Full Load
Msi KT4V-L {6712}
AMD XP 2400+ {266}
1 stick 256 Megs 2700 DDR Ram PNY {333}
GeForce 5200FX 128DDR  AGP 8X
Audigy 2 Platium
Sony DvD 16X
Sony 16X DVdSony DVD-+RW
Creative Mega Works THX 5.1 {500}watts Awesome !!!
Antec Lanboy 350psu true power
Cox High Speed Internet
Thermaltake intake 3speed fan
Thermaltake exhaust 3speed fan

Answer 1

There is a lot of sense and nonsense written on heatconducting grease.  Its only objective is to fill the microscopic airpockets between the heatsink and the core of the CPU.  A pretty comprehensive test has been done comparing various materials from specialised greases, vaseline and would you believe even water!!  All materials do the job and the differences are a few degrees only at best.  Water did the job as well, but will quickly evaporate.  It just showed that any material improving the contact between core and heatsink will do.  Use a material that will not dry out. If after months or years it turns to a powdery cake the thermal contact will be gone.  Thermal pads are fine and avoid the common mistake of overgreasing.  Overgreasing with artic silver is a disaster because it is an electrical conductor too.