Phil Pease wrote:
Does a heatsink, cpu fan, thermal paste come with a retail cpu (AMD 2500+)
or do I need to buy these items?

They come with it. I bought a 2500+ a couple months ago. The stock
setup is adequate for minor overclocking. It came with a wax-like layer
of thermal interface material (TIM) on the HS. Install the HSF BEFORE
installing the mobo. The TIM is easily and harmlessly removed with
coffee filters and 91% isopropyl alcohol if you have to. Then you can
use some aftermarket thermal compound. But don't: just get it right the
first time.

That's a great processor BTW---great choice.