Laptop overheating is one of the most common causes of slow performance, sudden shutdowns, and even component failure. Most often the problem lies in dried out or poor quality thermal paste, which ceases to effectively remove heat from the processor and graphics chip. Replacing thermal paste is a procedure that you can perform yourself, saving on the cost of a service center. However, accuracy is important here: incorrect application can aggravate the situation.

In this article we will analyze the entire process from A to Z: from choosing the right thermal paste to testing the result. You will learn what tools you will need, how to safely disassemble a laptop (including popular models ASUS ROG, Lenovo Legion, MSI And HP Omen), and why some “folk” methods of applying paste can harm your device. We will also reveal the myths about “eternal” thermal pastes and explain when it’s really worth turning to specialists.

Why thermal paste loses its properties and when to change it

Thermal paste is a heat-conducting compound that fills microscopic irregularities between the processor cover (IHS) and radiator. Over time, it dries out, loses its elasticity and becomes covered with microcracks, which leads to:

  • 🔥 Overheating (temperature under load exceeds 90–95°C).
  • ⚡ Throttling — automatic reduction of processor frequency to protect against damage.
  • 💻 Spontaneous shutdowns when gaming or rendering.
  • 🕒 Reduced service life chips (especially important for laptops with NVIDIA or AMD Radeon).

The service life of thermal paste depends on its composition: Silicone (For example, Arctic MX-4) last 2–3 years, metal (like Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut) - up to 5 years, liquid metal (like Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra) - up to 8 years, but require special care when applying. If your laptop is older than 3 years and has never been serviced, replacing the thermal paste is mandatory - even if there are no obvious signs of overheating yet.

⚠️ Attention: Some manufacturers (for example, Apple in models MacBook Pro until 2020) use thermal paste integrated into thermal pads. In this case, replacement requires complete disassembly of the cooling system and is often impractical without experience.
📊 How often do you check the temperature of your laptop?
  • Never
  • Once every six months
  • Only when the lags start
  • After each cleaning

Which thermal paste to choose: 2026 rating

The choice of thermal paste depends on your budget, type of laptop, and your skills. Below is a comparative table of popular options, taking into account their thermal conductivity and application features.

Model Thermal conductivity (W/mK) Type Pros Cons Price (per 1 g)
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut 12.5 Nanopaste High efficiency, long service life Needs breaking in (200 hours), dear ~800 ₽
Arctic MX-6 11.0 Silicone Easy application, no break-in Average service life (3 years) ~400 ₽
Noctua NT-H2 8.5 Hybrid Does not conduct electricity, safe for beginners Lower thermal conductivity than competitors ~500 ₽
Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra 38.4 Liquid metal Record thermal conductivity, service life 8+ years Conducts electricity, difficult to apply ~1200 ₽
Deepcool Z9 11.2 Ceramic Budget-friendly, suitable for office laptops Low durability (1.5–2 years) ~250 ₽

For most gaming laptops (ASUS TUF, Acer Predator) optimal choice - Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut or Arctic MX-6. For office models (Lenovo ThinkPad, Dell Latitude) will do Noctua NT-H2 or Deepcool Z9. Liquid metal pastes (Coollaboratory) are recommended only for experienced users due to the risk of short circuiting if contact is made.

💡

Before purchasing, check the compatibility of the thermal paste with your processor. For example, for Intel Core i9-13900H or AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS It is better to choose a paste with a thermal conductivity of at least 10 W/mK.

Preparing for replacement: tools and disassembling the laptop

Before you begin, make sure you have everything you need. Minimum set of tools:

  • ⚒️ Screwdrivers: cross (PH00 or PH0) and flat for plastic latches.
  • 🧴 Thermal paste (selected from the table above) + alcohol solution (isopropyl, 90%+).
  • 🧻 Lint-free wipes or coffee filters (don't leave lint).
  • 🔍 Plastic pick (to separate the case without scratches).
  • 📦 Screw organizer (so as not to mix it up during assembly).

You will also need: Thermal pads (if you plan to replace them too; measure the thickness with a caliper), Antistatic wrist strap (optional, but recommended to protect components from static electricity).

Disconnect the laptop from the network and remove the battery (if removable) |

Take a photo of the insides before disassembling|

Mark the screws with a marker (if they are different lengths)|

Prepare your work area (clean, level surface) -->

Disassembling a laptop depends on the model. General algorithm:

  1. Turn off the laptop, disconnect all cables and remove the battery (if it is removable).
  2. Remove the screws on the bottom cover (usually hidden under the rubber feet). Look carefully at them - they often come in different lengths!
  3. Gently pry the lid open with a plastic pick, starting from the corner. Do not use force - if the cover does not budge, check that all screws are unscrewed.
  4. After removing the cover, take photographs of the location of all cables and modules (especially Wi-Fi And SSD).
⚠️ Attention: In laptops Apple MacBook (2018 and newer) and some Dell XPS The battery is glued to the body. An attempt to remove it without experience may lead to rupture of the cables. In such cases, it is better to contact the service.

Step-by-step instructions: how to remove old thermal paste and apply new one

Now we move on to the most important stage. Follow the instructions strictly step by step to avoid mistakes:

  1. Cleaning old paste:
    • Dampen a lint-free cloth with isopropyl alcohol (do not use cotton pads - they leave lint!).
    • Gently wipe the surface of the processor (CPU) and graphics chip (GPU) until the old paste is completely removed. Don't press too hard!
    • For dried residue, use a plastic card or wooden stick.
  2. Radiator preparation:
    • Clean the radiator base in the same way. If there are traces of oxidation (green deposits on copper tubes), use an eraser to remove them.
    • Check the thermal pads on the memory chip (VRAM) - if they delaminate or harden, replace them.
  3. Applying new paste:
    • For processor (CPU): Squeeze a pea-sized (≈5mm) drop of paste into the center of the lid. With radiator pressure it will be evenly distributed.
    • For graphics chip (GPU): if the chip is large (as in NVIDIA RTX 4070), apply the paste in a cross or two stripes.
    • Never use the "smearing" method with your finger or card - this creates air bubbles that impair heat transfer.
  4. Assembly:
    • Reinstall the radiator, tightening the screws evenly diagonally (in a criss-cross pattern). Don't overtighten!
    • Connect all the cables and cables, focusing on the photos taken earlier.
    • Close the cover and tighten all screws.

For liquid metal paste (Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra) the process is different:

you need to apply it thin layer (~0.1 mm thick) with a spatula or plastic card, avoiding contacts around the chip. Once applied, allow the paste to harden for 5-10 minutes before assembling.

What to do if thermal paste gets on the motherboard?

If paste (especially liquid metal) gets on contacts or components:

1. Immediately unplug your laptop.

2. Gently remove the paste with alcohol and a cotton swab.

3. Let the board dry for 24 hours (10-15 minutes is enough for isopropyl alcohol).

4. Check with a multimeter for absence of short circuits between the contacts.

If the paste gets under the chip, the service requires resoldering.

How to check the result: temperature testing

After assembly, you need to make sure that the replacement was successful. To do this:

  1. Install a temperature monitoring program:
    • HWMonitor (for Windows) - shows temperatures CPU/GPU and frequencies.
    • Core Temp - specializes in processors Intel And AMD.
    • MSI Afterburner - for video cards NVIDIA And AMD.
    • Macs Fan Control - for laptops MacBook.
  2. Run the stress test:
    • For CPU: use Prime95 (mode Small FFTs) or Cinebench R23 (multi-threaded test).
    • For GPU: FurMark or 3DMark (test Time Spy).
  • Compare the results:
    Component Temperature before replacement Temperature after The norm for gaming laptops
    Intel Core i7/i9 (under load) 95–100°C 75–85°C up to 90°C
    AMD Ryzen 7/9 (under load) 90–98°C 70–80°C up to 85°C
    NVIDIA RTX 30/40 (game session) 85–92°C 65–75°C up to 80°C

    • If temperatures have not changed or increased, possible reasons:

    • 🔧 Insufficient amount of paste (check if there are any voids left).
    • 🔥 Poor contact of the radiator (distorted when tightening the screws).
    • 💨 The cooling system is clogged with dust (the fan needs additional cleaning).
    • 🔋 Malfunction of thermal tubes in the radiator (requires replacement).
    💡

    If, after replacing the thermal paste, temperatures under load exceed 90°C, the problem may not lie in the paste, but in a worn-out cooling system (for example, dried out thermal pads on memory chips or a faulty fan).

    Common mistakes and how to avoid them

    Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that ruin all their efforts. Here are the most common of them:

    • 🧴 Too much pasta - Excess may leak onto the motherboard components, causing a short circuit. The optimal volume is a pea-sized drop (0.1–0.2 ml).
    • 🔧 Uneven tightening of radiator screws - leads to misalignment and poor contact. Tighten the screws in a crisscross pattern in 2-3 increments.
    • 🧼 Using household alcohol or acetone for cleaning - they leave a film that impairs heat transfer. Only isopropyl alcohol 90%+!
    • 💨 Ignoring fan cleaning - even with new paste, the dusty radiator will not cope with cooling. Blow it with compressed air or rinse it under running water (after it has completely dried!).
    • ⚡ Working without an antistatic wrist strap - static electricity can damage sensitive chips (especially important for laptops with M.2 SSD).

    Another common mistake is Using expired thermal paste. For example, Arctic MX-4 Once the tube is opened, it can be stored for no more than 2 years. Expired paste loses thermal conductivity and may contain lumps.

    ⚠️ Attention: In laptops with vapor chamber (steam chamber, as in ASUS ROG Zephyrus or Razer Blade) replacing thermal paste requires complete disassembly of the cooling system. Incorrect assembly will lead to liquid leakage from the chamber and failure of the laptop.

    When is the best time to contact a service center?

    Despite its apparent simplicity, there are situations when replacing thermal paste yourself is risky:

    • 🔧 Laptop under warranty - opening the case will void the warranty of most manufacturers (exception: models with "user-upgradeable" components like Framework Laptop).
    • 💻 Complex design - for example, MacBook Pro with soldered battery or Dell XPS with adhesive fastening of the body.
    • 🔥 Damage to the motherboard — if during disassembly you see swollen capacitors, traces of oxidation or burnt tracks, diagnostics by a specialist is required.
    • 🛠️ The need for re-soldering — if the thermal paste gets under the chip or the thermal pads on the memory chips need to be replaced (VRAM).

    The cost of replacing thermal paste in the service varies from 1,500 to 4,000 rubles depending on the laptop model. For comparison: an independent replacement will cost 300–1,200 ₽ (price of paste + alcohol). However, if you are not confident in your skills, it is better to overpay for professional work - errors during disassembly can cost many times more.

    When choosing a service, pay attention to reviews and the availability of diagnostic equipment. A good master should:

    • Use infrared thermometer to check temperatures before and after replacement.
    • Offer cleaning the cooling system in combination (replacing the paste without cleaning the radiator is pointless).
    • Provide a guarantee on the work (usually 1–3 months).

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about replacing thermal paste

    Can I use thermal paste from a computer for a laptop?

    Yes, thermal pastes are universal. However, for laptops it is better to choose compounds with high thermal conductivity (from 8 W/mK), since the cooling system here is less efficient than in desktop PCs. Avoid cheap toothpastes (eg. KPT-8) - they dry quickly and may contain abrasive particles.

    How often should you change the thermal paste in your laptop?

    Depends on intensity of use:

    • Office laptops (Lenovo ThinkPad, HP EliteBook) - once every 3–4 years.
    • Gaming laptops (ASUS ROG, MSI Raider) - once every 1.5–2 years.
    • Laptops with liquid metal paste - once every 5–8 years.

    Signs for early replacement: temperature rise by 10–15°C compared to the “new” state or frequent throttling.

    What to do if after replacing the thermal paste the laptop starts to heat up more?

    Possible causes and solutions:

    1. Poor radiator contact - Disassemble the laptop and check that the screws are tightened evenly.
    2. Air bubbles in paste - remove the old paste and apply a new one without smearing it.
    3. Forgot to connect the fan — check whether the cooler spins under load.
    4. Thermal tube malfunction — if the radiator is cold and the chip is hot, the cooling system needs to be replaced.

    If the problem persists, return the old paste and contact service.

    Is it possible to apply thermal paste to memory chips (VRAM)?

    No! For memory chips are used thermal pads (usually 0.5–1.5 mm thick). Thermal paste will not provide uniform heat distribution over a large area of ​​the chip. If the gaskets are worn out, replace them with new ones (for example, Fujipoly or Arctic Thermal Pad).

    Which thermal paste is best for laptops with AMD Ryzen?

    Processors AMD Ryzen (especially the series 5000 And 6000) heat up more than Intel, therefore, pastes with thermal conductivity from 11 W/mK are recommended for them:

    • Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut (12.5 W/mK) - the best choice for Ryzen 9.
    • Thermalright TFX (11.8 W/mK) - a budget alternative.
    • Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra (38.4 W/mK) - for extreme cooling, but requires experience.

    Avoid zinc oxide based toothpastes (eg. KPT-8) - they quickly degrade at high temperatures.