Your tech works hard to keep up with your busy digital life. Thermal paste is vital to the function of your computers and other devices as it works to keep them cool.
Need to know how to apply thermal paste to CPU and GPU? We have plenty of information below.
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What Exactly Is Thermal Paste?
Thermal paste, also known as thermal grease or thermal compound, is designed to transfer the heat away from your CPU and GPU and into the heatsink. You can typically find a thin layer of thermal paste between the processor and the heatsink.
This process takes heat away from CPU and GPU parts and, by keeping these essential laptop components cool, ensures they work in top condition.
Benefits Of Thermal Paste
Before we continue, we want to define some terms. CPU stands for Central Processing Unit; it is responsible for information processing and the general operations of your device.
GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit. The GPU renders all images on screen, decodes and renders 3D images, and all zoom and pan commands on the screen.
For both CPU and GPU parts to work correctly, they need to be kept within a specific temperature range. If they get too hot, their function could be affected. Some benefits of keeping them cool include:
Things You Need To Know Before Applying Thermal Paste
Before applying any thermal paste, these must be done and kept in mind.
Preparations
Avoid
How To Apply Thermal Paste To GPU & CPU (Step By Step Guide)
Applying Thermal Paste To CPU
Materials needed:
How to apply thermal paste to CPU:
- 1Clean your workstation and assemble your tools
- 2Read instructions carefully for both the device and the paste
- 3Power down and unplug your device
- 4Expose the CPU and heatsink according to manual instructions
- 5Clean CPU and heatsink using the alcohol method above
- 6Apply the paste to the center of the CPU
- 7Carefully secure the heatsink on top as instructed
Don’t fully tighten the screws until they are all in. Try to have even pressure and avoid bowing as much as possible. Using a zig-zag method may be helpful to create even pressure.
If the paste spills out, you will need to wipe it away with the alcohol-damp cloth and repeat the application process.
Applying Thermal Paste To GPU
Materials needed:
How to apply thermal paste to GPU
- 1Clean your workstation and assemble your tools
- 2Read instructions carefully on both paste and device manual
- 3Power down and unplug your device
- 4Expose and open the card as instructed
This is typically done by loosening the screws a bit at a time until it is completely loose. Be gentle and check for more screws if you meet resistance when trying to remove the cooler. If there are thermal pads around your GPU, leave them in place.
Don’t fully tighten the screws until they are all in. Try to have even pressure and avoid bowing as much as possible.
As a rule, being careful and consistent in your disassembling, application, and assembling will ensure things go smoothly.
How Often Should You Reapply Thermal Paste?
People often ask how often to apply the thermal paste onto the CPU. The short answer is that you do not need to do it too often. However, if your device exhibits these symptoms, then you will need to reapply some paste:
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Can too much thermal paste be bad?
It can be, depending on the amount and parts affected. When too much paste is applied, it spills out of the sides, causing a mess at best and damaging parts at worst.
Related: What Is The Meaning Of TDP?
How hot is too hot for the GPU?
176-185 degrees is often considered the standard working temperature for a GPU, with the ideal ranging from 149-185 degrees. The maximum working temperature for many GPU is usually 212-221, but thermal paste can help you avoid that temperature range and prolong the lifespan of the GPU.
What happens if I don’t use thermal paste on the CPU?
Not using thermal paste on your CPU or GPU can cause added strain on your device’s internal parts. This can, in turn, cause them to become less efficient or stable and cause the CPU, GPU, and heatsink to eventually fail.
Conclusion
Thermal paste is a vital working part of many electronic devices; by being careful and precise in your replacement, you can increase the lifespan of your CPU and GPU with only a little occasional maintenance.
Holly Curell is a US-based freelance writer & editor extraordinaire. With over a decade of writing technical manuals, blog articles, & even company communications, Holly has a passion for providing value to readers on everything she knows about tech-related topics. When she’s not writing, Holly enjoys reading, hiking, wine, & wandering the aisles of Trader Joe’s. Holly is currently based out of North Carolina, where she lives with her husband Ken & their three children.