We study how to apply thermal paste to the processor

About the time when the computer components were relatively cold and dispensed with the simplest radiator, you can forget. Progress in computer technology is developing at an incredible pace: no one yesterday could have thought that it would be necessary to study how to apply thermal paste to the processor, and today not only water cooling systems but even plants operating on liquid nitrogen are used to reduce the temperature of productive components . Unfortunately, at this stage of development of microelectronics, it is not possible to get rid of heat generation - these are the laws of physics. Therefore, the only option that allows to reach a compromise between heating and stable operation is to understand how to apply thermal paste to the processor and to organize an effective cooling system for this component. The industry offers everything necessary for this: paste, radiators, fans, branch pipes, etc.

What is the use of thermal paste on the processor

As is known, for removing heat from the surface of the microprocessor, a metal radiator installed on it with forced airflow from a small fan is used. Since the area of the chip is only a few centimeters, it is important to ensure maximum contact of each section of the radiator surface with the chip, which will improve the efficiency of the cooling system. This can be achieved in two ways - ideally to treat both surfaces or to place between them a thin layer of plastic heat-conducting material (thermal interface). Since the second option is more simple and cheaper, it is quite understandable that it is used. Thus, thermal paste - this is the same material. There are quite a few modifications from different manufacturers, so you can not exactly answer the question: "How much is the thermal paste for the processor?". Some thermal interface costs a penny, while others have dozens of dollars. Often, the sites test the effectiveness of a solution, so that problems of choice should not arise. We will consider the practical side of the question - how to apply thermal paste to the processor.

You will spoil the porridge ...

So, the thermal paste has been bought. Next, you need to remove the cooling system from the processor and remove it from the connector. Although it is possible to apply on the chip directly on the motherboard - who is used to it. On the one hand, it's easier to work with the extracted chip, but the LGA system that Intel uses does not like frequent installations. Decide how best to do, account for the user.

So, how to apply thermal paste to the processor? The computer must be disconnected (remove the plug from the outlet) and remove the side cover of the housing. Next, putting the body on its side, carefully remove the heat sink from the processor. Usually a small screwdriver is enough to catch the latches. After removing the cooling system, use dry cotton wool to remove the remnants of the old thermal interface from the surface of the processor and the radiator. Then, with a match or other object (if the paste is not in the syringe), replace the processor. The layer should be as thin as possible, evenly cover the entire area and do not drain down. After this, the system is assembled in the reverse order. It's that simple. We pay attention to some important points:

- the smaller the layer of paste, the better - after all, its thermal conductivity is lower than when the chip directly contacts the radiator;

- when applying, it is necessary to avoid the formation of "mountains and hollows", so that an air bag does not form;

- most pastes conduct electric current, so they can damage the board or processor by hitting the contacts;

- dismantling and installation of the cooling system is usually quite simple. The main thing is to do everything without hurry, carefully inspecting the structure.