cpu - what happens if I apply thermal paste on a stock cooler?

05
2014-04
  • ZCoder

    I have a new APU and was wondering if putting a small amount of paste on the APU would be too much. if there is too much, will this damage the APU,or will it be fine?

    • Answers
  • user55325

    Use a thin layer - remember, all you need to do is to fill in the microscopically small air-spaces between the two surfaces.

    Also, don't forget to clean off all the old thermal compound - you can use alcohol or there are cleaners made for the purpose.

    Too much thermal paste will lead to increased temperatures, but unless you add a really huge amount, it wouldn't be enough to cause damage via heat. (Besides, modern processors should be able to shut themselves down quickly (theoretically, fast enough to prevent damage) if they detect sufficiently high temperatures.)

  • Darius

    The idea of Thermal Paste is to help distribute the heat from one side to the other side. 2 Metal Contact (APU or CPU to heatsink) are not really distributing heat that nicely. The Thermal Paste helps to create a transferring link between the 2 metal contact.

    If you do have a heatsink for the APU, then before applying additional thermal paste, check if the heatsink already have thermal paste. If yes, no need to add more. If none, then add very small amount and spread it out to ensure it is thin and even across the metal contact to the heatsink.

    If the APU does not use any heatsink, then why are you applying thermal paste?


    • Related Question

    cooling - What factors are relevant when buying thermal paste?
  • Torben Gundtofte-Bruun

    Based on the answers on this question, I'll probably go buy some new thermal paste. Unfortunately, the marketplace is flooded with spiffy-sounding products at wildly varying prices. I might just go to the local store and buy whatever mid-range product they happen so sell, but before I just do something stupid I'd like to learn more:

    • What material should the paste be made of? Does it matter?
    • How important is the heat conductivity? Are there big differences?
    • For anything less than bleeding-edge systems, does the choice of paste actually matter? Why?

    What specifics should sway me to spend more (or less!) money on thermal paste?

    This question is for reassembling a mid-range system. I'm sure that high-end overclocking gurus would very likely choose products that aren't necessary for mainstream customers.

    Update: the price range for a small container is only €3-€6 so buying the best is easily affordable. I'd just like to understand if there's any sense in that; learning never hurts.


    • Related Answers
  • music2myear

    If you're looking for a mid-range system you're not planning on overclocking or doing anything weird with, you could get away with the store-brand paste, or whatever is cheapest and looks easiest to apply.

    Any paste that isn't made of jello and sand should be capable of handling the thermal needs of a middling system.

    The most reputable brand is probably Arctic Silver. And you should be able to find a single-use cartridge of this for pretty cheap.

    However, any product made by a brand that also makes cases and coolers should be OK as well. They have reputations to uphold and so are highly unlikely to release a truly horrible product.

    Regarding specifics: Diamond grit? Expensive and pointless. Gold-dipped Salmon Roe? In cooling paste? You just want the cheapest tube from a reputable brand applied properly under a capable fan.