Thermal grease is a type of heat-conducting paste used between two surfaces in order to improve their thermal conductivity. It is typically composed of metal oxides suspended in a silicone- or mineral oil-based gel carrier. An essential component for maximising efficient heat transfer and dissipating it away from your devices, it significantly reduces the need for expensive cooling systems. The thermally conductive material is designed to fill in any microscopic imperfections between the heat sink and the device, replacing outward airflow with superior thermal conduction. This means that there's no space for air to act as a thermal insulator, boosting your electronic components' performance.
Thermal grease is also known by a number of names including:
CPU grease
Heat paste
Thermal paste
Heat sink compound or paste
Thermal compound, gel or paste
Thermal interface material
Most commonly applied on the interface between a CPU and a heatsink, or between a GPU and a heatsink, thermal paste can be used in other situations as well - think MOSFET transistors and more. It is known for pushing your power-hungry electronics harder than ever before without sacrificing stability or longevity. Thermal grease may just be what you need for elevating the performance of your PCs, laptops and other devices.
That being said, there also are other types of products on the market to eliminate the air gap under a heat sink:
Thermal Adhesive
Thermal Gap Pads
Thermal grease plays an important role in electronics manufacturing because it helps dissipate heat from components such as processors, graphics cards, motherboards, and other electronic components that generate high levels of heat during operation. Properly applied thermal paste can reduce temperatures by up to 10°C (18°F). This can help prevent devices from overheating due to poor heat dissipation and can also extend their lifespan significantly. Additionally, using thermal grease can reduce noise levels produced by fans as they work harder to cool components without proper insulation.
Applying thermal paste is a relatively simple process, but there are a few key things to remember in order to ensure optimal cooling performance.
For CPU heatsink units, be sure to remove all old thermal paste from the CPU and heatsink before applying new thermal grease. You can do this by cleaning it with a cotton swab or q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol. Next, use a small amount of thermal paste on the centre of the CPU then use your fingers or a thin blade to spread the thermal paste evenly across the surface of the CPU. Finally, place the heatsink on top of the CPU and apply pressure evenly until it is seated firmly in place.
If you're looking to buy reliable thermal paste, look no further than RS. Stocked with products from reputable brands such as Cooler Master, Noctua, Arctic, Thermal Grizzly and more at affordable prices, you can rest assured that your devices will be effectively safeguarded against temperature-related damage. Contact us today for more information.