When it comes to maintain your computer system, you must have come in touch with a phrase, ‘applying thermal paste to a CPU’. This article will give you insight about the same. As we know the mechanism of CPU is such a complex matter that we can’t make a head or tail of it but again the other side of the coin says that it is not difficult if you learn the ropes about the correct method of applying thermal paste to a CPU.
What is Thermal paste?
A thermal paste is also known by some other names like thermal interface material (TIM), thermal grease, heat paste, CPU paste, thermal gel. It is used in the process of CPU cooler. Taking in detail we can say, it effectively works as thermal transfer material which is applied on the top of the IHS.If we elaborate IHS, it is called Integrated Heat Spreader. It is applied to avoid air gaps between IHS and metal base of the CPU cooler. It helps to keep your CPU cool.
How does it work?
The working of thermal paste is based on the microscopic gaps which arises between CPU cooler and IHS. The two cannot get an access because of those gaps. In order to remove that imperfection, one must apply the thermal paste which performs a task of heat transfer. It helps to avoid problems like throttling.
Points to take care
This is the task in which one must be very careful. Following are the points you need to keep in mind before applying thermal paste.
- The CPU should be clean
- The old paste must be removed carefully.
- Avoid using a paper towel which shed.
- Use isopropyl to remove the paste.
- It is advisable to wipe it with microfiber.
- Be equipped with all the required accessories.
- Get the rest of the CPU cooler ready.
- There should not be any kind of air bubble in the paste.
- The water block and baseplate will work to apply pressure on the paste so that you will not have to spread it manually.
- In case, if there is any air bubble, remove the paste entirely and repeat the process.
- Check the guide and follow all the steps properly.
- Make sure, that the thermal paste should be of good consistency so that it can settle evenly on the CPU.
Method to apply thermal paste
The most important question, which method is the most suitable to apply thermal paste. The answer is straight forward and clear. We can use dot method by applying a small dot and let it get spread. One can put the paste by using line method in the center of the IHS.
You can spread the paste according to your convenience, keeping a firm check on the thermal paste. It should not be overloaded or it should not be applied with bubbles. Instead of dumping the paste at one place, be flexible and apply it properly so as it touches the entire surface.
Once you make sure that the thermal paste is evenly applied on the surfaces, you can arrange the other parts of the system together and boot into the BIOS and check the CPU temperature. After that you can install windows.
Check the load taken by CPU and run your system up to the maximum frequency. You can simply run some benchmarks and check the temperature of your CPU.
Steps to follow
- Read all the instructions before you start your task. The instructions may vary from product to product so don’t follow the steps on the basis of any guesses. Read the guide and take care about important instructions given in the manual.
- In some CPU, the thermal paste is already pre-applied. In that case you need to apply a small amount of the paste. If it is not pre-applied, then put the thermal paste onto the IHS of CPU.
- Once you are done with the task of applying the paste, you can install CPU cooler. First you need to put your base plate onto your CPU. Do not put much pressure while doing it. Now get it attached with the mechanism and slide the cooler. Be careful that the motherboard or CPU should not get damaged.
- Check all the connections and attachments before giving a final hit. And here you are…………. Your system will be ready.
Conclusion:
In this article, we took a trail into the process of applying the thermal paste on the IHS and cooler CPU. It is done to avoid the microscopic gap between the two surfaces. The process is simple but it demands a great care. It must be applied so as it can spread evenly and do not get dump at one place. The dot or a line method can be taken to apply the paste. The surfaces must be dust free before applying the paste. The temperature is needed to be checked before running the programme.
We hope that our readers get all the satisfactory information about applying the thermal paste on IHS and CPU cooler. Drop your feedback right here in the suggestion box. We are looking forward to serve our readers with the best content.