Clean the surface, 2. Apply pea-sized thermal grease to the center of the CPU, 3. Let the pressure of the radiator spread naturally, 4. Install the radiator evenly; correct operation can improve the heat dissipation efficiency, prevent the CPU from overheating, frequency reduction or damage, and extend the hardware life.

Thermal paste—also called thermal compound or CPU paste—is a goopy, heat-conductive material you apply between your CPU (or GPU) and its cooler. Its job? To fill in microscopic gaps and imperfections on both surfaces so heat transfers more efficiently from the chip to the heatsink. Without it, your processor could run hotter than it should, leading to throttling or even damage over time.

You don't need much—just the right amount applied the right way.

Why It Matters

Even if your CPU and cooler look smooth, they're not perfectly flat at a microscopic level. Air pockets trap heat because air is a poor conductor. Thermal paste bridges those gaps, acting like a thermal “glue” that moves heat faster from the CPU to the metal of the cooler.

How to Apply It Correctly (Step-by-Step)

1. Clean First
Remove old paste with isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher) and a lint-free cloth or coffee filter. Both the CPU surface and the cooler base should be completely clean and dry before applying new paste.

2. Choose the Right Amount
Less is more. A pea-sized dot (about 3–5mm wide) in the center of the IHS (Integrated Heat Spreader—the flat metal cap on top of the CPU) is perfect for most modern CPUs. When you tighten the cooler, the pressure spreads it evenly.

Why not more? Too much paste can ooze out the sides, insulate instead of conduct, or even cause electric issues if it gets on the motherboard.

3. Don't Spread It (Usually)
Let the pressure of the cooler do the work. Spreading it manually with a card or finger can introduce air bubbles or uneven layers—especially if you're not precision. The exception: some high-viscosity pastes (like metal-based ones) might benefit from a thin, even spread, but check the manufacturer's instructions.

4. Mount the Cooler Gently but Firmly
Once the cooler is seated and screwed down evenly (following the correct tightening pattern), the paste will spread into a thin, uniform layer—ideally just 0.01–0.05mm thick.

Bonus Tips

• Reapply every 1–3 years if you're doing maintenance or removing the cooler.
• Don't skimp on quality—mid-range pastes like Arctic MX-6, Noctua NT-H1, or Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut work great for most users.
• Avoid cheap pastes with misleading “silver” labels—they're often just filler with poor performance.

Basically, it's not rocket science: clean, dot, press, done.
Get this right, and your CPU stays cooler, quieter, and lasts longer.

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