The best thermal paste for a laptop processor. Which thermal paste to choose for a laptop: basic criteria. Thermal conductivity and thermal resistance

If the laptop is several years old, it may begin to heat up very quickly even when doing the most simple tasks. This behavior indicates that you should check the condition of the thermal paste.

Thermal paste is a special material with high thermal conductivity, which is applied between the processor and the radiator, which removes the heat generated during operation.

Due to the fact that the surfaces of the processor and radiator are rough, the microcavities at the interface between them are filled with air with low thermal conductivity, which reduces the efficiency of the cooling system. . This is especially true when it comes to laptops., the components of which, including the cooling system, are small in size. The purpose of thermal paste is to fill these irregularities and thereby improve the contact between the heatsink and the processor. Thus, this substance is a conductor and does not independently perform cooling functions.

Types of thermal paste

There are three bases on which pasta is made:

• Metal.
• Ceramic.
• Silicon.

The most popular is a metal-based paste, but it has one significant drawback: it contains a large amount of fine metal chips, due to which the conductor has a low resistance coefficient. As a result, this can lead to damage to the device due to short circuit of the contacts on the board.

Ceramic-based paste is the second most popular. Compared to the previous one, its thermal conductivity coefficient is lower. This thermal paste does not conduct current..

Silicon-based conductor is no different high quality, but is widespread due to its good effectiveness and low price. This material has a significant disadvantage - it contains thermal epoxies, due to which the paste sticks very strongly to the processor and radiator, and it is extremely difficult to remove it later, so it is not recommended to use conductors of this type.

Key characteristics of the substance

Before choosing thermal paste for a laptop in a store and buy it, you need to pay attention to the following characteristics thermal paste:

• Thermal conductivity.
• Viscosity and plasticity.
• Wear resistance.

The most important indicator that should be taken into account when choosing thermal paste is thermal conductivity. The higher its value, the faster heat will be transferred from the hotter element to the less hot one. You can find the thermal conductivity coefficient on the product packaging. This indicator is measured in W/m*K (Watt/meter*Kelvin) and is designated by the symbol λ. Inexpensive thermal pastes have an indicator of 1.5-2 W/m*K, most often this is enough for efficient work laptop.

It should be remembered that the applied layer of paste must be very thin, because it is intended to displace air, and not to serve additional layer between the heatsink and the processor. The thicker the applied layer, the lower beneficial features thermal pastes, no matter how high they were initially.

In addition to thermal conductivity, thermal paste has the opposite indicator - thermal resistance. They always try to minimize this indicator.

Viscosity and plasticity. These characteristics are in second place in importance.

The paste should completely fill the unevenness and roughness on the metal surface, without interfering with the processor being in maximum contact with the heatsink. This is achieved using the high viscosity of the substance. If it turns out to be liquid and leaks outside the work area, this may lead to short circuit. A more viscous and plastic material is easier to apply to the surface and therefore easier to remove if necessary.

The best viscosity ranges from 16 to 450 Pa*s, but most often it is not indicated on the packaging. In this case, the quality of the paste can be determined by appearance: The substance should be similar in thickness to toothpaste.

In addition to the previous characteristics, an important indicator is wear resistance (immunity to temperature changes). The substance must withstand regular temperature changes, which inevitably arise when using a laptop. Thermal paste is considered wear-resistant if it lasts well for a year, after which it is recommended to replace it during preventive disassembly and cleaning of the device from dust.

Manufacturers of quality goods

When choosing high-quality thermal paste, many users often do not know which brands should be preferred: domestic or foreign. To resolve this issue, it is recommended to seek advice from specialists or carefully study the composition on the packaging.

Domestic brands

Very often, domestic thermal paste such as KPT-8 is called the most popular and affordable. In fact, the only thing we can praise this brand for is its cost and availability. Same required indicator, as thermal conductivity, leaves much to be desired (only 0.8 W/m*K). In addition, this paste has a silicon base, and is also produced different companies, due to which its consistency can vary greatly: from very liquid to too thick and difficult to use.

Since a laptop is a valuable device, you should not chase the price, but rather pay attention to better thermal pastes for a laptop.

From domestic manufacturers, it is best to choose a product such as Coolage CA-CT3 Nano, produced by Skolkovo. The substance is plastic, with high viscosity, sticky, applied in an even and thin layer, does not dry out for a long time, and has good dielectric properties. It has excellent thermal conductivity - 5 W/m*K.

Foreign brands

If we review foreign manufacturers, we should highlight the Swiss company Arctic, which produces good and high-quality products. The most common thermal paste for Asus laptop, Lenovo and others from this manufacturer - these are brands such as ARCTIC MX-2, MX-3 and MX-4.

These pastes are characterized high value thermal conductivity - 8.2 W/m*K, as well as durability. They do not conduct electricity, making them safe for the device. MX-2 and MX-4 are similar in viscosity and plasticity, but the latter has higher thermal conductivity and durability (MX-2 lasts up to six months, MX-4 - up to a year). MX-3 has a more advanced formula, but is difficult to apply to the surface. On this moment discontinued.

The Arctic company also produces such time-tested brands as Arctic Silver 5 and Arctic Silver Matrix, where the first has the highest thermal conductivity - 8.7 W/m*K. In addition, it does not conduct current, does not dry for a long time, has a high viscosity, and does not spread. The second brand is a budget option first, released in tubes smaller size and also has good thermal conductivity and viscosity.

It should also be noted such materials as Thermal Grizzly, ZalmanZM STG2, as well as Deepcool Z9, which have good characteristics.

Zalman ZM STG2, a Korean-made thermal paste, does not conduct current, has a fairly high thermal conductivity, and does not dry out for a long time. The downside is that it is difficult to apply. It is better to take something made in Korea, and not in China.

Deepcool Z9 - slightly cheaper than the previous material, average efficiency, difficult to apply. It copes with its tasks for a long time and is reliable.

Thermal Grizzly has recently appeared on the market, has very high thermal conductivity and efficiency, and is easy to apply. The cost is high.

Thus, in order for the laptop to last for a long time, it is recommended to replace the thermal paste at least once a year, and do not choose the cheapest one of appropriate quality, but opt ​​for more reliable and high-quality materials.

We have already said more than once that it is necessary to regularly change the thermal paste on PCs and laptops. They also talked about how exactly it needs to be applied so that the motherboard or GPU did not heat up, worked properly and served for a long time. Today we will talk about the thermal paste itself, its varieties and parameters that you should pay attention to when choosing this heat-conducting substance. So, which thermal paste is best for a laptop?

As you know, if you do not change the thermal paste, the device will start to heat up. This is fraught not only with a decrease in productivity, but also with the failure of components, as well as costly repairs. How exactly does thermal paste protect against overheating?

It is applied to the processor/heatsink interface and acts as a thermal pad. That is, it removes various air microcavities that impede heat transfer. Thanks to it, excess heat easily “goes” into the cooling system, preventing the processor from overheating. Thus, it acts as a conductor, but does not have cooling properties.

However, not always in modern computer devices thermal paste is used. It can also be replaced by a special gasket. As a rule, it looks like a silicone or rubber square. The thermal pad is quite elastic. It contains a special filler. Usually graphite or ceramic.

More about thermal paste

The composition of thermal paste is multicomponent. As a rule, it contains:

• mixtures of metals;
• nanodispersed powders;
• oxides;
• nitrides;
• easily evaporating impurities;
• oils;
• microparticles of ceramics, silver, carbon, etc.

Thanks to all these components, thermal paste protects important components of a laptop or PC from overheating. It is applied between the cooled element and the device that removes heat. Moreover, a very thin layer (less than 1 mm). The consistency is more like a thick cream.

Over time, the thermal paste dries out. Its characteristics are deteriorating. It turns into a crumbly material that cannot provide stable heat transfer.

Therefore, the thermal paste should be changed regularly. How often? Most experts recommend doing this every year. In practice, 80% of laptop users do not change the paste with such frequency. Typically, this is only addressed in cases where the device begins to get very hot. Of course this is wrong. After all, even high-quality pasta after a year active exploitation loses its properties and copes with its “work” worse.

Key Features

There are quite a few manufacturers of thermal paste. But not everyone produces high-quality products. Some deliberately overestimate the thermal conductivity characteristics, others skimp on materials, which is why the paste loses wear resistance and ductility.

Therefore, we will look at several types of thermal pastes for laptops. Of course, we will share useful information, which will help you choose the best quality and best option. However, first of all, we need to talk about what you should pay attention to when buying thermal paste for a laptop:

1. Thermal conductivity. This is the most important characteristic. Refers to the ability to transfer heat from hotter to cooler objects. The thermal conductivity coefficient must be indicated on the packaging. It is denoted in W/m*k. The higher this indicator, the better. Typically, for an average laptop, it is enough that the thermal conductivity coefficient is 1.5-2 W/m*K. For gaming laptop With powerful processor and the video card needs a little more - from 4 W/m*K.
2. Viscosity. Characterizes the fluidity of a substance. Optimal indicator varies from 160 to 450 Pa*s. Unfortunately, many manufacturers do not indicate the viscosity on the thermal paste packaging. Some experienced users and computer service technicians note that this parameter can be determined “by touch.” Thermal paste for a laptop should resemble a thick cream or toothpaste. Why is viscosity so important? It's simple. If the paste is too liquid, it may leak during use. If it turns out to be too thick, it will not allow you to achieve maximum contact surfaces.
3. Thermal resistance. The lower this figure, the better. In many ways, this value is the inverse of the thermal conductivity coefficient. It turns out that low thermal resistance provides better heat transfer, and therefore cooling of important laptop components.
4. Operating temperature range. The larger it is, the higher the wear resistance of the thermal paste. Also, a decent temperature range means that the substance will not lose its properties even with severe heating (for example, the user will want). Therefore, it is optimal if the paste is able to withstand temperatures up to +150-200 °C.
5. Chemical neutrality. A good thermal paste should be safe. That is, non-toxic. Of course, substances that cause corrosion or lead to chemical damage to other parts are prohibited in its composition. Therefore, you need to purchase thermal paste in specialized stores where there is certification for the products. Otherwise, there is a risk of coming across a fake, the composition of which can harm your health and the laptop itself.

Choosing thermal paste for a laptop

• Firstly, this is KPT-8. It is cheap and available, but its performance is so low that it is dangerous to use such thermal paste. For example, its thermal conductivity is 0.65 W/m*k at a temperature of 100 degrees. This is not enough for the laptop processor and video card. The successor to the G8, KPT 19, has slightly better heat transfer. But it has an excessively thick consistency. As a result, it is very difficult to apply such thermal paste in a thin layer.
• Secondly, Alsil-3. This substance has a slightly higher thermal conductivity coefficient than KPT-8. However, this is still not enough. In addition, thermal paste dries quickly. Sometimes after just a month of use.

As for thermal pastes that are best suited for a laptop, these are:

Of course, the list can be continued. Since there are other high-quality thermal pastes for laptops:

• Arctic Silver 5;
• Halnziye HY510;
• Hutixi HT-GY260;
• Coolage CA-CT3 Nano and many others. etc.

We are sure that you can easily choose the best option for your laptop. Moreover, now you know what characteristics to pay attention to first.

Test participants

Glacial Stars Ice Therm I

Characteristics:
Thermal Conductivity W/(mK)-4.5
Operation Temperature - -30-180C
Color Light-Gray.
Net weight:1.5g
Cost (including per gram): 200 rub. (133.33 rub.)

Glacial Stars Ice Therm II

Characteristics:
Thermal Conductivity W/(mK)- 8.1
Operation Temperature - -40-100C
Color Light-Gray.
Net weight:1.5g
Cost (including per gram): 250 rub. (166.66 rub.)
The set includes a spatula for applying the thermal interface.

Arctic Silver Ceramique 2

Characteristics:
Average Particle Size:
<0.36 micron <0.000014 inch (70 particles lined up in a row equal 1/1000th of an inch.)

Temperature Limits:
Peak: –150°C to >185°C
Long-Term: –150°C to 130°C

Coverage Area:
2.7-gram syringe. (Approximately 1cc)
Cost (including per gram): 190 rub. (70.37 rub.)

DEEPCOOL Z3

Characteristics:
Thermal Conductivity W/(mK)>1.134
Operation Temperature: -50-300C
Thermal Imperdance:<0.201
Dielectric Constant A>5.1
Viscosity: 73
Color: Silver
Net weight: 1.5g

Ingredients.
-Silicone Compounds 50%
-Carbon Compounds 20%
-Metal Oxide Compounds 30%
Cost (including per gram): 90 rub. (60 rub.)
The kit includes a cardboard card with a glossy surface for applying thermal paste.
I added this thermal interface to the test at the request of Stepnoi. But I tested only this one earlier at a room temperature of 22C, and all other participants were tested at a temperature one degree higher.

Arctic Cooling MX-2 4g.

Characteristics:

Viscosity (poise)-850
Density (g/cm³)-3.96
Net weight: 4g
Cost (including per gram): 270 rub. (90 rub.)

Arctic Cooling MX-2 8g.

Characteristics:
Thermal Conductivity W/(mK)-5.6
Viscosity (poise)-850
Density (g/cm³)-3.96
Net weight: 4g
Cost (including per gram): 190 rub. (23.75 rub.)
I included this thermal paste in testing because... many people doubt its authenticity at such an attractive price per gram.

Test time

Test stand:

Case: SILVERSTONE TEMJIN TJ11B-W,
MP: ASUS LGA2011 Rampage IV Extreme X79 8xDDR3-2400 5xPCI-E3.0 8ch BT 4xSATA 4xSATA3 RAID 8xUSB3 eSATA BT E-ATX,
CPU: Intel Core i7-3820 3.6GHz (TB up to 3.9GHz) 10Mb 4xDDR3-1866 TDP-130w LGA2011 BOX,
Video card: PCI-E GigaByte GeForce GTX 670 2048MB 256bit GDDR5 DVI HDMI DisplayPort,
Memory: DDR3 4096MBx4 PC17000 2133MHz Kingston HyperX Intel XMP CL11-11-10-30,
PSU: Chieftec 850W, 4x8pinPCI-E 8xSATA CabMan Active PFC 14cm fan,
Hard: SATA-3 2Tb Seagate 7200 SV35 Cache 64MB,
Fans: ZALMAN ZM-F3BL 120*120*25 1800rpm, DEEPCOOL Wind Blade 120x120x25, 1300RPM.
Cooler: Prolimatech Armageddon
The processor operated at a frequency of 4375Mhz.

The test was carried out with using OCCT 4.3.1 and lasted for 30 minutes.
The room temperature in the room was constant and was at 23C.

Glacial Stars Ice Therm I

Glacial Stars Ice Therm II

Arctic Silver Ceramique 2

DEEPCOOL Z3

Arctic Cooling MX-2 4g.

Arctic Cooling MX-2 8g.

Summary table of the obtained results

Core 1

Core 2

Core 3

Summarizing:
As a result of testing, the Arctic Cooling MX-2 in an 8 gram package became the winner; it was able not only to refute the rumor of an alleged fake, but in some tests it surprisingly turned out to be a couple of degrees better than its 4 gram version. In general, from all my tests, I found a clear leader: Arctic Cooling MX-2; it not only applies perfectly, but also has high efficiency, beating it by a couple of degrees or even more depending on the core, and has amazing stability.
Second place can be given to Glacial Stars Ice Therm I and Arctic Silver Ceramique 2; they are approximately equal in efficiency; in third place is DEEPCOOL Z3.
The main disappointment was the thermal paste Glacial Stars Ice Therm II; not only is it not cheap, but it also has a terrible consistency reminiscent of clay, which is very difficult to spread with a credit card; it instantly hardens and sticks to it, as a result of which the consumption is increased and one package is enough for you to use once, and In terms of efficiency and ease of application, it is slightly inferior to the product of its own brand, Glacial Stars Ice Therm I. As a result, I can assure everyone that the high thermal conductivity of the paste does not mean its leadership and effectiveness.

Thermal paste in a syringe

It's worth starting with theory. When manufacturing processors, it is impossible to achieve a perfectly smooth product shape. In any case, microroughness remains. The same applies to radiator coolers. As a result, the junction between their two planes becomes imperfect, and thermal conductivity decreases. What does thermal paste do? It smooths out these irregularities and guarantees a large contact area between the two planes. And since the paste itself is capable of conducting heat, this increases thermal conductivity and reduces the risk of processor overheating.

Intel processor

In general, it’s worth stepping back a little and talking about the design of processors. What we used to call a processor is a metal box with legs and the inscriptions Intel or AMD, just a case. The crystal itself occupies approximately a third of the total volume. The rest of the metal part is a heat dissipator. But the heat is distributed unevenly throughout it. That is, the most heated part of most processors is the center. This is the so-called “hotspot”. This is the part that is vitally important to get right. Later in the article we will figure out how to do this and what thermal paste to choose for the processor.

What is better for a laptop - thermal paste or thermal pad

In general, a thermal pad for a laptop or PC is mostly a necessary measure. Because its use is typical for large gaps between the planes of elements. For example, when it is necessary to create good thermal conductivity between chips of different heights, cooled by the same radiator or cooler. The use of thermal pads in processors does occur, but is not widespread.

Types of thermal pastes, their composition and most important characteristics

Any thermal paste is determined by several characteristics. The most important are thermal conductivity and viscosity. The remaining parameters, one way or another, depend on the price and are less important.

Thermal conductivity

Speaking in simple language is the amount of heat that can pass through the material. This indicator is characterized by the coefficient of thermal conductivity. The higher it is, the better thermal paste transfers heat from the processor to the cooler radiator.

The layer is probably a little thick

Viscosity

Viscosity mainly characterizes ease of application. Thermal paste that is too thin may spread around the edges and flood the motherboard, while thermal paste that is too viscous will not be able to lie in an even layer over the entire surface. Viscosity is measured in Pa s. There is no recommended value. Just when buying, you should take into account that a paste with a low viscosity will be enough to drop onto the middle of the processor case and simply press down with latches, while a paste with a high viscosity will have to be spread manually in the thinnest layer possible.

The master's "horrible dream"

Temperature range

From permanent job V aggressive environment Thermal paste loses its properties over time. It dries out and thermal conductivity decreases. The temperature range shows the maximum range at which the thermal paste will “work.” The higher the value, the longer it will be able to maintain its original state.

Paste composition

The composition of normal, factory-made thermal paste contains the components necessary to maintain its properties. Sometimes they contain some impurities and metals for enhancement. But there are also fakes on the market, the composition of which may be unknown even to the manufacturers. Taking into account the fact that the paste is under constant heat and emits a variety of vapors, this type can be harmful to health. This is not to mention the thermal conductivity properties that can run out after a short time.

Which thermal paste to choose for a laptop: basic criteria

The most important parameter to choose is thermal conductivity. It is this that shows whether the selected paste is capable of coping with the heat dissipation of your processor. If you are not going to overclock your laptop, then you shouldn’t overpay for more thermally conductive options.

Price is no less important. A price that is too low should raise suspicions about whether the product is a counterfeit. If your budget allows, then you should pay attention to products of medium or higher price range. As mentioned above, viscosity largely determines the type of application. If you don't want to spread the paste by hand, choose a thinner one.

ATTENTION!

For some reason, not all manufacturers indicate the viscosity of their product on the packaging. Therefore, before going to the store, it would be nice to familiarize yourself with the assortment different manufacturers on the Internet, as well as with specifications for their products.

Review of popular thermal pastes for laptops

The thermal paste market offers a good selection. Products from both foreign and domestic manufacturers are available. Let's get to know the most popular models, consider their properties and characteristics.

Thermal paste KPT-8

Probably one of the best thermal pastes for the processor. It is inexpensive, accessible and in most cases meets the stated requirements. The thermal conductivity of KPT-8 is 0.65 W/(m K) at a temperature of 100°C. Viscosity at 20°C - from 130 to 180 Pa s. These are averages.

The paste can work in the temperature range from -60 to +180°C. Not the highest, but not the worst either. The main component responsible for conducting heat is zinc oxide. You can buy this thermal paste for a laptop for an average of 200 rubles.

Arctic Cooling MX 2

Product from the Swiss company Arctic Cooling. Most often it is found packaged immediately in a convenient syringe, from which it is very convenient to apply. The thermal conductivity of the paste is high - 5.6 W/(m K), and the viscosity is 85 Pa s. Not bad for cooling overclocked gaming PCs and laptops. average cost is in the range of 600−650 rubles.

NOTE!

This paste stretches very well even after long-term use. When removing the cooler for the next paste replacement, be very careful, as stretching threads can get onto the board or socket.

Arctic Cooling MX 2

Arctic Cooling MX 4 thermal paste

This paste is positioned by the manufacturer as for “overclockers”. Holds well high temperatures acceleration Upper working bar − +160°C. Thermal conductivity is higher than the already listed analogues - 8.5 W/(m K). Viscosity - 87 Pa s. The cost of the product is on average 100 rubles higher than its younger model - 700-750 rubles.

Arctic Cooling MX 4

Arctic Silver 5

The name of the product indicates that it contains silver. And it really is there. Product operating temperature range: -150 to +130°C. Thermal conductivity - 9 W/(m K).

Arctic Silver 5.

Noctua NT-H1

Paste from an Austrian manufacturer of cooling equipment. Often comes with new coolers from this company. The thermal conductivity of the paste is average - 4.5 W/(m K). It may not be the best thermal paste for a laptop, but it is definitely enough for its needs.

Thermaltake TG-2

Mid range thermal paste. You can buy it for an average of 500 rubles. For this price, the manufacturer guarantees a thermal conductivity of 3.3 W/(m K) and an operating temperature range from -40 to +150°C.

Thermaltake TG-2

Replacing thermal paste on a laptop - how to do it correctly

There is some information on how to change thermal paste on a laptop or PC. However, due to its compact size, the cooling system of laptops is noticeably different from its stationary counterparts. Basically, these are one or more tubes that pass through several elements of the system, taking heat from them. The cooler is usually located at one of the edges of the case to ensure the removal of hot air and take in fresh air. Therefore, disassembling and replacing thermal paste is a little different.

Tubes, coolers, laptop heat sinks

Disassembling a laptop

There are no tricks to disassembling a laptop. The only advice is if in doubt, go to the official website and find the location of the nodes and connectors to understand the circuit motherboard. Then unscrew all the bottom cover screws. Depending on the model, the quantity can be quite large.

Laptop bottom cover screws

Having reached the cooling system, you need to find the processor and remove the adjacent pipe system. In most cases, it is removed along with the heat trap. At this stage you need to be extremely careful. Some processor chips may not be protected by anything. And when removing the heat trap, it can be damaged.

How to remove old thermal paste

Over time, the paste turns into a gray viscous mass, which can be removed with considerable effort. You need to act carefully here. Especially if the processor crystal is not covered with anything. It is advisable to use a cloth or cotton pads with a small dose of alcohol. You need to remove residual thermal paste not only from the processor itself, but also from the heat sink. Both surfaces should end up mirror-like.

Old paste must be carefully removed

How to apply thermal paste to a laptop processor

Application can be done directly with your finger or with a special spatula, which can be supplied in the kit. Thermal paste should only be present on the chip and nowhere else. Literally one drop will be enough for this. It must be carefully spread to a uniform thin layer without touching other elements on the board. After this, you can return the entire cooling system to its place.

Literally a drop

I would like to say that the price for replacing thermal paste on a laptop can vary quite widely and depend on the region and specific model. Some people charge 300 rubles for this, while others estimate it at 1,500 rubles. In any case, it’s always more pleasant to do everything yourself, and also save on it.

Is it possible to make thermal paste for a processor with your own hands?

Despite the fact that there are a lot of “recipes” and ways to make paste at home on the Internet, few have actually measured its effectiveness. The composition of original thermal interfaces is very complex and contains specific ingredients. Even if it is possible to collect them all, it is unlikely that it will be possible to implement the task without fundamental knowledge of chemistry and the processes taking place. In addition, it will be very sad if the composition of the resulting thermal paste turns out to be toxic or harmful to humans or the processor. Their value has already fallen over the past few years. Is the effort to reinvent the wheel worth a simple walk to the nearest computer store?

Which thermal paste is best for a video card?

As a rule, there are no separate types of thermal pastes for video cards. Here you need to proceed from the characteristics of using the card. If you are a gamer and your card is often at the high end of temperature limits, then you should pay attention to options with high thermal conductivity. For example, Arctic Cooling MX 4. However, MX 4 alone will not be able to reduce the temperature. Cooling should be generally adequate. If the computer is used only for work and the video card is not particularly loaded, then any processor-oriented paste will do.

Video card with old thermal paste

How much does thermal paste cost for a laptop - overview table

By tradition, we have compiled a small table for you, with which you can estimate how much thermal paste for processors costs and what characteristics it has.

We hope this article and table will help you determine which thermal paste is best for the processor installed in your laptop. If you have encountered self-replacement pastes on your computer, then share your experience with other readers in the comments.

Caring for your computer/laptop is an important procedure that needs to be given close attention. This is especially true for cooling the processor - one of the main elements of a PC. Fight with high temperatures involves the systematic replacement of thermal paste - a substance that prevents key parts of computer hardware from overheating.

Why do you need thermal paste on a processor?

A viscous liquid called thermal paste must be applied to the processor before installing a heatsink on it. Many people are mistaken that the mass is needed to quickly cool the chip: in fact, it serves one purpose - rapid thermal conductivity from the chip to the cooler, which removes hot air. This process is very important for a computer or laptop, because otherwise the processor (main or video card) may simply burn out. Then a replacement will be required, and this PC part is not cheap.

Replacing the thermal paste on the processor is advisable every time you clean the laptop, and the operation itself requires the utmost care and attention. Improper application of the substance can cause harm to the computer and ultimately lead to the purchase of important parts. One tube should be enough for several planned care procedures. It is advisable to change the thermal conductive mass on both the motherboard and the video card at once, since disassembling and assembling a computer is not such a simple matter.

Which thermal paste to choose for the processor

With the appearance on the market large quantity For equipment that requires constant monitoring of thermal conductivity, more and more manufacturers offer their own thermal pastes for purchase. The choice is really wide, but you should pay attention to the quality of the product. In shops household appliances You can find both domestic and foreign companies specializing in pastes. The most famous lubricant on Russian market– KPT-8, which, although it is quite old (and was invented in the USSR), is distinguished by its high performance, flattering user reviews.

Domestic thermal pastes that stand out among the rest include Alsil from GM-Inform. The main elements of this product are aluminum nitride and high quality silicone (for viscosity). I would also like to note the choice of such manufacturers as Titan Silver Grease, Zalman, Gelid GC-Extreme and Noctua NT - these foreign cooling liquids in syringes have passed all quality tests and easily cope with all the tasks. The price of all these products is low, so everyone can afford such heat protection for their computer.

Price of thermal paste for processor

If you suddenly urgently need thermal paste for your processor, you should know that it is inexpensive - from 200 to 500 rubles. Agree, this is not very high price for such a useful and effective little thing. The product can be easily ordered/purchased in an online store (order with delivery in Moscow and other parts of Russia) or purchased at retail points of sale (home appliance supermarkets).

Below is a comparison table of top lubricants with differences in thermal conductivity coefficients and prices. All of them show excellent efficiency results as coolers. The choice of one mass or another depends solely on the buyer. Those people who figured out how to properly apply thermal paste to the processor and followed all the steps correctly will not notice a big difference in the performance of system cooling.

How to Apply Thermal Paste to a CPU

The process of removing old and applying new lubricant to the main parts of a laptop or PC is labor-intensive and painstaking. Before replacing the thermal paste on the processor, you need to do a number of certain sequential preparatory manipulations. For example, remove the laptop cover without damaging the insides, and clean all dust from work area(you can use a vacuum cleaner). How to properly apply thermal paste to a processor:

1. After superficially cleaning the laptop from dust and debris, use a screwdriver to disconnect the heatsink from the processor.
2. Use a cotton swab soaked in alcohol to remove any previous thermal paste from the chip.
3. When changing thermal paste, be careful to new layer was thin and distributed over the entire surface of the processor.
4. Take the tube with one hand and squeeze a small amount of mass (several grams) directly onto the chip, spread over the entire area using any plastic card or other device.
5. Try not to stain the surface of the motherboard with heat-conducting mass and do not touch the contacts.
6. After the procedure, without allowing the working material to dry, “plant” the radiator back, tightly pressing the paste between it and the chip.
7. Do it this procedure with a video card processor.
8. Do not forget to carefully tighten all the screws without damaging the integrity of the computer hardware.

Video: how to change thermal paste on a processor

Check out the ways how.