If the CPU of your product needs heat conduction, then I believe you should have already heard of thermal paste. This article will provide you with a selection of GALLOP INNOTEK thermal pastes and teach you how to use them correctly to help you achieve a good thermal conduction effect of the product.
What is Thermal Paste?
Thermal paste is a silicon-based compound with high thermal conductivity. It generally fills the microscopic gaps between the processor and the heat sink to expel air, significantly reducing the chip’s operating temperature. It is an indispensable key material in the computer hardware cooling system.
Preparations Before Using Thermal Paste
The preparatory work before applying thermal paste is indispensable; it ensures effective heat dissipation and hardware safety.
Clean Surface and Keep Dry
This is the most crucial step. First, gently brush off the large pieces of dry, old thermal paste residue with a dry, lint-free cloth. Then, dip a lint-free cloth in a small amount of high-purity isopropyl alcohol and wipe the surface of the CPU metal top cover and the heat sink base in one direction until all the old thermal grease and stains are completely removed. Finally, polish the surface with a clean, lint-free cloth and make sure it is completely dry.
Check and Confirm
You need to carefully inspect the base of the heat sink and the area around the CPU slot to ensure that all plastic protective films on the base of the heat sink have been removed. This step is often overlooked, which can lead to serious overheating problems. Additionally, ensure that the CPU fixing bracket of the motherboard and the installation base of the heat sink are firmly in place to prevent uneven force during heat sink installation.
How to Apply Thermal Paste？
Step 1: The first step involves preparatory work for applying thermal paste, as mentioned above. Additionally, it is essential to prepare the necessary materials and ensure that the working environment has adequate lighting.
Step 2: Squeeze the thermal paste right in the center of the CPU’s metal top cover. For most CPUs, the amount is generally about the size of a pea. It is essential to remember not to use too much, as excessive use can make cleaning difficult and potentially contaminate the motherboard socket.
Step 3: Place the heat sink vertically and steadily against the CPU base, ensuring it is positioned correctly. Then gently press the radiator and gradually tighten the fixing screws in a diagonal sequence. This process enables the pressure to naturally and evenly squeeze the thermal paste from the center to the periphery, filling all gaps perfectly and preventing the formation of bubbles.
Step 4: If you are concerned about the dosage, you can disassemble it again after installation to check the coverage. The ideal state is for the thermal paste to thinly cover the entire top cover. If too much overflows around, it indicates that the amount used is too large; you should reduce the amount and operate again after cleaning.
Recommended Thermal Paste Application Method
Single-point Method
The single-point method involves squeezing a pea-sized piece of thermal paste directly in the center of the CPU’s metal top cover. When you install and press the heat sink tightly, the pressure will naturally spread the thermal paste evenly in all directions, covering the entire top cover. This coating method is the most recommended and simplest, as it can avoid bubbles and is suitable for chips of all shapes and sizes.
Cross-covering Method
For CPUs with a larger surface area, thermal paste can be extruded along the diagonal to form an “X” shape. This method can better ensure that all four corners of large chips are covered.
Scraper Application Method
This method requires you to squeeze a small amount of thermal paste onto the CPU and then use a plastic scraper to smooth it out, forming an extremely thin film that evenly covers the entire surface. However, this method is prone to introducing bubbles, and it is difficult to control the thickness. It is recommended that professionals adopt this method.
Precautions for Using Thermal Paste
Dosage
Thermal paste only needs to fill the microscopic gaps between the chip and the heat sink, rather than serving as an adhesive. If the amount used is too large, it will increase the thermal resistance and may contaminate the motherboard capacitors, causing a short circuit. Moreover, it is best to squeeze only one point of thermal paste, as this way, bubbles are less likely to form during the pressing process.
Avoid Applying by Hand
It is challenging to achieve uniform thickness when applying thermal paste directly with fingers, as the grease on the hands can contaminate the thermal paste. Usually, the heat sink pressure installation is used to automatically level the thermal paste. This not only avoids the formation of bubbles but also ensures a uniform thickness of the paste.
Avoid Reuse
If some problems occur during the installation of the heat sink and it needs to be reinstalled, the applied thermal paste cannot be reused. You need to clean the thermal paste that was originally applied flat thoroughly and then apply a new one according to the above method. Only in this way can the heat dissipation effect be guaranteed.
Conclusion
Thermal paste can only ensure its heat dissipation effect when applied correctly. Therefore, understanding its usage method will have a significant impact on the performance of your product. The above is a detailed introduction to the usage method of thermal paste. If you have any related questions about thermal paste, please contact GALLOP INNOTEK at any time to obtain professional solutions.
FAQ
1. How often does thermal paste need to be replaced?
The service life of thermal paste depends on its quality and working temperature. Generally, high-quality thermal paste can last for 3 to 5 years under normal use. If you find that the CPU is on standby or its load temperature has significantly increased compared to before, and other factors such as dust have been ruled out, you should consider replacing the thermal paste.
2. How to solve the problem of excessive thermal paste spilling onto the motherboard?
If it is ordinary insulating silicone grease, simply clean it off with a cotton swab dipped in a small amount of isopropyl alcohol. There is no need to be overly nervous. However, if it is a conductive liquid metal, you must immediately cut off the power supply and use precision cleaning tools and special cleaning liquids to remove it as thoroughly as possible. Otherwise, there is a risk of a short circuit.
3. How should the dry-out thermal paste be cleaned?
When the printed thermal paste has dried and hardened, please refrain from scraping it with metal tools. The correct method is to cover the residue with a lint-free cloth moistened with high-purity isopropyl alcohol to soften it, and then gently wipe it off.
