What better thermal grease laptop - professional advice

What is thermal grease and the area of ​​its application

You should start with the theory. In the manufacture of processors to achieve a perfectly smooth shape of the product is impossible. In any case, remain microroughness. The same applies to the radiator coolers. As a result of their contiguity between the two planes becomes imperfect, and thermal conductivity decreases. What makes thermal paste? It smooths out the bumps and ensure a large area of ​​junction between the two planes. And since she is able to conduct heat paste, it increases the thermal conductivity and reduces the risk of overheating the processor.

In general, it is worth a little retreat and talk about the device processors. What we used to call the processor - metal box with legs and Intel or AMD's inscriptions, only housing. The crystal itself is approximately one third of the volume. All other metal parts - heat spreader. But the heat is spent on it unevenly. That is, the most heated part of most processors - center. This so-called "hotspot". This part is vital to handle properly. Further in this article we will look at how to do it and how to choose the thermal grease to the processor.

What is better for a laptop - a thermal grease or thermal pad

Generally, the thermal pad for notebook or PC - is for the most part a necessary measure. Because its application is typical for large gaps between the planes of the elements. For example, when it is required to create good thermal conductivity between chips of different height, one cooled radiator or cooler. The use of the thermal spacers in processors takes place, but is not common.

Types of thermal paste, their composition and the most important characteristics

Any thermopaste determined by several characteristics. Considered the most important thermal conductivity and viscosity. The remaining parameters, one way or another, depend on the price and less important.

Thermal conductivity

Simply put - this is the amount of heat that is able to pass through the material. Characterized by the rate coefficient of thermal conductivity. The higher it is, the better the thermal grease gives heat from the CPU to the cooler radiator.

Viscosity

Basically viscosity characterizes the ease of application. Too thin thermal grease can be spread on the edges and fill with the motherboard, but is too viscous will not be able to go to an even layer over the entire surface. Measured viscosity in Pas. Any recommended value there. Just when you buy should be borne in mind that the paste with a low viscosity is enough to drip in the middle of the housing processor and a pin latches, and a high viscosity is necessary to smear the least subtle hand layer.

temperature range

By constant work in aggressive environments thermal compound over time loses its properties. It dries up, and the thermal conductivity decreases. The temperature range shows a maximum range, wherein the thermal paste will "work". The higher the value, the longer it will retain its original state.

the paste

Composition normal factory thermopaste containing components necessary for preservation properties. Sometimes they contain little metal impurities and to increase. But in the market there are fake, the composition of which may not even know the producers. Given the fact that the paste is under constant heat and exudes a different pair, then this kind can harm health. This is not to mention the thermal conductivity properties, which may result in a short time.

What is thermal grease to choose a laptop: the main criteria

The most important parameter to select is the thermal conductivity. That it shows whether the selected paste is able to cope with the heat output of your processor. If you do not intend to overclock your laptop, it is not necessary to overpay for a thermally conductive versions.

Equally important is the price. Too low value should raise the suspicion that if this product is fake. If budget allows, you should pay attention to the product the middle or higher price range. As mentioned just above, the viscosity of the greatest extent determines the type of application. You do not want to smear the paste by hand - choose more liquid.

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Browse popular thermal paste for laptops

thermal grease market offers a good choice. The products are available both foreign and domestic manufacturers. Let's look at the most popular models, look at their properties and characteristics.

Thermal paste KPT-8

Probably one of the best thermal paste to the CPU. It is inexpensive, available and in most cases meets the stated requirements. CBT-8 Thermal conductivity is 0.65 W / (m · K) at a temperature of 100 ° C. Viscosity at 20 ° C - from 130 to 180 Pa · s. These are average figures.

Paste can operate in temperatures ranging from -60 to + 180 ° C. Not the highest, but also not the worst. The main component responsible for conducting heat is zinc oxide. Buy this thermal grease can be a laptop for 200 rubles on average.

Arctic Cooling MX 2

The product from the Swiss company Arctic Cooling. The most common packaged immediately in convenient syringe, from which it is very easy to apply. High thermal conductivity pastes - 5.6 W / (m · K), and viscosity - 85 Pa · s. Well suited for cooling overclockable gaming PCs and notebooks. The average cost is in the range of 600-650 rubles.

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Thermal Compound Arctic Cooling MX 4

This paste is positioned by the manufacturer as for the "overclockers". Good holds great overclocking temperature. The upper working ledge - + 160 ° C. The thermal conductivity of the above mentioned analogues already - 8.5 W / (m · K). Viscosity - 87 Pa · s. Product cost is higher on average 100 rubles her younger model - 700-750 rub.

Arctic Silver 5

the product name suggests that in its composition has a silver. And it is indeed present. Product Operating temperature: -150 to + 130 ° C. Thermal conductivity - 9 W / (m · K).

Noctua NT-H1

Paste from the Austrian manufacturer of cooling equipment. Often it comes with new coolers from this company. The thermal conductivity of the paste average - 4.5 W / (m · K). Maybe not the best choice for notebook thermal grease, but definitely enough for his needs.

Thermaltake TG-2

Thermal Grease average range. It can be purchased for 500 rubles on average. For this price the manufacturer guarantees a thermal conductivity of 3.3 W / (m · K) and the working temperature range from -40 to + 150 ° C.

Replacing the thermal paste on the laptop - how to make

For information on how to change the thermal paste on the laptop or PC, a bit of information. However, due to the compact size of the cooling system of laptops differs markedly from stationary counterparts. This is mainly one or more tubes that extend across multiple parts of the system, taking them warm. The cooler is normally placed at one of the edges of the housing to provide a hot air outlet and pick up fresh. Therefore, disassembly and replacement of thermal grease are a little different.

Disassembling a laptop

There are no tricks to disassemble the laptop does not. The only advice - if in doubt, go to the official website and find the location of nodes and connectors for the understanding of the motherboard circuitry. Then loosen the screws of the bottom cover. Depending on the model and the number may be quite large.

Reaching the cooling system, it is necessary to find the processor and remove the adjacent tubing. In most cases, it is removed together with teploulovitelem. At this stage you need to be extremely careful. Crystals of some processors may not be protected by anything. And it can be damaged when removing teploulovitelya.

How do I remove the old thermal paste

Over time, the paste turns into a gray viscous mass, which can remove, putting a lot of effort. Here we must act carefully. Especially if the processor die does not covered. Use a desirable cloth or cotton pads with a small dose of alcohol. Remove the remnants of thermal grease is necessary not only from the processor, but also with teploulovitelya. Both surfaces have to get in the end SLR.

How to apply thermal paste on the laptop's processor

Application directly with your finger or a special shovel can be produced, which can be supplied. Thermal grease should only be present on the chip, and nowhere else. For this will be enough just one drop. It must be carefully smear until uniform thin layer without touching other components on the board. You can then return the entire cooling system in place.

I want to say that the price for the replacement of thermal paste on the laptop can vary within a fairly large and depends on the region and the particular model. Someone takes it for 300 rubles., And some estimates in 1500 rubles. In any case, always a pleasure to do everything yourself, and save more on it.

Is it possible to make the thermal grease to the processor with your hands

Despite the fact that the network, there are many "recipes" and methods of how to make pasta at home, its effectiveness, few actually measured the. The composition of the original thermal interfaces is very complex and contains specific ingredients. Even if they turn out to collect them all, you realize the task without the basic knowledge of chemistry and of the processes is unlikely to succeed. Moreover, it will be very sad, if the composition of the resulting thermal compound would be toxic or harmful to humans or processor. The cost and so fall in the last few years. It is worth the effort of reinventing the wheel a simple walk to the nearest computer store?

What better thermal paste graphics card

Of certain types of thermal paste graphics card, as a rule, no. Here we must proceed from the characteristics of the use of the card. If you're a gamer and your card often is at the top range of temperatures, it is worth paying attention to the options with high thermal conductivity. For example, Arctic Cooling MX 4. However, one MX 4 to slow the temperature will not succeed. Cooling should be generally relevant. If the computer is used only for the graphics card and especially not loaded, then any suitable paste-oriented processor.

How much is the thermal grease laptop - overview table

Traditionally, we have compiled for you a small table, with the help of which you can estimate how much thermal grease for CPU and what characteristics it has.

We hope this article and the table will help you determine which is better thermal paste to the processor installed in your laptop. If you are faced with a self-replacing paste on your computer, then share your experiences with other readers in the comments.