How to Replace CPU and GPU Thermal Paste

Problem overview

Your CPU or GPU runs dangerously hot, thermal throttles, or causes system shutdowns. Over time, the factory thermal interface material (paste) dries out, cracks, and loses its ability to transfer heat to the cooler.

Common causes

• Age-related degradation of factory thermal paste
• Improper mounting pressure from the heatsink
• Removing a cooler and reinstalling it without applying fresh paste

Solution 1: Prepare the surface

1. Turn off the PC, unplug it, and remove the heatsink or cooler assembly from the processor.
2. Use a lint-free cloth or paper towel moistened with 90%+ isopropyl alcohol to wipe away the old paste.
3. Clean both the processor die (or integrated heat spreader) and the copper contact plate of the cooler.
4. Ensure both surfaces are completely silver and free of residue.

Solution 2: Apply paste to a CPU

1. Take a syringe of high-quality, non-conductive thermal paste.
2. Squeeze a single, pea-sized drop directly into the center of the CPU.
3. Do not spread it manually; the mounting pressure of the cooler will spread it perfectly outward.
4. Place the cooler straight down onto the CPU.
5. Tighten the mounting screws a few turns at a time in an X or diagonal pattern to ensure even pressure.

Solution 3: Apply paste to a bare-die GPU (Laptops and Graphics Cards)

1. GPUs do not have an integrated heat spreader; you are applying paste directly to the fragile silicon die.
2. Squeeze a very small line of paste onto the die.
3. Use a small plastic spatula to manually spread a paper-thin layer across the entire surface of the silicon.
4. Remount the heatsink carefully, tightening screws in a diagonal pattern according to the numbered sequence printed on the board.