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IT Support & Hardware · Foundational

Thermal Paste

A thermally conductive compound applied between a processor and heat sink to fill air gaps.

Definition

Thermal paste (thermal interface material) improves heat transfer because air is a poor conductor. A pea-sized amount is typical for a desktop CPU, and old paste should be cleaned off with isopropyl alcohol before reapplying. Dried-out paste can cause overheating in older systems.

Example

Clean the old compound with 90%+ isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth, then apply fresh paste.

Exam tip

Overheating right after a cooler was reseated often means no paste or too little paste.

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