Buzz
There are various types and models of thermal paste with the common purpose of reducing CPU and GPU temperatures. However, relying solely on cooling fans is not sufficient because CPUs and GPUs can get very hot, especially with heavy software or gaming.
How to Use Thermal Paste for Computers and Laptops
Nowadays, computer systems have various cooling methods, with the most effective being liquid cooling. However, liquid cooling is expensive, costing multiple times more than using thermal paste. Furthermore, using thermal paste is relatively simple; you can even do it yourself at home. Cleaning your computer or laptop will make it run faster.
What is thermal paste?
Thermal paste is a mixture of adhesive and components with good heat transfer properties such as metal and ceramic. Thermal paste has the ability to fill in the gaps with poor thermal conductivity between two surfaces. Simply put, when the surfaces of the CPU and the heat sink come into contact, all the heat emitted will be transferred from the CPU to the heat sink through the paste.
Why use thermal paste?
After a period of use, the original thermal paste of your computer or laptop may dry out and become ineffective. Decreased heat dissipation can lead to increased laptop temperature, noticeable through areas like the HDD, heat vents when touched. In the worst-case scenario, excessive heat can cause CPU and GPU overheating, leading to system shutdown. Therefore, we need to use thermal paste to reduce CPU temperatures. Of course, you must clean your laptop to remove dust for better cooling.
Types of thermal paste in the market
Before considering applying thermal paste to your laptop or computer, you need to know which type of paste is best for your device. Currently, thermal paste is divided into three main types: metal-based, ceramic-based, and silicon-based thermal paste.
Silicon-based thermal paste: This is the basic and cheapest type among all. Naturally, using this type of paste will result in lower quality and less efficiency compared to other types, but with a price of around 20,000 VND, it is completely acceptable.
Ceramic-based thermal paste: Higher-end than silicon-based paste, but still inferior in heat dissipation compared to metal-based paste. However, its advantage is that it is non-conductive, making it very safe to use. This is also the choice of the majority of users.
Metal-based thermal paste: Due to its metal content, this type of paste has excellent heat dissipation capability, far superior to the other two types. However, its downside is its conductivity, so if not used carefully, it can pose a serious risk of short circuits to internal components.
How to use thermal paste for computers, laptops
Precautions before using thermal paste for computers, laptops:
-Prepare necessary tools including screwdriver, thermal paste, cleaning tools for laptop, computer.
-Make sure to completely turn off the device before disassembly.
-Although disassembling a computer or laptop is not difficult, you need to have basic knowledge to do so.
Applying thermal paste on computers, laptops differs fundamentally. It's slightly more challenging on a laptop as you need to disassemble several parts before reaching the motherboard. On a computer, it's straightforward; you need to remove the default heat sink plate on the CPU, unscrew the 4 screws on the 4 sides depending on the type used. All sides have screws for removal, so excessive force should not be used to pull them out.
After completing the removal of the aluminum heat sink plate, thoroughly clean the remaining old paste, clean the dust off the fan as well as the heat sink fins. If you have time, you can wash the aluminum heat sink plate thoroughly and let it dry.
In laptops, all components are designed compactly; nevertheless, you still need to clean the heat sink fan, wipe off the paste on the integrated Chip and GPU inside the machine with a brush, cloth.
After thoroughly cleaning all components, we proceed to apply paste to the CPU, GPU surfaces. Use a small amount of thermal paste applied to the center of the Chip surface, then use a scraping tool to evenly spread the paste across the entire contact surface.
When using thermal paste on laptops, you need to pay more attention due to the small surface area. Carefully apply paste to both CPU, GPU before reinstalling as before.
Note: Do not apply too much paste; this does not help you use your laptop, computer longer. Just a sufficient amount to fill the contact surface.
After applying the paste, carefully reinstall in the correct positions as before. Then use temperature monitoring software like Speedfans to check how much the temperature decreases after cleaning.
Here's how to use thermal paste, applying thermal paste on laptops, computers for those who want to clean their laptop, computer. With thermal paste application, your device will run smoothly for at least 6 months. The duration depends on how you use your laptop, if it's for basic entertainment, it can last nearly 2 years before needing cleaning. But for gaming, the duration will decrease rapidly.
Using thermal paste will help the computer run cooler, faster as the CPU doesn't have to throttle to reduce temperature, and certainly, speeding up Windows will improve significantly.
