• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 11:11
CEST 17:11
KST 00:11
  • 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
[ASL22] Ro4 Preview: Mirror Mirror6[ASL22] Ro8 Preview: Within Reach5[ASL22] Ro8 Preview: In A Tizzy11[ASL22] Ro16 Preview: Holy Diver5[ASL22] Ro16 Preview: Rough Waters10
Community News
Rollback Netcode in Brood War825.0.17 Patch Notes - October 7, 202621Weekly Cups Results (Sep 28-Oct 4)0SC4ALL: II SC2 Complete Invited Player Lineup10StarCraft II 5.0.17 PTR Patch Notes (Sept 30, 2026)78
StarCraft 2
General
ESL Pro Tour for SC2 discontinued [Old] StarCraft 3 Reportedly in Development 5.0.17 Patch Notes - October 7, 2026 StarCraft II 5.0.17 PTR Patch Notes (Sept 30, 2026) How do you feel about the mass reverts in the 5.0.17 PTR?
Tourneys
ISSL (IntoTheTV x SOOP SC2 League): Premier RSL 2026 Offline Finals LCQ Sign-Ups $3,500 WardiTV Not-Summer Championship ScienceCraft (October 24-25) - Live Event Stellar Fest TWO the Moon (Dec 16-20)
Strategy
[H] ZvP Mid-Late Game: Stalkers Collossi HT
Custom Maps
[M] (2) Sweltering Sands [M] (2) Frigid Storage
External Content
Mutation # 547 Temple Of Terror Mutation # 546 Catch the Train The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 545 And Drops and Rifts
Brood War
General
ASL FINALS HYPE VIDEO 2X Visiting korea this week Sagi.gg Launcher Released Repalyzer - replay analysis app for StarCraft: Rem BW General Discussion
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [ASL22] Semifinal A [ASL22] Semifinal B [ASL22] Ro8 Day 4
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Cliff Jump Revisited (1 in a 1000 strategy) Replay Review Process - What do you do?
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread General RTS Discussion Thread Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Total Annihilation Zero
Dota 2
Dota 2 Champions League Season 3 Begins April 25!
League of Legends
[TL LoL EUW IHs] Teemo shall perish
Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Canadian Politics Mega-thread Artificial Intelligence Thread
Fan Clubs
Serral Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Movie Discussion! Diablo Animated Series on Netflix
Sports
Football (Soccer) Thread TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 MLB/Baseball 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
Recent Gifted Posts
Blogs
The Link Between Gaming and …
TrAiDoS
[ASL22] Ro4 Day1 Ticket Giv…
bITt.mAN
38 yo Retired SWE loo…
PurE)Rabbit-SF
Can Bots Beat Pros?? Starcr…
namkraft
[meme] I finally understa…
LUCKY_NOOB
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 12764 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
Next event in 19h 49m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
RotterdaM 424
Liquid`TLO 294
OGKoka 281
LamboSC2 165
ProTech158
Codebar 30
StarCraft: Brood War
Calm 4159
Shuttle 2058
Bisu 1911
EffOrt 1090
Jaedong 972
actioN 589
Mini 385
Rush 382
Larva 309
Light 286
[ Show more ]
firebathero 260
ZerO 206
Snow 172
Sharp 66
Pusan 49
Trap 40
Mong 34
Terrorterran 34
ToSsGirL 31
Shinee 26
Aegong 18
Sexy 15
Noble 9
scan(afreeca) 9
zelot 8
Dota 2
Gorgc8783
qojqva2473
Dendi1250
XaKoH 591
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King87
ChuDatz31
Other Games
singsing2820
hiko1099
B2W.Neo642
dupreeh524
Pyrionflax331
ceh9323
byalli321
Liquid`VortiX310
crisheroes296
Hui .190
ToD178
KnowMe169
QueenE81
Trikslyr49
ZerO(Twitch)20
[ Show 15 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Hinosc 9
• Reevou 6
• OhrlRock 1
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• Migwel
StarCraft: Brood War
• ChaeLyn 6
• FirePhoenix3
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Nemesis3279
Other Games
• Shiphtur568
Upcoming Events
WardiTV Weekly
19h 49m
PiGosaur Cup
1d 8h
Kung Fu Cup
1d 19h
The PondCast
2 days
Online Event
3 days
Korean StarCraft League
4 days
Afreeca Starleague
4 days
Rush vs Soulkey
CranKy Ducklings
4 days
BSL Open Qualifier
5 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
5 days
[ Show More ]
BSL Open Qualifier
6 days
WardiTV Weekly
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Acropolis #5 - GSB
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Copium Cup

Ongoing

ASL Season 22
Super Anchor Qualifying S3
Acropolis #5
HCC Season 3
ESL Pro League Season 24
Stake Ranked Episode 4
1win Private Club #1
Logitech G Play Connect 2026
SL StarSeries Fall 2026
FISSURE Playground #3
BLAST Open Fall 2026
Esports World Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026

Upcoming

Acropolis #5 - GSC
BSL Season 23
SC4ALL II: Brood War
BSL 23: Non-Korean Championship
HSC XXX
Stellar Fest 2: Lunar Cup
SC4ALL II: StarCraft II
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Offline Finals
eXTREMESLAND 2026
PGL Major Singapore 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 6
BLAST Rivals Fall 2026
IEM Beijing 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 5
PGL Masters Bucharest 2026
1win Private Club #2
Thunderpick World Champ. '26
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.