Many users of computer technology are faced with the problem of overheating. Each laptop is equipped with a cooling system, but after a couple of years of operation, this device begins to overheat during operation. The problem is that it is necessary to change the thermal interface from time to time, but many users do not do this for one reason or another. What it is and what it is intended for we will consider in this article.
What is thermal grease, its features
Thermal grease is a thick silicone-like plastic mass that has good thermal conductivity. It consists of various synthetic oils, metal powders, etc. It is used for proper cooling of electronic devices.
With the help of thermal paste fill the empty space between the processor and the cooler radiator to prevent overheating of the main part. It also provides heat transfer from the processor to the cooling system.
The disadvantage of this type of thermal interface is - drying and loss of its properties during operation of the laptop. The term of use of thermal paste ranges from 12 to 36 months, depending on the manufacturer, the loads on the laptop, etc.
Attention! Thermal grease must be changed at least once a year, since most laptops fail due to the fact that they overheat.
What is a thermal pad
Thermal pad is a thin elastic sheet, which consists of a base and a filler. The filler may be graphite or ceramic.
This thermal interface is used to cool important parts of the laptop, which are characterized by high temperature conditions. In most cases, it is glued to video card chips, power supply circuits, etc.
Important! Thermal pad can fill the space in excess of 0.05 cm.
There are several types of thermal pads and they differ depending on the characteristics:
- conducted heat;
- thickness, which can vary from 0.5 mm to 5 mm;
- constructions (single-layer, two-layer);
- the material from which they are made: rubber, silicone, copper or aluminum.
Attention!If you decide to change the thermal padding on your laptop, then be sure to pay attention to its thickness, thermal conductivity coefficient and other characteristics. Also, do not purchase a thermal interface, which has an expiration date coming to an end.
What is better to choose - thermal grease or thermal pad
When choosing a thermal interface, you should pay attention to its advantages and disadvantages. Let us consider in detail the general features and differences of thermal paste from thermal pads:
- Thermal grease is used to fill the minimum distance between the part and the cooling system, about 0.3 mm, and the thermal pad is designed to fill a larger space, close to 1 mm.
- Replacing any type of thermal interface has its own nuances. To apply a new layer of thermal paste, you must first clean the old one, and then apply a thin and uniform layer. When replacing thermal pads, it is necessary to take into account the size, thickness and other factors in order to correctly select a new thermal seal. Still, the second view is easier to replace than the first.
- Their cost is about the same.
- The life of thermal pads longer than thermal paste.
- Thermal paste exceeds thermal padding by thermal conductivity.
It is difficult to say that it is better to use thermal paste or thermal padding, but many experts recommend using thermal padding for laptops, since the processor for such devices heats up faster than conventional computers. Due to the constant movement of this electronic device, this type of thermal interface will be more reliable and practical.
It is not recommended to change the thermal grease to thermal grease, as this may lead to deterioration of the processor and loosening of the cooling system. It is also forbidden to apply one view to another, as this may lead to a deterioration in thermal conductivity, and as a result will lead to a breakdown of the motherboard or the processor itself.
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