Thermal paste is an essential component for a gaming PC that helps it run cooler and avoid performance issues like throttling. Such a component is vital for any gamer, so do you get thermal paste when you purchase a factory motherboard?
Factory motherboards have pre-applied thermal paste on their Cooler or IHS (Integrated Heat Sink) rather than the CPU. They also do not come with a tube of thermal paste. If you purchase an aftermarket motherboard or CPU, you must also buy a tube of thermal paste to apply.
Factory motherboards have thermal pre-applied thermal paste to ensure proper heat transference between your Cooler and CPU. Let’s cover how to do your own check to see if you have enough and the steps necessary. We’ll also discuss the impact that thermal paste has on your system while gaming.
Will Your Motherboard Purchase Come With Thermal Paste?
Modern factory processors have thermal paste applied to the heatsink that sits over the CPU, shielded by a thin sheet of removable plastic rather than the CPU itself.
They no longer come with a small tube of thermal paste, either. You’ll need to buy thermal paste if you buy an aftermarket heatsink.
While the metal base of your Cooler and the IHS (Integrated Heat Sink) of your CPU look like they touch perfectly, there are still imperfections unnoticeable to the eye that can lead to poor heat transference. Thermal paste solves this susceptibility by filling the space and ensuring the heat travels properly.
Proper heat transfer between your Cooler and HIS means your Cooler is more effective at lowering the temperature of your CPU, and your CPU can maintain stability and avoid performance issues like throttling.
Where Do You Check Your CPU For Thermal Paste?
You can check whether your CPU has pre-applied thermal paste by checking the water block or bottom of the base plate of your heatsink attached to your CPU. If you notice a small amount of silver paste – even as tiny as a pea – you don’t need to add more.
How Do You Apply Thermal Paste?
If you need to apply some new thermal paste to your CPU, here’s what you need to do:
- First, you must ensure your CPU is clean and has no traces of old paste.
- Carefully remove any existing paste from your CPU with a microfiber cloth and isopropyl alcohol.
- Leave it to dry before you continue.
- Apply a minimal amount of thermal paste in the center of the CPU, about the size of a pea.
- Lock the CPU in place with the locking lever.
- (Optional) You may slightly wiggle it in place to spread the paste evenly.
- The weight of the cooling unit is generally enough to spread the paste.
- If thermal paste squeezes from under your CPU, you used too much. Carefully remove the excess paste with a round toothpick.
Related:
How Much Thermal Paste For My Gaming Laptop’s CPU or GPU?
How to Detect Faulty CPU Thermal Paste?
