• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 12:50
CEST 18:50
KST 01:50
  • 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
BGE Stara Zagora 2025: Info & Preview17Code S RO12 Preview: GuMiho, Bunny, SHIN, ByuN3The Memories We Share - Facing the Final(?) GSL46Code S RO12 Preview: Cure, Zoun, Solar, Creator4[ASL19] Finals Preview: Daunting Task30
Community News
GSL Ro4 and Finals moved to Sunday June 15th10Weekly Cups (May 27-June 1): ByuN goes back-to-back0EWC 2025 Regional Qualifier Results26Code S RO12 Results + RO8 Groups (2025 Season 2)3Weekly Cups (May 19-25): Hindsight is 20/20?0
StarCraft 2
General
Jim claims he and Firefly were involved in match-fixing BGE Stara Zagora 2025: Info & Preview The Memories We Share - Facing the Final(?) GSL GSL Ro4 and Finals moved to Sunday June 15th Serious Question: Mech
Tourneys
Bellum Gens Elite: Stara Zagora 2025 $25,000+ WardiTV 2025 Series Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament SOOP Starcraft Global #21 $5,100+ SEL Season 2 Championship (SC: Evo)
Strategy
[G] Darkgrid Layout Simple Questions Simple Answers [G] PvT Cheese: 13 Gate Proxy Robo
Custom Maps
[UMS] Zillion Zerglings
External Content
Mutation # 476 Charnel House Mutation # 475 Hard Target Mutation # 474 Futile Resistance Mutation # 473 Cold is the Void
Brood War
General
Will foreigners ever be able to challenge Koreans? FlaSh Witnesses SCV Pull Off the Impossible vs Shu BW General Discussion BGH auto balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Battle.net is not working
Tourneys
[ASL19] Grand Finals [Megathread] Daily Proleagues Small VOD Thread 2.0 [BSL20] GosuLeague RO16 - Tue & Wed 20:00+CET
Strategy
I am doing this better than progamers do. [G] How to get started on ladder as a new Z player
Other Games
General Games
Monster Hunter Wilds Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread Path of Exile Mechabellum
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
LiquidLegends to reintegrate into TL.net
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers
Hearthstone
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia TL Mafia Community Thread TL Mafia Plays: Diplomacy TL Mafia: Generative Agents Showdown Survivor II: The Amazon
Community
General
Russo-Ukrainian War Thread US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Vape Nation Thread European Politico-economics QA Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
Maru Fan Club Serral Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Korean Music Discussion [Manga] One Piece
Sports
Formula 1 Discussion 2024 - 2025 Football Thread NHL Playoffs 2024
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread Cleaning My Mechanical Keyboard
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Heero Yuy & the Tax…
KrillinFromwales
Research study on team perfo…
TrAiDoS
I was completely wrong ab…
jameswatts
Need Your Help/Advice
Glider
Trip to the Zoo
micronesia
Poker
Nebuchad
Info SLEgma_12
SLEgma_12
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 15962 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
OSC
16:00
King of the Hill #212
SteadfastSC98
Liquipedia
Bellum Gens Elite
12:00
Stara Zagora 2025 Day 1
Zoun vs KrystianerLIVE!
Serral vs Lambo
ShoWTimE vs YoungYakov
Bellum Gens Elite1374
ComeBackTV 677
TaKeTV 358
IndyStarCraft 303
Rex194
3DClanTV 140
CosmosSc2 109
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Bellum Gens Elite1374
IndyStarCraft 303
Rex 194
CosmosSc2 109
SteadfastSC 98
ProTech91
BRAT_OK 65
MindelVK 11
StarCraft: Brood War
Calm 6126
Bisu 2558
Shuttle 2382
Horang2 2106
Soulkey 569
ggaemo 368
Mini 366
Snow 290
ZerO 266
Hyuk 257
[ Show more ]
Light 249
Stork 240
hero 153
Rush 142
Zeus 141
Dewaltoss 126
Leta 69
Hyun 58
JYJ45
sSak 30
HiyA 26
Terrorterran 21
Rock 21
zelot 20
Backho 16
ajuk12(nOOB) 9
GoRush 7
Shine 6
Noble 5
Hm[arnc] 3
Dota 2
Gorgc8423
qojqva3281
XcaliburYe265
syndereN195
LuMiX1
Counter-Strike
fl0m6155
olofmeister3379
Foxcn132
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King81
Heroes of the Storm
XaKoH 103
Other Games
FrodaN1634
hiko1099
Beastyqt424
Lowko229
crisheroes202
Trikslyr89
QueenE70
KnowMe38
ZerO(Twitch)21
Has19
Organizations
Dota 2
PGL Dota 2 - Main Stream3527
PGL Dota 2 - Secondary Stream363
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 19 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Hupsaiya 46
• HeavenSC 36
• Light_VIP 13
• Adnapsc2 9
• Kozan
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• sooper7s
• Migwel
• intothetv
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
StarCraft: Brood War
• Michael_bg 1
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• C_a_k_e 3693
League of Legends
• Nemesis6498
• TFBlade1870
• Shiphtur350
Upcoming Events
The PondCast
17h 10m
Bellum Gens Elite
18h 10m
WardiTV Invitational
18h 10m
Replay Cast
1d 7h
OSC
1d 7h
Bellum Gens Elite
1d 18h
WardiTV Invitational
1d 21h
Replay Cast
2 days
CranKy Ducklings
2 days
SC Evo League
2 days
[ Show More ]
Bellum Gens Elite
2 days
Fire Grow Cup
2 days
CSO Contender
3 days
Replay Cast
3 days
SOOP Global
3 days
Creator vs Rogue
Cure vs Classic
SOOP
3 days
SHIN vs GuMiho
Sparkling Tuna Cup
3 days
AllThingsProtoss
3 days
Fire Grow Cup
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
Replay Cast
5 days
WardiTV Invitational
5 days
GSL Code S
6 days
Rogue vs GuMiho
Maru vs Solar
Liquipedia Results

Completed

CSL Season 17: Qualifier 1
DreamHack Dallas 2025
Heroes 10 EU

Ongoing

JPL Season 2
BSL 2v2 Season 3
BSL Season 20
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 2
NPSL S3
Rose Open S1
CSL Season 17: Qualifier 2
2025 GSL S2
Bellum Gens Elite Stara Zagora 2025
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 7
IEM Dallas 2025
PGL Astana 2025
Asian Champions League '25
ECL Season 49: Europe
BLAST Rivals Spring 2025
MESA Nomadic Masters
CCT Season 2 Global Finals
IEM Melbourne 2025
YaLLa Compass Qatar 2025
PGL Bucharest 2025
BLAST Open Spring 2025

Upcoming

CSL 17: 2025 SUMMER
Copa Latinoamericana 4
CSLPRO Last Chance 2025
CSLAN 2025
K-Championship
SEL Season 2 Championship
Esports World Cup 2025
HSC XXVII
Championship of Russia 2025
Murky Cup #2
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
FISSURE Playground #1
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 © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.