Did My Heatsink Come With Grease/Paste Preapplied?

I was prefitting my newly arrived heatsink and fan. It is a coolermaster combo that came prefitted with the fan to the heatsink. The heatsink had plastic tray covering the contact point with the processer. I removed it and began prefitting the assembly to the processor. That is what I noticed the heatsink had paste/grease already applied. I assume that is what it was. It was grey and very thick. If this is the case, I don't think I am going to need to purchase if that is case. Is included thermal compound safe to use?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Some heatsinks come with paste or a pad already applied, it's a common thing. How thick is the grey stuf? That's cuz if you apply too much paste (or have it pre-applied ) it will do no work.

 

Sailor -

It was razor thin. It seemed to be just the right amount. I was pretty sure of what it was, it just caught me off guard. I had never seen it preapplied like that. But of course I built my last rig about 2 years ago and I think I bought the heatsink and fan seperate and I had to apply my own paste.

Thanks for the verification.