How to Apply CPU Thermal Paste
Building a PC can be stressful or elating, but one thing is for sure: it’s important to take your time and apply the best practices. Especially when assembling components that can be worth hundreds of dollars, even minor errors could lead to disastrous damage. Assembling your processor is no exception: the thermal paste you add plays an essential role in keeping it cool. This article will give you the lowdown on how and when to apply it.
A thermal paste is a mixture of ceramic or metallic materials suspended in a binder. They can either be electrically conductive or not, and the type you choose depends on your needs. Conductive thermal pastes (liquid metal and those with silver) are excellent heat transferrs, but they also carry electricity. If they leak onto your motherboard or CPU pins, they can cause a short circuit that damages them. Non-conductive pastes like carbon or diamond are affordable and easy to spread, but they may not be as effective at lowering temperatures.
To apply the thermal paste, put a small dab of it in the center of your CPU’s contact plate and then lower the heat sink’s connecting part flat over it. Maximum PC recommends using a dab smaller than a pea or BB, while PC Magazine suggests you gently rub it in short motions to distribute it evenly. Generally, it’s a good idea to use a higher-grade paste that has a lower thermal resistance as this will provide better results at higher temperatures. CPU thermal paste