How to Clean and Apply Thermal Compound

Written By: Reina Godeck
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How to Clean and Apply Thermal Compound

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

4

Time Required

No estimate

Introduction

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    • Saturate a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol, and remove the thermal compound from the thermal plates on your component using gentle circular motions.

    • As the cotton swab becomes saturated with thermal compound, discard and continue with a freshly dipped cotton swab. The compound plate is clean when the cotton swabs come away clean.

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    • Repeat the same cleaning process from the previous step on the matching thermal plates on the motherboard.

    • Avoid touching the thermal compound areas once they are clean. Dirt or oil on either surface can disrupt cooling performance and lead to overheating or thermal throttling.

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    • Apply a small amount of thermal compound, about the size of a grain of rice, on the corner of each the cleaned thermal plates on the motherboard.

    • Using a clean plastic card, carefully spread the thermal compound evenly over the surfaces of each thermal plate.

    • You need to clean the thermal plates on both the component and the motherboard, but you only need to apply thermal paste on the motherboard thermal plates.

    • Avoid applying too much or too little thermal compound, as it can impede crucial heat transfer. Once spread, the compound should be about as thick as a single sheet of paper.

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    • Gently re-seat your component, making sure that the thermal plates align correctly.

Conclusion

Please refer to the previous guide in order to reassemble your device.

Author

Reina Godeck

Member since: 17/10/17

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