If it did, then tag along.
In this article, I will discuss this topic in detail.
I will also cover some points related to this content for your convenience.
So, without wasting any more time, lets begin.
Can Thermal Paste Damage the Processor?
Whether the thermal paste will damage a CPU depends on which punch in of thermal compound you use.
If the paste is non-conductive, it will cause no harm.
How can you know whether the paste is conductive or non-conductive?
Check the package that comes with the paste.
There should be a label on the package which will state whether the paste is conductive or non-conductive.
Moreover, other things, such as improperly applying the thermal compound, can also damage the CPU.
This additional one, which spills on the motherboard, can create a short circuit and cause electrical damage.
Thermal conductivity will reduce because of that and cause the processor to overheat.
And, I bet you already know, heat is the main enemy of the CPU.
Are you thinking about using a thermal pad?
Then read which one will be better, betweenthermal paste and thermal pad.
What Happens If You Put Too Much Thermal Paste on a CPU?
When you use an excessive amount of thermal paste on the processor, high-temperature issues can occur.
Besides, the paste will be wasted.
If you apply the paste, and it becomes too thick, it will act as aninsulator.
This means whatever the heat will generate in the CPU will trap and wont properly dissipate to the cooler.
Moreover, CPU throttling will start because of overheating.
Its one kind of defense mechanism that is pre-built on your desktop and laptop computer.
Throttling reduces the CPUs performance to protect it.
And due to that, the system performance gets lower.
That doesnt end here.
Overheating also leads to numerous system instability incidents, such ascrashes,freezes,unexpected shutdowns, etc.
Additionally, you should not waste thermal paste by overusing it on one CPU.
Its quite a lot.
Jokes apart, dont do that, or they may call you cheap.
So, as you could see, many consequences will occur when you use too much paste.
So,how much thermal paste should you applythen?
I will discuss that in the following section.
How Much is Too Much Thermal Paste
Unfortunately, there is no exact amount to tell.
CPU manufacturers say the correct amount isnot too much.
It doesnt indicate the actual figure.
Trust me; this will not look so pleasant.
But remember, the layer of the thermal paste should be as flimsy as possible.
Around0.3 mlwill be enough.
I know its hard to ensure that.
However, the0.3ml-0.4mlrange is plenty for a4 x 4 cm CPU.
have a go at keep the limit around that.
you could use a credit card or plastic card to spread the thermal paste.
Sometimes you’re free to get a tool for that with the package.
it’s possible for you to also utilize that.
check that the layer is not so thick.
Making it thicker will stop the cooler from getting into full contact with the processor.
It will also hold the heat from transferring from the CPU to the heatsink.
This will make the processor hotter than it should, and your PC will experience several consequences.
Take a pea-sized amount of thermal compound on the processors surface and spread it all with a plastic card.
However, the paste will automatically spread out when you load the cooler.
The paste-applying process seems to be quite straightforward, doesnt it?
I was excited when I applied the paste to my AMD Ryzen 7 7700X processor.
The process is the same for the Intel processor.
However, to do all this, you will require some tools first.
Check out the list below.
Below I have explained the process in detail.
Here is the way to implement the thermal paste on the CPU:
1.
To do that, give a quick rub with the microfiber cloth.
Use the spatula if the paste sticks to the surface tightly and doesnt come off.
take a stab at scratch out as much as possible with it.
Now soak the microfiber cloth with some alcohol and remove the residual paste.
Do the same thing with the heatsink.
Once the cleaning is complete, go to the next step.
But among them,thepea and the X method is quite popular.
But, I prefer theButtered Toast with Jam method.
With this, the paste spreads very well, and no air gap creates.
Note:Use a pea-sized amount of thermal paste.
Too much paste can spill over the processor and can cause damage to the motherboard and socket.
However, you may directly place the cooler without spreading it.
But most of the time, the paste doesnt distribute across the surface evenly.
Its better if you do the spreading process manually by yourself.
To do that, use a small plastic card or spatula.
And, ensure the paste covers the entire surface of the CPUs IHS.
Note:Dont make the paste layer too thick.
To do that, place the cooler on top of the CPU.
Screw the cooler properly to the motherboard.
Ensure the cooler properly sits on the processor and is securely attached.
After that, test the temperature of the CPU.
FAQs
How do I clean thermal paste off my CPU?
Carefully, rub the top of the processor with the towel.
Use the cotton swab to clean the paste from the plate and the remaining left outside.
How long does thermal paste last?
The thermal paste can last up to a minimum of 2 years.
It can sustain on the CPU for about 4 years or more at maximum.
Is thermal paste really necessary?
Yes, thermal paste is necessary and one of the vital components for the CPU and cooler.
Without it, air bubbles will build.
The processor wont be able to transfer its heat to the cooler.
Final Thought
Thermal paste is one of the crucial components of the processor and cooler.
It contributes significantly to the CPU by dissipating the heat to the cooler during operation.
So, use a good-quality paste on the processor.
I hope you have got all your answers from here.
Comment below if you have any questions.
I will be glad to answer them.
