Laptops are the most convenient and the most personal computers. They are perfect for on-the-go professionals or people who love to be up to date with their social media feeds.
However, there is one small thing that users need to keep in mind: they need to change the thermal paste on their laptops every few years. If this is not done, the laptop might overheat and even damage its components.
Some laptops might come with a pre-installed thermal paste that needs replacing after some time. The only way to do it is to take off all the internal components of your laptop – which can be a complicated procedure for those who don’t have much experience in this area.
Why Update Laptop Thermal Paste?
A laptop is not only a device for consuming content. It also generates a lot of heat during operation. This heat is dissipated by the laptop’s cooling system, which is dependent on the thermal paste that sits between the CPU and the heatsink.
A laptop thermal paste is an integrated part of any cooling solution. The operating temperature of your CPU largely depends on how well it does its job of removing heat from the system. A laptop’s lifespan can be reduced by around 10% if you neglect to change the thermal paste periodically.
What is the Correct Way of Replacing Laptop Thermal Paste?
Laptop thermal paste is used to reduce the amount of heat generated by the CPU by transferring it to the metal contact area.
A laptop can be easily disassembled to access its processor. One should remove the old thermal paste with a razor blade or an X-acto knife and then apply the new thermal paste in a thin layer on top of the CPU.
What’s the Difference Between Different Types of Pastes?
Silicone grease for computers improves heat transfer and helps to avoid damage due to overheating. It comes in different types and the ones commonly used by enthusiasts are those made from heat conductive materials like copper and those that can withstand high temperatures like silicone and mineral oil.
The first step is identifying the type of paste you need. This should be done based on what material your CPU or graphics card is made of, processor type, and the manufacturer of the CPU/GPU.
How to Choose the Right Replacement Paste?
There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to choosing the right replacement silicone paste. A few of the most important factors include:
Purpose: What will you be using your computer for?
Brand: Some brands have heavy marketing budgets, but it doesn’t mean that they’re the best.
Price: This one is obvious – you want to pay as little as possible for a high-quality product.
Warranty: Notice how many years is covered by the warranty? It’s not just about getting a replacement paste quickly if something goes wrong, it’s about having something that will last and not break down easily.
Conclusion:
Thermal paste is successful when it can transmit heat away from the CPU effectively. It also needs to provide a good thermal interface between the CPU and the heat sink.
