Learn about Do CPUs Come with Thermal Paste. Learn whether CPUs come with thermal paste, its importance for heat transfer, and when you need to apply it.
Introduction
Thermal paste, often referred to as thermal compound or thermal grease, is an important medium that facilitates the effective exchange of heat between a CPU and its heatsink or cooling fan, whichever the case may be. If you ask yourself if CPUs come with thermal paste, the answer varies according to, among others, CPU maker, brand, and the type of cooling solution put in the box.
What Is Thermal Paste?
Thermal paste (also thermal grease or thermal compound) is a material that aids in making CPU or GPU heat sink transfer assignment more effective through the increase of heat transfer in the system. It serves to occupy the microscopic spaces existing on the surfaces thereby offering maximal contact for effective thermal conduction. In the absence of thermal paste, heat dispersion would not be uniform and this could cause excessive heating and possible damage to the processor.
It is available in a number of variants, with a few designed to support extra cooling features better than the rest. To enhance performance and improve the longevity of the systems, thermal paste however mechanically or already applied in derivatives is necessary to manage the corresponding temperatures.
Key Features of Thermal Paste
Thermal Conductivity
The thermal interface material is a conductive resin that presents heat transfer issues. This means that the heat generated by the CPU will be dissipated rather effectively by the heatsink attached to the CPU.
Low Thermal Resistance
The thermal paste has low thermal resistance, hence ensuring that the thermal barrier is not much and does not impede the heat transfer process. The low resistance also allows efficient movement or transfer of the heat from the CPU to the heatsink thus ensuring that the temperatures remain within the desirable range hence increasing the performance and lifespan of the CPU.
Smooth Consistency
The consistency of the thermal paste is smooth but thick enough for easy handling. It evenly covers the CPU surface to eliminate microscopic voids between the CPU and cooler which helps in the even distribution of heat for proper thermal management.
Fills Gaps
The thermal paste must work between the microscopic surfaces of the CPU and the heatsink. Otherwise, stagnant pits can trap air a material that does not adequately conduct heat. Thus, they are filled with thermal paste in order to facilitate the transfer of heat thereby preventing any risk of overheating.
Conductive or Non-Conductive
There are conductive and non-conductive thermal pastes in the market. The conductive paste is electricity transmitting and must be applied with caution, while the non-conductive paste is safe and best suited for those who prefer the ease of application with much less concern of causing electrical damage.
Understanding Thermal Paste and Its Purpose
Thermal paste refers to a thermally conductive material that is applied between the processor and the heat sink to eliminate micro air pockets. This promotes efficient heat dispersion, assisting in averting any chances of the CPU overheating and thus promoting the effectiveness of the whole system. Without thermal paste, even the best cooling systems may fail to operate efficiently due to air gaps, which are poor conductors of heat.
Do All CPUs Come with Thermal Paste?
Unfortunately, not all CPUs come with thermal grease. There is usually a thermal grease already applied on the heatsink for CPUs with stock coolers, therefore, there is no need to buy extra paste. Premium CPUs without any stock coolers however do not come with thermal paste so it has to be purchased separately. Always confirm the product details before placing an order.
Why Is Thermal Paste Important?
Thermal paste, also called thermal compound, is used to fill in small spaces between the CPU and its heatsink. These little spaces filled with air may interfere with the effectiveness of heat transfer. Using thermal paste enhances heat transfer which enables the cooler to perform its purpose. In the absence of it, the CPU is likely to run at higher temperatures leading to shorter life expectancy or the CPU may switch off automatically to prevent overheating.
How to Apply Thermal Paste
Read the Instructions
Always refer to the guidelines that come with your processor or heatsink. This is crucial as it guarantees that one would adhere to the limitations of the specific manufacturer of the product, which in turn minimizes the chances of poor thermal effectiveness or damaging the internal parts while fixing them in place.
Clean the CPU
The surface of the CPU is to be cleaned using isopropyl alcohol and a soft cloth free of any abrasive materials. This procedure is necessary to remove existing thermal greasiness, dust, and debris that may hinder requisite contact and heat exchange between the CPU and the thermal contact pad in the cooling apparatus.
Apply Thermal Paste
Then, a small amount of food pea-sized thermal paste should be squeezed into the middle of the CPU. This is because this paste will be squeezed and spread out once the cooler set is fitted on the CPU ensuring no underheating or overcooling due to too little or too much paste.
Install the Cooler
Gently but assertively place the cooler so that it covers the CPU and press down. This is to enable the thermal paste to ooze out hence covering all the micro spaces for effective conduction of heat from the CPU to the heatsink.
Screw in the Heatsinks
Insert and tighten the screws included with the heatsink in a crisscross manner. This guarantees proper screw tightening and distribution of pressure without cracking the CPU and maintaining effective heat transfer without losing contact.
How to Check If Your CPU Needs Thermal Paste
Before installing your new CPU, check for pre-applied thermal paste to the cooler. Flip the cooler upside down and look at its bottom. The base should have an even layer of paste. If the surface has no paste, or it looks dry or uneven, you’ll want to apply a fresh layer. For used or pre-owned CPUs, always remove the old paste and apply a new layer.
Conclusion
The need for thermal paste with a CPU depends on the particular model and if there is a stock cooler that comes with it. For casual users, it is most common that the pre-applied thermal paste on stock coolers gets the job done. However, serious performance users may have to buy premium thermal paste as well as a third-party cooler in order to achieve the desired results. Always check your CPU and cooler’s specifications to be sure you have all the parts required to achieve adequate cooling.