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How to Apply Thermal Paste to a CPU
In this complete guide to thermal paste, we'll give you all the tips you need to choose a high-performance thermal compound and apply it correctly.How-To
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Ultimately, most of the PC building process is nothing too mysterious. Snap that into place there, screw this in here, and congratulations, you've built a PC! However, there's one notable exception: its squishy nature can make it a little intimidating even to those who've built PCs before. We're talking, of course, about applying thermal paste to CPUs.
This thick paste plays a crucial role in managing heat from your PC's processor. However, when it comes to the specifics of how to apply thermal paste to a CPU, the internet is full of conflicting advice. Our best guidance? Relax, because it's actually not that hard! In this complete guide to thermal paste, we'll give you all the tips you need to choose a high-performance thermal compound and apply it correctly.
What Is Thermal Paste?
Thermal paste (sometimes called thermal grease or thermal compound) is a thick, gel-like substance that conducts heat between your CPU and its cooler. Most thermal paste comes in syringe-style tubes, which allow PC builders to apply it to their CPU's heat spreader.
![Thermal Paste](https://60a99bedadae98078522-a9b6cded92292ef3bace063619038eb1.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/images_BrandPromos_PowerPage_Apply_Thermal_Paste_apply_thermal_paste_image_2.jpg)
To better understand what thermal paste does and why it's important, here's a basic rundown of how a computer's cooling system works:
- The CPU radiates heat through its integrated heat spreader (IHS), the metal surface that forms the top of the CPU assembly.
- The cooler absorbs heat through its copper or aluminum base plate (also known as the cold plate), which sits directly on top of the IHS.
- Often, heat won't transfer efficiently enough between the CPU and the cooler because of the tiny air gaps between the IHS and cold plate. Since the air in these gaps doesn't conduct heat well, the heat can build up near the CPU and raise your computer's temperature.
- Thermal paste fills in these gaps with heat-conductive material, allowing heat to flow efficiently between the CPU and cooler.
Without properly applied thermal paste, your computer will struggle to regulate its internal hardware temperatures, especially during demanding gaming or video editing tasks. That's why thermal paste is essential to your PC build!
When Do You Need to Apply Thermal Paste?
If you've bought a new computer, such as a laptop or a prebuilt gaming PC, there's usually no need to apply or reapply thermal paste. Your computer's CPU will come with a cooler already attached and with thermal paste in place. Many aftermarket coolers today also come with thermal paste pre-applied on the cold plate.
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On the other hand, a new application of thermal paste might be required when you're:
- Building a new PC
- Replacing your PC's cooler
- Replacing your PC's CPU
Basically, any time you remove the cooler or CPU from your PC, you'll probably need to apply thermal paste and/or remove the old paste. In addition, if your PC has started to run abnormally hot and it's been a few years since you applied thermal compound, putting on a new coat may help you lower your temperatures (since even the best paste does eventually lose some thermal conductivity). However, ensure you've ruled out other causes (like dust) before doing it.
What Kind of Thermal Paste Should I Use?
With so many different types and brands of thermal paste out there, is there a single best choice for PC builders? Many Reddit threads and YouTube videos are devoted to this subject. Still, most of them come to about the same conclusion: While the top thermal paste brands may differ slightly in this aspect or that one, any reputable brand will work well for the majority of PC builds.
Do take note of what's in your thermal paste before you buy it. Some high-performance thermal pastes contain electrically conductive metals like silver, meaning they can potentially short out other components if they spill onto your motherboard. If you don't want to worry about that, choose a non-conductive paste made from materials like ceramic and silicone compounds, which are more than good enough for the average PC builder.
Thermal pads are another option that some builders use. These thin carbon fiber pads sit directly between the IHS and cooler plate, just like thermal paste does, and they perform the same function. Some people like them because they're easy to install and less potentially messy than thermal paste. They're common in office PCs and other computers that aren't expected to accommodate extreme CPU loads.
How to Apply Thermal Paste to Your CPU
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1. Warm up your CPU.
First, it's a really good idea to “warm up” your PC by having it do something CPU-intensive. Your goal is just to get it hot enough that the old thermal paste becomes softer and easier to remove. Running benchmarking software is an easy way to do it. You could also just open a few tabs of streaming media in Chrome. Once your computer has run for 10 to 15 minutes, power it down, unplug it, and open the case.
2. Remove the cooler.
First, remove the screws and/or bracket holding your cooler in place. (These will vary greatly depending on your cooler model, so take note of where they go and which mounting holes they use!) Once these are out, your goal is to separate the cooler's cold plate from the CPU smoothly. If you warmed up your CPU first, the old thermal paste should be soft and create minimal resistance when you move the cooler.
Now, gently move the cooler back and forth. The most common method is to twist it slightly clockwise, then counterclockwise, working it gently until you can lift it off without pulling hard. Until you're sure the cooler is ready to come off, move it only side-to-side rather than pulling up on it. And, whatever you do, don't yank it or otherwise apply too much force. Patience will win the day!
3. Wipe away the old thermal paste.
Before applying new thermal paste, you'll want to ensure that you've cleaned off all of the old stuff. Your CPU heat spreader and cold plate will both likely have old thermal paste on them, so you just need to give them a quick wipe-down with rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth. (Coffee filters work well, but some companies also make thermal paste wipes if you want something made for the job.)
The process itself isn't hard. First, give it a wipe while dry. You can usually get at least a little bit off and make your job less messy. Then, soak your cloth with alcohol and gently wipe away the old thermal paste from the IHS and the cold plate. Once you've removed most of it, use a dry cloth to wipe off any remaining gunk and alcohol until the IHS is clean and dry.
![Thermal Paste Application](https://60a99bedadae98078522-a9b6cded92292ef3bace063619038eb1.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/images_BrandPromos_PowerPage_Apply_Thermal_Paste_apply_thermal_paste_image_5.jpg)
4. Carefully apply a pea-sized dot of the thermal paste in the center of the heat spreader.
PC builders use all kinds of different patterns for placing thermal paste on a CPU — lines, X's, even smiley faces — but in general, a pea-sized dot is considered the easiest and most reliable method. Take your tube of thermal paste, position it over the center of the IHS, and squeeze out a dot the size of a pea.
You'll see some builders on YouTube and PC forums spread thermal paste with a credit card or another small flat tool. While there's nothing wrong with this, it can get messy — especially if you have more viscous paste that's challenging to work with. When you reattach the cooler in the next step, it will spread the thermal compound all across the IHS, so feel free to let the cooler do the work for you!
5. Attach the cooler to the CPU.
Now it's time to put your cooler back on. Again, this will look a little bit different for the various models of coolers. You might need to consult your cooler's manual to ensure you get it mounted correctly on the motherboard. Don't forget to attach any additional connectors on your cooler, such as fan plugs, as they're often harder to work with once your cooler is mounted in the case.
Once the cooler is sitting on top of the thermal paste, you don't want to take it off again. (If you have to do that, just go ahead and apply the thermal paste again.) Any brackets or mounting hardware should be attached before you put the cooler in place, and you should know where your screws are going so you don't have to move it around.
When you're ready, gently press the cooler straight down on top of the IHS and thermal paste. Avoid laying it down from one side, as this will cause the paste to spread unevenly. Finally, reattach the screws to hold your cooler in place on top of your CPU.
6. Benchmark your CPU temperatures.
It's a good idea to verify that your thermal paste works as it should. Once your PC is fully assembled, use temperature monitoring and benchmarking software to test your CPU's thermal performance. Lots of different programs are available for these purposes, and many are inexpensive or free.
What temperatures should you be looking for? This varies widely from one CPU model to the next, but there are a few rules of thumb.
- Idle temperatures, when your PC is using only basic applications or doing nothing, should be around 30-45ºC (86-113ºF).
- Full load temperatures, when your PC is playing a demanding game or undergoing a stress test, should be anywhere from 50-80ºC (122-176ºF). If you're consistently going over 80º, check on other factors, such as dust in your PC or fan curve.
Three Mistakes to Avoid
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1. Accidentally pulling the CPU out of its socket.
It's possible to yank the CPU out of its socket by accident while attempting to change it out or apply new thermal paste. In a worst case scenario, this can bend the tiny pins of your CPU or motherboard — which, although they can often be bent back into place, are a pain to fix. The culprit is usually attempting to remove the cooler without warming up the paste first, or simply being too aggressive when pulling the cooler off. Take your time and be gentle!
2. Applying too much paste.
A little bit of thermal paste goes a long way. While you want to ensure there's enough, applying too much will get it everywhere. Fortunately, excessive thermal paste is unlikely to harm your components. Mostly, it just looks messy — with one important exception.
The one time this might be really bad news is if you're using conductive thermal paste. As we mentioned before, a conductive paste can short out other components if it gets in the wrong place, so you need to use extra caution when applying a conductive paste to ensure it doesn't drip or dribble.
3. Using thermal adhesive instead of thermal paste.
While researching your thermal paste choices, you might also come across products labeled as “thermal adhesive” or “thermal glue.” These are not the same thing as thermal paste, so don't get them mixed up!
Thermal adhesive, as you might expect, is designed to form a sticky bond between surfaces (in addition to being thermally conductive). Join your CPU and your cooler together with thermal adhesive, and you might have a seriously tough time getting them apart. Just double-check what you're buying and you'll be fine.
From a tube of thermal paste to a CPU-motherboard combo, Micro Center has every part you need to create your dream PC. Shop all of our thermal paste and processor options, or get your custom PC built professionally by our PC experts!
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