Whether you get a new PC or decide to build your own, it can be a challenging task to go through the process without prior knowledge. There are many factors to consider, and minor errors can cause severe damage to costly hardware components. Among many questions you have, one might be if CPUs come with a thermal paste.
Thermal paste is included with CPUs that include a boxed cooler. The thermal paste is either applied directly to the heatsink of the included cooler or comes in a tube. Thermal paste is typically pre-applied to the stock cooler that comes with your CPU. The pre-applied thermal paste is sufficient to run the CPU at stock speeds.
Read more of what you need to know about applying the thermal paste on your PC below.
What Is Thermal Paste Used For?
Thermal paste is a silvery-gray substance you apply to a processor before installing a cooling solution. Its function is to ensure an efficient transfer of heat from the IHS of the processor to the CPU cooler’s base plate or water block designed to dissipate that heat.
If the thermal paste is not used, your entire system will overheat because it will generate more heat than it is designed to handle. Because the CPU is one of the most important components of your computer, it is preferable to use good thermal paste on it.
Which CPUs Come With Thermal Paste?
Thermal paste has already been applied if a CPU comes with a stock cooler. The compound can be found on your cooler’s heat sink, which meets your central processor. It has the consistency of toothpaste and a silvery or grey color.
But, regardless of whether they are Intel or AMD, CPUs sold on their own do not include thermal paste. Similarly, you’ll almost certainly need to apply it to CPUs purchased used or aftermarket. They may, however, occasionally include a small tube of the compound.
How To Apply Thermal Paste?
You should consider the following steps to install your thermal paste:
- Check to see if the CPU is clean and free of any old thermal paste. If there is, carefully remove the old paste from the CPU lid with isopropyl alcohol and a non-shedding microfiber cloth or paper towel before proceeding.
- Before you start applying the thermal paste, make sure the rest of your CPU cooler is ready to install. Consult the instructions, ensure that every step has been completed up to attaching the CPU cooler, and make sure you have any necessary tools close at hand.
- Before you begin, make sure you have read all of the relevant instructions. This includes the instructions provided for your particular CPU cooler and the thermal paste that came with it. Every brand of thermal paste and CPU cooler is slightly different and knowing the specifics of yours before you begin will make the process go more smoothly.
- Apply thermal paste to the CPU’s IHS in the center. (If your cooler already has thermal paste applied, you can skip this step.) Only a small amount — about the size of a grain of rice or a pea — should be applied to the center of the integrated heat spreader.
- Set up a CPU cooler. Place the base plate or water block of your cooler onto the CPU with light, top-down pressure, and hold that pressure while attaching the cooler to the mounting mechanism. You’ll need to apply enough force to keep the cooler from sliding and to evenly distribute the thermal paste, but not so much that you bend the motherboard or damage the CPU.
Maintain the cooler’s position while attaching it to the motherboard in a diagonal pattern, securing the screws (assuming you’re using a screw mechanism) as if drawing an “X” with them. Do not fully tighten the screws until you have attached all four, then turn each a few times before moving on to the next to ensure even pressure.
- Check your work twice. Once the CPU cooler’s base plate or water block is securely attached, double-check your work to ensure everything is in order. Thermal paste should not spill over the edges of the CPU or anywhere on the motherboard. If there is, it means you used too much paste and should clean it with alcohol before repeating the process. Congratulations if everything appears to be clean and the cooler does not move when touched. You’ve finished it correctly.
Why Is Thermal Paste Important?
If you do not use thermal paste, your entire system can overheat, even with the cooler installed. It is because the CPU generates more heat when running than it is designed to handle, so it is advised that you use the thermal paste. It is preferable to apply good thermal paste, an appropriate amount, to the CPU because it is one of the most important components of your computer.
The Quantity And Longevity of Thermal Paste
You only need to apply a small amount, roughly the size of a grain of rice or a pea onto the center of the integrated heat spreader. The recommended thermal grease thickness after spreading of thermal grease is 100 µm.
Although high-end compounds can be effective for up to 7 years after installation, manufacturers recommend removing any thermal paste from your CPU’s heat-spreader and CPU Cooler every 2-3 years to be safe.
Conclusion
CPUs that come with stock coolers usually come with pre-applied thermal paste. Thermal paste is essential to regulate the heat produced by the CPU; without it, your system can overheat. If you do not get a cooler with your CPU, you need to get the thermal paste separately and apply it yourself for optimal performance.
