Your laptop could occasionally get hot for no apparent reason. What else possibly be wrong if your heat sink and fans are working properly? In most cases, thermal paste in your laptop may need to be changed or replaced if you plan to use it frequently.
If your laptop is overheating, one possible cause is that the thermal paste is not working as it should. If the laptop is not getting as hot as it used to, you may need to replace the thermal paste. Thermal paste is a substance that helps keep the CPU and other components cool. If it is not functioning properly, the heat from the CPU will not be able to dissipate properly, and the laptop may overheat.
Laptops and Thermal Paste: What You Need To Know
It may be time to change your thermal paste if all of your cooling systems are flawless yet your laptop’s CPU continues to heat up. One of four methods—the dot method, the line method, the cross method, or spreading—can be used to apply it to your processor.
On your CPU, you only need a little thermal paste. Thermal paste is inexpensive, with the best brands costing no more than $25. If you need thermal paste but can’t get to it, consider temporarily substituting a zinc oxide-containing diaper rash cream.
How Do I Know If My Laptop Needs Thermal Paste?
Changing the thermal paste in your computer’s central processing unit (CPU) can be necessary if the CPU overheats frequently or maintains temperatures that are exceptionally high. Even if both the fan and the heat sink are operating as they should, your central processing unit (CPU) may nonetheless run too hot for no discernible reason.
In addition, you will require thermal paste for your laptop whenever you disassemble the CPU cooler from the motherboard of the laptop. When replacing the CPU cooler, if you do not also replace the thermal paste, this will cause the CPU to overheat. If there are air bubbles that get caught between the CPU cooler and the processor, this will result in poor heat conductivity, which will make your overheating problems even worse.
In addition to this, you will need to update your thermal paste every three to five years, depending on the thickness of the paste. If the thermal paste is thicker, it may take longer before it has to be changed than if it is thinner and less viscous. Because of the pump-out effect, thinner thermal paste will eventually become less effective, which can lead to overheating issues.
What Are The Best Ways To Apply Thermal Paste In a Laptop?
The central processing unit (CPU) or graphics processing unit (GPU) of your laptop can be thermally pasted in one of the following four ways:
The Dot Method
When it comes to adding thermal paste to your computer, this particular approach comes highly recommended. When you reattach the CPU cooler to the processor, place a drop of thermal paste about the size of a pea in the middle of the CPU to ensure an even distribution of the paste.
This approach provides the most effective solution to your issues with the temperature being too high.
The Line Method
Apply two lines of thermal paste that are parallel to one another and have a thickness that is approximately one-third of the width of the CPU. In addition to this, you may utilise a single line that is the same length as the processor. If you want the best outcomes, you should make sure that it goes through the middle.
The Cross/ X Method
Apply a thin layer of thermal paste all the way across your central processing unit, starting in one corner and working your way to the other. Repeating this step on the opposite side will result in the formation of an X. Additionally, your central processing unit (CPU) will benefit from this method’s effective cooling.
The Spread Method
Apply some thermal paste to the top of your central processing unit (CPU), and then use a plastic spatula or your finger that has been wrapped in plastic to spread the paste out so that it covers the whole top of the CPU. The use of this method for spreading thermal paste can also have excellent consequences when it comes to cooling your CPU.
How Many Grams Of Thermal Paste Do I Need?
A single CPU requires approximately 0.5g to 1g of thermal paste to be applied. If you want the best possible results, you shouldn’t go higher or lower than this quantity.
How Long Does Thermal Paste Last In A Laptop?
If you get good thermal paste, you won’t have to worry about replenishing it for at least five years. However, the amount of time you can use thermal paste before you need to replace it will change depending on numerous circumstances, including the following:
Thermal Paste Quality
The amount of time that the thermal paste can be used effectively for depends on the quality, variety, and composition of the paste. The age of thermal paste is affected by heat, and the quality of the thermal paste you use determines how long it will survive.
Extreme CPU Use
The lifespan of your paste will decrease if your laptop is used for a variety of demanding computing activities. In addition, overclocking your laptop will cause an increase in the temperature of the central processing unit, which will shorten the gel’s lifespan. Continuous overclocking and intensive computing make it necessary to replace the thermal paste on your computer at least once every two years.
Environment Of Use
Increasing the amount of time that you may utilise your thermal paste by operating your laptop in an environment that is both clean and cool. On the other hand, the longevity of the paste will be shortened by conditions such as high temperatures, filth, and dust.
Replacing and Repairing Parts
It is possible that you will need to apply new thermal gel to your laptop whenever you make a change to a component such as the heat sink, CPU cooler, or any other component. When reassembling your laptop, if you do not use thermal paste, you run the risk of causing irreparable damage to the motherboard as well as other components.
Is There Any Difference Between A Laptop And Desktop Thermal Paste?
There is no distinction between the thermal paste used in laptops and desktop computers. The only thing that will be different is the amount of paste that a desktop CPU needs in comparison to a laptop CPU. This is the only difference.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Thermal Paste In A Laptop?
To replace the thermal paste in your computer may run you anywhere from $5 to $25, depending on the brand you choose. It is possible that the cost would increase if you decide to have a technician replace the thermal paste for you. You can expect to receive high-quality thermal paste with upscale branding or packaging if you spend around $25.
A variety of thermal paste compounds are available, each with its own unique set of chemicals and packaging. The metallic-based thermal pastes are the most expensive type of thermal paste.
If you are able to apply thermal paste to your CPU in the correct manner, then you will just have to fork out the meagre sum of $25. In any other case, you should go to the electronics store in your neighbourhood and inquire about the cost of having them replace the thermal paste on your laptop computer.
Is Expensive Thermal Paste Worth It?
The pricey thermal paste is well worth every single penny that you invest in purchasing it. A more expensive thermal paste typically has a higher quality and greater thermal conductivity. Having said that, many brands of thermal paste will continue to serve you well for many years.
You will have several options to choose from while shopping at local establishments that sell pastes. Pastes with a higher price tag will give you several additional years of use when compared to pastes with a lower price tag.
Which Is The Best Thermal Paste For Laptops?
Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste has established itself as the industry standard for being the most effective choice for use in laptop computers over the course of its history. It is composed of a metal, specifically silver, which serves as its foundation. On the majority of sites, it costs between $5 and $8.
How Do You Know If Thermal Paste Is Good?
You can evaluate a thermal paste’s suitability for application in a number of different methods, including the following:
Texture and Viscosity
It is necessary for thermal paste to have the appropriate texture and viscosity in order for it to be helpful. When applied to a CPU, a good texture should not leave any air bubbles behind and should spread out in an even manner.
Aside from that, you should look for a paste that is neither excessively thick nor excessively thin. The paste must have the ideal viscosity in order to prevent it from spreading to other areas of the motherboard. Additionally, this consistency ensures that your thermal paste will create adequate contact between the processor and the heat sink once it has cured.
Heat Transfer
Pick a thermal compound that has a high heat transfer rating to get the job done. The heat conductivity of each paste is distinctively varied. The thermal rating indicates how effectively these compounds move heat from the central processing unit (CPU) to the heat sink. It is preferable to have a greater thermal conductivity rating.
Cooling Solution
It doesn’t matter how good the paste is; it has to have an efficient cooling system. Select a paste that contains materials that can withstand the high heat levels generated by your CPU for lengthy periods of time. It will have a longer lifespan, particularly on gaming laptops or laptops that consistently conduct intensive computation such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
What Is The Best Alternative To Thermal Paste?
The diaper rash cream is a great option to consider as an alternative to thermal paste. You can make use of it as a substitute for the short term, despite the fact that it will not provide you with a very long lifespan. Thermal paste replacements are fast solutions to the problem of your laptop overheating.
The majority of thermal paste alternatives will last for several days of use before they need to be replaced with real thermal paste. You might be able to get a few months’ worth of use out of diaper rash cream, especially in situations when electronic stores are out of stock or will take longer to deliver.
Creams for diaper rash that contain zinc oxide will also produce greater outcomes for you. Zinc oxide can be found in virtually all of the different types of thermal compounds.
Butter, hazelnut spread, and some hair treatments are all useful alternatives to consider as well. On the other hand, these alternatives will only last for a few days until they deteriorate completely.
Is Applying Thermal Paste Worth It?
The application of thermal paste is a crucial step in the repair process just like any other step. It would be irresponsible not to put it into practice. The use of thermal paste is absolutely necessary for both newly purchased laptops and previously owned computers that experience unexplained heating issues.
A Few Parting Thoughts
To maintain peak performance from your central processing unit (CPU), you should change the thermal paste every couple of years. You should be able to get nice thermal paste for roughly $8 that you can keep on hand for emergencies.
To maintain peak performance from your central processing unit (CPU), you should change the thermal paste every couple of years. You should be able to get nice thermal paste for roughly $8 that you can keep on hand for emergencies.
