How to Apply Thermal Paste to a CPU

Don't be afraid to apply your own thermal paste! This step-by-step guide will walk you through it!

Thermal paste is critical to ensure the proper functionality of your CPU. Even though the surface of the integrated heat spreader (IHS / top part of the CPU) looks completely smooth, it's actually full of tiny microscopic imperfections. Thermal paste fills all the tiny voids allowing the CPU to transfer more waste heat to the cooler. The cooler the CPU the better!

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[christianulrick]

Thanks for the quick tutorial! I'm building my first pc and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, so videos like this that get straight to the point are a godsend.

[CutieCallie]

My pc keeps restarting at random, but usually while I’m playing a game. I bought my pc two weeks ago and was told by a friend that it probably doesn’t have thermal paste since I bought it pre-built. I’m not tech savvy, but I’m going to try to apply thermal paste myself. I hope it helps. Thank you for your video!

[skivvywaver]

I have started applying it to the heatsink. A thin layer and then install the cooler. It works better for me than the 1000 other ways I've tried. Give props to the heatsinks they send with new processors for the idea. I just copied it.

[BABBLEBOAR]

thank you for walking me through this. Very clear and easy to follow, helped me a ton!

[wizewizard]

Thanks for the guide! I'm swapping everything to a new mobo so I wanted to make sure I was applying the paste properly, worked like a charm.

[DarkStorm]

Straight to the point and detailed. Thanks for the great tutorial.

[nicogonzalez]

I prefer using a cotton swap to remove the paste. That way you avoid scratching the cooler surface

[jcny]

Hey guy, what I do sometimes I place blue Painters tape around the cpu in a square formation and the place the paste, to avoid the spill over the edges with the paste when done just remove the Painters tape and it should be even, lol.

[ultronixyt]

NIce.... Could you please include more patterns
P.S = btw i was just buying thermal paste for my new PC and saw your video on YouTube. thanks !

[franciscofranco]

Do they make a thermal paste that has RGB?

[YouKnowWhatAmSayin]

What if my aio has pre applied thermal paste? Is it wrong to put some more on the cpu?

[onlytheashiest]

is the rubbing alcohol necessary? i dont know if i have any readily available

[Spractral]

I really didn't trust the"pea" method.. but everyone seems to mention it. Of course lots of people say lots of things that aren't correct...

Either way i don't trust it; even if it does appear evenly, how are you supposed to ensure that it goes to all the edges? That seems impossible to me.

[xler]

Jesus loves you so much and He is waiting for you with open arms, please accept Him in your heart and life while He is near

[fa.s]

Alcohol is illegal in my country is there an alternative?!

[xler]

Jesus loves you so much and He is waiting for you with open arms, please accept Him in your heart and life while He is near

[xler]

Jesus loves you so much and He is waiting for you with open arms, please accept Him in your heart and life while He is near