Thermal Paste: What Is It and What Does It Do?
Whether you’re into gaming or you’re handling a massive amount of data to be analyzed through your computer, you might find yourself worried that your microprocessor might overheat if you’re using it most of the time. You might hear some people using thermal paste to solve this problem. If you’re not familiar with it, this article will provide you with the information you need to know:
What is thermal paste?
Thermal paste or thermal grease is a substance usually applied in between the heat sink and the processor of your CPU.
If you’re new to the idea of using thermal paste for your computer to enhance your work or your gaming pleasure, here are some things you should consider:
Packaging
Thermal pastes have different packaging. The usual and most common is the syringe type because you can easily control the volume of paste you put in. If it will be your first time to use one, it’s recommended to get the syringe type since it’s less messy compared to other types.
Other packaging available are similar to toothpaste tubes and polish jars with a brush. These types are quite tricky because if you’re not careful, you might end up applying too much. Moreover, the application might be difficult since you have to spread the paste evenly. If not, there will still be air space, rendering it ineffective.
Types
Not all thermal pastes are manufactured the same. There are different types of thermal pastes, and they vary based on the compound it is made of. Here are some types of thermal pastes that you will encounter in the market:
- Metal – Since it’s made of metal, metal thermal pastes are very efficient in conducting heat. However, because of the nature of the material, it is also capacitive, which means it also capable of conducting electricity and retaining a charge. Highly capacitive thermal pastes, when not appropriately applied, can come into close contact with the metal parts of your microprocessor.
- Ceramic – This is the most common compound used in thermal pastes. It doesn’t have any metal particles in the matrix; therefore, you won’t be worrying that it will be retaining a charge that can harm your processor. There are two advantages of using ceramic thermal plates. First, it’s cheaper compared to other types of thermal plates. And second, it’s probably the safest choice that’s why this type is more recommended compared to others. However, it’s not as efficient as the metal thermal paste in regulating the temperature.
- Silicon – This type of thermal paste is used in thermal adhesives or tapes that you can readily place in between the microprocessor and the heat sink. You don’t have to worry about not applying the paste evenly. The downside, however, is that it is said to be less effective compared to other types.
- Carbon-based – Many would say that this type of thermal paste is the best one in the market today. It doesn’t conduct electricity and, at the same time, it functions similarly as the metal type in terms of efficiency when reducing heat.
What does thermal paste do?
The heat sink is attached to the microprocessor to regulate its temperature and prevent it from overheating. The heat sink has a coolant, in the form of either air or liquid, where the heat will be distributed away from the device.
On the other hand, your microprocessor is the core brain of your computer and therefore is the most active component of your entire CPU. It tends to heat up when you use it for a long time.
You might think that the heat sink has the full capacity to regulate the temperature of your microprocessor. However, the presence of air space between the microprocessor and the heat sink reduces the efficiency of heat transfer to the heat sink since air is a poor conductor of heat. The presence of air particles in between also increases the entropy, therefore disrupting the flow of heat in between the two components.
The thermal paste fills up this space. It is a highly conductive substance that facilitates optimum heat transfer. Usually, the paste is made up of a polymerized matrix that is made of compounds that conduct heat and insulate electricity. The effectiveness of the thermal paste depends on the component it is made of.
Final Thoughts
Using thermal paste is a good strategy not just to prevent your processor from overheating, but also to make your cooling system, like the heat sink, become more efficient. When choosing a thermal paste, you have to take into consideration the packaging and type of paste you’ll be using. If it’s your first time to use thermal paste, it’s best to stick with the syringe packaging and a silicon-based thermal paste.