You may have heard of the term “thermal paste” before, but you probably don’t know what it actually is. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll look at the basics of thermal paste, how to apply it, and how to remove it when necessary.
Why would you ever want to remove thermal paste?
If you’ve ever seen a picture of a CPU cooler, you may have noticed that the CPU has a small amount of thermal paste spread across the top of the CPU. This is a common sight for many people because it makes sure that your CPU stays cool and runs efficiently.
However, sometimes people will buy a new CPU and leave the thermal paste in place. Or sometimes the thermal paste will get dried out or get old and begin to crack. When this happens, it can cause the CPU to run hot and start to overheat.
What’s the difference between thermal paste and thermal grease?
When people refer to thermal paste, they mean a type of thermal compound that is usually made of aluminum oxide. While the name is very similar, thermal grease is a different kind of material.
Thermal grease is a thicker and more viscous substance that contains copper, and it’s designed to protect against damage to the CPU itself. Because thermal grease is designed to be thicker, it’s generally easier to spread and maintain than thermal paste.
How do you apply thermal paste?
Because the application of thermal paste is relatively simple, you can actually do it yourself. In fact, you can even do it with the help of a friend. To apply the thermal paste, first, remove the protective sticker from the CPU.
After you’ve done this, you need to take your fingers and wipe away the residual dust on the CPU. You can do this by rubbing the tip of your finger across the surface of the CPU. Once you’ve cleaned it, you should use a Q-tip to apply the thermal paste to the CPU.
To apply the paste, simply rub the Q-tip over the surface of the CPU, and then let the Q-tip sit for a few seconds. Then, you can repeat this process until the paste is applied evenly.
Once you’ve finished applying the thermal paste, you should let the CPU sit for a few minutes so that it can absorb the paste. Once it does, you should flip the CPU over and apply a small amount of thermal paste to the underside of the CPU.
Why is it important to apply thermal paste?
When you apply thermal paste, you’re essentially spreading it all over the surface of the CPU. This means that it can absorb any heat that is being produced by the CPU, which can reduce the heat that is being radiated outwards.
Applying the thermal paste to the CPU can also increase its lifespan by a small amount. Because thermal grease is more viscous, it is harder to dry out than thermal paste. If you were to leave the paste on the CPU, it could crack and fall off the CPU in the future.
How to Remove Thermal Paste From a CPU
Removing the thermal paste is a lot simpler than applying it. To remove the paste, you’ll first need to take off the CPU socket and heat sink.
This is a pretty simple process, and it can be done using a screwdriver or a pair of pliers.
Then, you can use a cotton swab to clean the paste away. Simply apply a little bit of pressure to the swab, and then wipe away the residue of the paste.
In some cases, the paste can get stuck to the heat sink, but you don’t have to worry about this. If it does happen, you can just use a cotton swab to remove the residue.
