• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 06:57
CEST 12:57
KST 19:57
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
Serral wins HomeStory Cup 2915Serral wins Maestros of the Game 243ByuL, and the Limitations of Standard Play3Team Liquid Map Contest #22: Results and Winners7Code S Season 2 (2026): RO4 and Finals Preview12
Community News
Weekly Cups (Aug 3-9): Protoss get shut out5RSL goes to London! 2026 Offline Finals Nov 21-2212Weekly Cups (July 27-Aug 2): SHIN's big week0SC4ALL II: Brood War - $2500 - Dec 5-69SC4ALL II announced - $10,000 prize pool, Dec 5-64
StarCraft 2
General
SC4ALL: II Talent Announcement! Weekly Cups (Aug 3-9): Protoss get shut out SC4ALL II: StarCraft 2 Player Announcement 5/8 Protoss AoE skill expression August World Ranking: Clem climbs to #2
Tourneys
2026 KungFu Cup Announcement PIG STY FESTIVAL 8.0! (13 - 23 August) Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament RSL goes to London! 2026 Offline Finals Nov 21-22 RSL Revival: Season 6 - Qualifiers and Main Event
Strategy
[G] Having the right mentality to improve
Custom Maps
Nexus Wars 2021 GUIDE [M] (2) Industrial Park
External Content
Mutation # 538 Media Blackout The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 537 Hostile Territory Mutation # 536 Railroad Switch
Brood War
General
BW General Discussion Michaelbg appreciation thread ASL22 General Discussion How FlaSh Nearly Forfeited MSL Finals being late BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/
Tourneys
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 3 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues 2v2v2v2 Tournament Escore Tournament - Season 3
Strategy
Odyssey Mineral Stack Saturation Fighting Spirit mining rates Any training maps people recommend? Simple Questions, Simple Answers
Other Games
General Games
General RTS Discussion Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread EVE Corporation Diablo 2 thread
Dota 2
Looking for a Dota Mentor Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
[TL LoL EUW IHs] Teemo shall perish TSM pausing esports and CLG Dead
Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Power Rank TL Mafia Community Thread NeO.D_StephenKing vs This Guy From 1 Million Dance
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread The Letting Off Steam Thread Iain M Banks Says He Has Cancer And Months To Live Russo-Ukrainian War Thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
MarineLorD Fan Club The ShoWTimE Fan Club The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! Anime Discussion Thread Series you have seen recently... [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books
Sports
Football (Soccer) Thread NBA General Discussion TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 Formula 1 Discussion MLB/Baseball 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread Simple Questions Simple Answers FPS when play League Of Legend on laptop
TL Community
The Automated Ban List Northern Ireland Global Starcraft
Blogs
Are High-Level Gamers more A…
TrAiDoS
Cathedral Of CS And NY pizza a…
FuDDx
Please support my new stand…
Peanutsc
Hello guys!
LIN1s
ASL S22 English Commentary…
namkraft
Poker (part 2)
Nebuchad
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 6092 users

Thermal paste?

Forum Index > Tech Support
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
PeaNuT_T
Profile Joined October 2010
Sweden326 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-12 20:44:13
June 12 2011 20:08 GMT
#1
So I just got a new processor, an i5 upgrade from an i3, and I've been wondering is it neccessary to use Thermal paste?

I've been googling it and alot of people seem to recommend it.

Edit: just noticed I fucked up the title of the thread, could a moderator change it to "Thermal paste" instead of "Thermale paste"
iNcontrol, IdrA,Lz, Strifecro, Axslav, Machine, Demuslim! EG Fighting!!!~~
JingleHell
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States11308 Posts
June 12 2011 20:09 GMT
#2
Yes, there should be some on your cooler already. If there isn't you should use some. It's suggested for CPU's in the same way eating and breathing are for humans...
PeaNuT_T
Profile Joined October 2010
Sweden326 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-12 20:11:59
June 12 2011 20:11 GMT
#3
And I assume I just apply it to the top of the Processor right?
iNcontrol, IdrA,Lz, Strifecro, Axslav, Machine, Demuslim! EG Fighting!!!~~
Grobyc
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
Canada18410 Posts
June 12 2011 20:13 GMT
#4
Yes. Less than a pea-sized amount. You just want a thin layer covering it. Too much paste will hinder heat transfer.
If you watch Godzilla backwards it's about a benevolent lizard who helps rebuild a city and then moonwalks into the ocean.
JingleHell
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States11308 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-12 20:16:31
June 12 2011 20:15 GMT
#5
No worries, I just wanted to make sure you understood how "recommended" the stuff is.

It's vital, as opposed to just being a good idea.

Some coolers require slightly more. Are you using the stock cooler? If so, there should already be some. If it's aftermarket, there might be. If there is, either clean it with rubbing alcohol before reapplying, or don't apply more.

If it's direct contact heatpipes, you may need a slightly different technique.
PeaNuT_T
Profile Joined October 2010
Sweden326 Posts
June 12 2011 20:15 GMT
#6
No problem I'm quite clearly shitty with computers, thanks appreciated mate!
iNcontrol, IdrA,Lz, Strifecro, Axslav, Machine, Demuslim! EG Fighting!!!~~
JingleHell
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States11308 Posts
June 12 2011 20:17 GMT
#7
On June 13 2011 05:15 PeaNuT_T wrote:
No problem I'm quite clearly shitty with computers, thanks appreciated mate!


You know you don't know, which just means you're uninformed. Shitty is people who think they know, and don't or know exactly one thing and try to apply it to every problem that comes up, like a hammer on a loose bolt.
S.O.U.L
Profile Joined March 2011
Latvia149 Posts
June 12 2011 20:21 GMT
#8
lol, ofcourse its neccesary if you wont hav eit youre CPU will be overheating! and you will need to drop it out! so you have 2 choices, waste like $400 on a CPU to burn it down! or pay $405 to keep it alive ^^
CezA
PeaNuT_T
Profile Joined October 2010
Sweden326 Posts
June 12 2011 20:27 GMT
#9
On June 13 2011 05:15 JingleHell wrote:


Some coolers require slightly more. Are you using the stock cooler? If so, there should already be some. If it's aftermarket, there might be. If there is, either clean it with rubbing alcohol before reapplying, or don't apply more.

If it's direct contact heatpipes, you may need a slightly different technique.


Yes, I'm using the stock cooler, can you use acetone to remove it if there is some left over and I feel the need to reaply?
iNcontrol, IdrA,Lz, Strifecro, Axslav, Machine, Demuslim! EG Fighting!!!~~
JingleHell
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States11308 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-12 20:28:45
June 12 2011 20:27 GMT
#10
On June 13 2011 05:27 PeaNuT_T wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 13 2011 05:15 JingleHell wrote:


Some coolers require slightly more. Are you using the stock cooler? If so, there should already be some. If it's aftermarket, there might be. If there is, either clean it with rubbing alcohol before reapplying, or don't apply more.

If it's direct contact heatpipes, you may need a slightly different technique.


Yes, I'm using the stock cooler, can you use acetone to remove it if there is some left over and I feel the need to reaply?


Use rubbing alcohol and a q tip. Gently. Use one with alcohol, moisten the paste, and then use dry ones to remove the rest.

Then one more with alcohol.
PeaNuT_T
Profile Joined October 2010
Sweden326 Posts
June 12 2011 20:31 GMT
#11
On June 13 2011 05:27 JingleHell wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 13 2011 05:27 PeaNuT_T wrote:
On June 13 2011 05:15 JingleHell wrote:


Some coolers require slightly more. Are you using the stock cooler? If so, there should already be some. If it's aftermarket, there might be. If there is, either clean it with rubbing alcohol before reapplying, or don't apply more.

If it's direct contact heatpipes, you may need a slightly different technique.


Yes, I'm using the stock cooler, can you use acetone to remove it if there is some left over and I feel the need to reaply?


Use rubbing alcohol and a q tip. Gently. Use one with alcohol, moisten the paste, and then use dry ones to remove the rest.

Then one more with alcohol.


..Right, and lets say I'm not able to get rubbing alcohol would acetone still do or should I just hunt for rubbing alcohol?
iNcontrol, IdrA,Lz, Strifecro, Axslav, Machine, Demuslim! EG Fighting!!!~~
JingleHell
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States11308 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-12 20:32:36
June 12 2011 20:32 GMT
#12
On June 13 2011 05:31 PeaNuT_T wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 13 2011 05:27 JingleHell wrote:
On June 13 2011 05:27 PeaNuT_T wrote:
On June 13 2011 05:15 JingleHell wrote:


Some coolers require slightly more. Are you using the stock cooler? If so, there should already be some. If it's aftermarket, there might be. If there is, either clean it with rubbing alcohol before reapplying, or don't apply more.

If it's direct contact heatpipes, you may need a slightly different technique.


Yes, I'm using the stock cooler, can you use acetone to remove it if there is some left over and I feel the need to reaply?


Use rubbing alcohol and a q tip. Gently. Use one with alcohol, moisten the paste, and then use dry ones to remove the rest.

Then one more with alcohol.


..Right, and lets say I'm not able to get rubbing alcohol would acetone still do or should I just hunt for rubbing alcohol?


I've never used acetone, and won't suggest a chemical going near your CPU that I can't tell you for sure is safe. I honestly don't know, and won't endorse it based on my guess that it *should* be ok.
nalgene
Profile Joined October 2010
Canada2153 Posts
June 12 2011 20:34 GMT
#13
Application should be a tiny dot in the center or a thin horizontal line

and use Alcohol to remove the existing paste from both the CPU and the heat sink

possible to add a penny or so to add more pressure if you wanted ( better for dissipation )
Year 2500 Greater Israel ( Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Gaza Strip, West Bank, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen )
Zrana
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United Kingdom698 Posts
June 12 2011 20:40 GMT
#14
tbh you are ok with a slightly damp cloth as long as you are gentle+careful and dont run any power through the cpu until its totally dry
JingleHell
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States11308 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-12 20:41:24
June 12 2011 20:40 GMT
#15
On June 13 2011 05:40 Zrana wrote:
tbh you are ok with a slightly damp cloth as long as you are gentle+careful and dont run any power through the cpu until its totally dry


Don't do this. Components are too expensive to risk this way. It's worth taking the time and spending the few bucks on the rubbing alcohol to just do it right.
ScipioAfricanus
Profile Joined May 2011
United States11 Posts
June 12 2011 20:48 GMT
#16
you need an alcohol that dries fast, acetone will be fine. thats the point of using an alcohol. the higher concentration alcohol vs water the better because that evaporates faster. you do NOT want liquid still on the components.

that being said, applying thermal paste depends on the type of heatsink contact surface you have. most stocks will be a clean flat surface in which case a 'pea-sized' amount (on the cpu) will be fine. if, however, there are copper pipes running through the contact surface, you should put a very thin line of thermal paste along the pipes and then apply the heatsink.

most cpu's have a built in heat concentrating system where the heat is brought to the center of the cpu. applying the pea sized thermal paste to this area is the best option - you do not need to spread it (don't listen to anyone that says you do), just install the heatsink and it will be fine.
a176
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Canada6688 Posts
June 12 2011 23:24 GMT
#17
On June 13 2011 05:31 PeaNuT_T wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 13 2011 05:27 JingleHell wrote:
On June 13 2011 05:27 PeaNuT_T wrote:
On June 13 2011 05:15 JingleHell wrote:


Some coolers require slightly more. Are you using the stock cooler? If so, there should already be some. If it's aftermarket, there might be. If there is, either clean it with rubbing alcohol before reapplying, or don't apply more.

If it's direct contact heatpipes, you may need a slightly different technique.


Yes, I'm using the stock cooler, can you use acetone to remove it if there is some left over and I feel the need to reaply?


Use rubbing alcohol and a q tip. Gently. Use one with alcohol, moisten the paste, and then use dry ones to remove the rest.

Then one more with alcohol.


..Right, and lets say I'm not able to get rubbing alcohol would acetone still do or should I just hunt for rubbing alcohol?


those alcohols are available at most drug stores. just get the highest % isopropyl alcohol they sell.
starleague forever
jacosajh
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
2919 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-13 00:29:19
June 13 2011 00:28 GMT
#18
Some time ago, I didn't have any rubbing alcohol/q tips on hand. Luckily I had a first aid kit in my car with rubbing alcohol pads. That's what I've been using ever since.

And oh, be careful with using certain materials to wipe with. If you use something like a napkin or cloth, a fiber can stick to the paste, creating heat pockets. Obviously, that's not a good thing. I use my Ray Ban sun glass cleaner to wipe off the paste. Cotton balls or q-tips should be fine, but just pay attention.
JingleHell
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States11308 Posts
June 13 2011 00:33 GMT
#19
On June 13 2011 09:28 jacosajh wrote:
Some time ago, I didn't have any rubbing alcohol/q tips on hand. Luckily I had a first aid kit in my car with rubbing alcohol pads. That's what I've been using ever since.

And oh, be careful with using certain materials to wipe with. If you use something like a napkin or cloth, a fiber can stick to the paste, creating heat pockets. Obviously, that's not a good thing. I use my Ray Ban sun glass cleaner to wipe off the paste. Cotton balls or q-tips should be fine, but just pay attention.


That's actually a great idea. Probably better than the q-tips. The loose fibers is actually why I suggest just moistening the thermal paste with alcohol from the first one. It breaks it up, and then it just comes off on the others, without leaving any fibers behind.

Dracolich70
Profile Joined May 2011
Denmark3820 Posts
June 13 2011 00:41 GMT
#20
Use a credit card to distribute the thermal paste, and as others have said, it is very important that the layer is thin, else it is counterproductive.
LiangHao
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Replay Cast
09:00
KungFu Cup 2026 Week 18
CranKy Ducklings90
LiquipediaDiscussion
PiGosaur Cup
00:00
#94
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Lowko300
TKL 8
Rex 6
SteadfastSC 0
StarCraft: Brood War
Shuttle 4177
Bisu 1372
firebathero 779
Mini 409
Soulkey 358
Hyuk 324
Larva 283
actioN 211
Sexy 178
Stork 168
[ Show more ]
EffOrt 156
Killer 130
Light 122
Pusan 120
PianO 111
Last 98
Rush 68
Barracks 68
ZerO 60
Hyun 57
Snow 47
hero 38
Hm[arnc] 33
Sharp 31
ToSsGirL 24
Terrorterran 23
sSak 19
yabsab 19
Free 18
JulyZerg 18
NotJumperer 18
JYJ 15
Shine 12
sorry 9
Dota 2
Fuzer 138
League of Legends
JimRising 349
Counter-Strike
fl0m3443
olofmeister833
shoxiejesuss644
byalli597
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King153
Other Games
crisheroes189
DeMusliM180
ToD161
Sick142
B2W.Neo98
QueenE21
ZerO(Twitch)6
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick528
BasetradeTV48
StarCraft 2
IntoTheiNu 44
WardiTV23
StarCraft: Brood War
lovetv 12
[ Show 14 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• StrangeGG 61
• LUISG 20
• CranKy Ducklings SOOP6
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• Migwel
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• lizZardDota2256
League of Legends
• Jankos952
Other Games
• WagamamaTV301
Upcoming Events
Kung Fu Cup
3m
SteadfastSC0
Replay Cast
13h 3m
The PondCast
23h 3m
OSC
1d 2h
Replay Cast
1d 13h
Escore
1d 23h
CranKy Ducklings
2 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
3 days
OSC
4 days
Afreeca Starleague
4 days
Rush vs Hm
Bisu vs Shuttle
[ Show More ]
WardiTV Weekly
5 days
The Patches Monday
5 days
Afreeca Starleague
5 days
Sharp vs Shinee
Action vs Shine
PiGosaur Cup
6 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Afreeca Starleague
6 days
BeSt vs Paralyze
Jaedong vs Speed
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-08-10
CranK Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
Eternal Conflict S2 Finale

Ongoing

KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 3
K-JUNGMAN
Acropolis #5
RSL Revival: Season 6
Esports World Cup 2026
Esports World Cup 2026: LCQ
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S3: W7
CSLAN 4
ASL Season 22
Escore Tournament S3: W8
Acropolis #5 - TRS
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Acropolis #5 - GSA
HSC XXX
SC4ALL II: StarCraft II
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Offline Finals
PiG Sty Festival 8.0
Big Dog Cup 2026 Div 1
META DYMY #4
PGL Masters Bucharest 2026
Thunderpick World Champ.
ESL Pro League Season 24
Stake Ranked Episode 4
Logitech G Connect 2026
SL StarSeries Fall 2026
FISSURE Playground #5
BLAST Open Fall 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.