What is the thermal compound used for?

What is the thermal compound used for?

Thermal grease, also called thermal paste or thermal compound, is a substance used to promote better heat conduction between two surfaces and is commonly used between a microprocessor and a heatsink . The top surface of most microprocessors is not perfectly flat.

Why do you need to use thermal paste or thermal compound?

The main role of thermal paste is to eliminate air gaps or spaces (which act as thermal insulation) from the interface area in order to maximize heat transfer and dissipation. Thermal paste is an example of a thermal interface material.

What happens if you don’t use thermal compound?

Thermal paste (either pre-applied or aftermarket) is necessary to bridge the minute gaps between the lid of the CPU and the base of the heat sink. Without it, you have far less contact between the two surfaces, which will result in a loss of performance of the cooler.

Can we use toothpaste instead of thermal paste?

Toothpaste is also an excellent substitute for thermal paste. Its structure decays after a few days, especially if the operating temperatures are high.

Does thermal paste really make a difference?

KitGuru says: For a cheap, quick and easy way to lower your temperatures, you could considering investing in a new tube of thermal paste – as we have shown today, it really can make a significant difference. A small tube will last for several applications, too, so you can re-use it well into the future.

Do I need thermal compound?

Yes . As mentioned above, the thermal compound (along with your computer’s fans) is what helps direct heat away from the CPU. Without this compound, your CPU may overheat, possibly causing multiple problems.

Is this a good thermal compound?

Gelid GC-Extreme Thermal Compound. This is a top performing thermal paste from highly respected Gelid and the winner of numerous industry awards.