Laptop overheating is one of the most common problems that users encounter after 2-3 years of active use. Most often the culprit is worn out thermal pads (aka thermal paste in solid form), which lose their thermal conductivity properties, dry out or even crumble. If your ASUS ROG, Lenovo Legion or MSI GF63 started to suddenly turn off, slow down in games or heat up to 90°C in simple tasks - it’s time to think about replacing.

In this article we will figure out how change thermal pads yourself without the risk of damaging your laptop, what materials to choose for GPU And VRM, as well as how to avoid common mistakes. You will learn why cheap analogues can aggravate the problem, how to properly clean old residues, and when it is better to trust a service center. If your hands are growing out of the right place, follow the instructions and don’t miss the warnings!

When you need to replace thermal pads: 5 obvious signs

Thermal pads are not a component that needs to be replaced “just in case.” Their resource is usually 3-5 years, but with intense loads (mining, rendering, games) the period is reduced to 1.5-2 years. Here are the key signs that it's time to act:

  • 🔥Laptop switches off when under load (for example, in Cyberpunk 2077 or Blender) due to thermal protection tripping.
  • 📉 Temperature CPU/GPU in HWMonitor or AIDA64 exceeds 95°C even in the BIOS menu.
  • 🎮 Performance drops: FPS in games it sags by 30-50% after 10-15 minutes of play (throttling).
  • 🔊 Coolers work on maximum speed constantly, even when watching a video YouTube.
  • 💥 Visible on the motherboard darkening or smudges near the chips (a sign of overheating VRM).

If at least 2-3 items from the list apply to you, don’t put off replacing them. Ignoring overheating leads to degradation of the solder on the chips, which may require resoldering the video card or processor (price - from 15,000 ₽).

⚠️ Attention: If the laptop turns off immediately after turning it on (after 1-2 seconds), the problem may not be in the thermal pads, but in short circuit or malfunction VRM. In this case, self-repair is dangerous!

Which thermal pads to choose: comparison of materials and brands

The market offers dozens of thermal pad options, but not all of them are equally effective. Main parameters when choosing:

  • 🔹 Thermal conductivity (measured in W/mK). Optimally - 8-12 W/mK for GPU/CPU, 3-5 W/mK for VRM.
  • 🔹 Thickness. Measure the gap between the chip and the radiator caliper (usually 0.5–2 mm).
  • 🔹 Softness. Hard gaskets fill micro-irregularities worse.
  • 🔹 Electrical conductivity. For VRM take it non-conductive options (for example, Arctic Thermal Pad).
Brand/Model Thermal conductivity (W/mK) Thickness (mm) Price (per sheet 100×100 mm) Better for
Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad 8 8.0 0.5–3.0 ~1 200 ₽ GPU/CPU (gaming laptops)
Arctic Thermal Pad 6.0 0.5–2.0 ~800 ₽ VRM, budget laptops
Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra 15.0 (liquid metal) — ~1,500 ₽ (5 g) CPU/GPU (only for experienced)
Fujipoly Ultra Extreme 11.0 0.5–1.5 ~1 800 ₽ Professional stations

For most laptops (Lenovo Y7000, HP Omen, Acer Predator) optimal choice - Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad 8 or Fujipoly 11 W/mK. If your budget is limited, take it Arctic, but keep in mind that their thermal conductivity is 25-30% lower.

⚠️ Attention: Liquid metal (Coollaboratory, Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut) gives the best result, but requires contact insulation Kapton tape. One wrong step and a short circuit is guaranteed!
📊 What thermal pads do you use?
  • Thermal Grizzly
  • Arctic
  • Fujipoly
  • Coollaboratory (liquid metal)
  • Others

Preparing for replacement: tools and disassembling the laptop

Before you begin, prepare everything you need. Without the right tools, you risk damaging cables, stripping screws, or leaving marks on the motherboard.

  • 🔧 Screwdriver set: cross PH00, hexagon (for some Dell Alienware), plastic spatulas.
  • 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) and lint-free cleaning wipes.
  • 📏 Vernier caliper or a micrometer to measure the thickness of the gaskets.
  • 🧲 Magnetic mat or a container for screws (so as not to lose!).
  • 🔥 Hair dryer or hot air station (to remove old gaskets).

Disassembling a laptop depends on the model. General algorithm:

  1. Turn off the laptop, disconnect the battery (if removable).
  2. Remove the bottom cover (on some models, e.g. MacBook Pro, will be required special suction cup for display).
  3. Disconnect the cables SSD, Wi-Fi module and battery (if non-removable).
  4. Unscrew the cooling system screws and remove the radiator.

At this point you will see the old thermal pads. They may be:

  • 🟤 Yellow-brown color (severely worn, require urgent replacement).
  • 🖤 Black and hard (delaminated, do not conduct heat).
  • 🟢 Green or blue (liquid metal, often found in MSI And Gigabyte).

Turned off the power and removed the battery|

I photographed the location of the cables and screws|

Prepared antistatic mat or gloves|

I checked the disassembly instructions for my model (YouTube/ifixit)|

Mark the polarity of the cables with a marker (if they are not symmetrical)

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Step-by-step instructions: how to remove old gaskets and install new ones

The most important step is removing the old thermal pads and installing new ones. Accuracy is important here: remnants of old material can impair heat transfer, and improperly cut gaskets can lead to overheating.

Step 1: Removing Old Gaskets

Do not try to scrape them off with a knife or screwdriver! This will scratch the chips. Correct way:

  1. Heat the pads hairdryer at 100-150°C for 1-2 minutes (they will become softer).
  2. Gently pry plastic spatula and remove it.
  3. Remove any leftovers isopropyl alcohol wipe (do not use acetone!).
  4. For liquid metal use special cleaner (For example, Arctic ArctiClean).

Step 2: Cutting and installing new gaskets

Need new gaskets cut to size chips with a margin of 0.5-1 mm. Use sharp scissors or a utility knife. Styling:

  1. Apply a thin layer to the chip thermal paste (For example, Noctua NT-H2) - this will improve contact.
  2. Place the gasket, press lightly (do not press!).
  3. For VRM use thick gaskets 0.5–1 mm.
  4. If you are using liquid metal - insulate contacts Kapton tape!

After installation, reassemble the laptop in reverse order. Do not over-tighten the radiator screws - this may deform the motherboard.

💡

If the gaskets are too thick and the radiator does not fit tightly, carefully grind them off sandpaper (1000 grit), placing it on a flat surface (for example, glass).

Testing after replacement: how to check the result

Replacing thermal pads is only half the battle. Now you need to make sure that the temperature has really dropped and the laptop is not throttling. To do this:

  1. Run a stress test:
    • 🎮 For GPU: FurMark or 3DMark (test Time Spy).
    • 🖥️ For CPU: Prime95 or Cinebench R23 (multi-threaded test).
  • Monitor your temperature in HWInfo64 or GPU-Z.
  • Compare with previous indicators (before replacement).

    • Normal temperatures after replacement:

    • 🟢 Gaming laptops (RTX 3060/4070, Ryzen 7/9): up to 80-85°C under load.
    • 🟡 Office laptops (Intel U-series, MX450): up to 70-75°C.
    • 🔴 Limit: if the temperature exceeds 90°C - something went wrong (check the installation of the gaskets!).

    If temperatures have not changed or increased:

    • ❌ Gaskets too thick/thin (check clearances).
    • ❌ Insufficient radiator clamp (recheck the screws).
    • ❌ Remnants of old material not completely removed.
    💡

    If after replacement the laptop becomes turn off less often, but temperatures are still high (85°C+), the problem may be dust in the radiator or dried thermal paste on the processor. Clean the cooling system and change the paste (for example, Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut).

    Common mistakes when replacing thermal pads (and how to avoid them)

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

    • 🔨 Using the wrong thickness. Gaskets that are too thin will not fill the gap, and gaskets that are too thick will reduce the pressure. Always measure with a caliper!
    • 🧴 Saving on materials. Gaskets for 200 ₽ per AliExpress often have thermal conductivity 2-3 times lower than declared.
    • 🔥 Overheating when removing old gaskets. A hair dryer at maximum power can melt cables or capacitors.
    • 🔌 Forgetting to insulate contacts when using liquid metal. The result is a short circuit and repairs for 10,000+ rubles.
    • 🔧 Incorrect assembly. Unconnected loop Wi-Fi or a skewed radiator are common causes of new problems.

    Another common mistake is ignoring thermal paste on the processor. Many people only change gaskets to GPU/VRM, forgetting that the thermal paste is on CPU It could also have dried out. Always update it when disassembling!

    ⚠️ Attention: If after replacing the laptop doesn't turn on at all, check:
    • Connection RAM (remove and reinsert the strips).
    • Motherboard power cable (sometimes comes off during assembly).
    • Short circuit (shine a flashlight to see if there are any foreign objects under the radiator).

    When is it better to contact the service: 3 cases

    It is not always advisable to replace thermal pads yourself. Here are situations when it is better to trust the professionals:

    • 💻 Laptop under warranty. Self-disassembly will void the warranty (exception: models with user-upgradeable components, for example Framework Laptop).
    • 🔧 Complex design. Some laptops (MacBook Pro M1, Razer Blade) require special equipment (for example, to remove the display).
    • ⚡ Eating problems. If the laptop turns off immediately after turning it on or shows no signs of life, the reason may be VRM or BIOS, and not in thermal pads.

    Service replacement cost:

    • 🟢 Standard laptops (Lenovo IdeaPad, Acer Aspire): 1 500–3 000 ₽.
    • 🟡 Gaming laptops (ASUS TUF, MSI Katana): 3 000–5 000 ₽.
    • 🔴 MacBook, Razer, Alienware: 5 000–10 000 ₽ (due to the difficulty of disassembly).

    If you are not confident in your skills, do not take risks. Error when working with VRM or GPU may cost re-soldering of chips (from 15,000 ₽).

    What should I do if the temperature increases after replacement?

    If after installing new gaskets the temperature becomes higherthan before replacement, the reasons may be as follows:

    1. The gaskets are too thick — the radiator does not press against the chips. Solution: replace with thinner ones or grind off the current ones.

    2. Poor contact due to remnants of old material. Solution: Repeat cleaning with isopropyl alcohol.

    3. Radiator is deformed (for example, after a laptop falls). Solution: replace the radiator or straighten it (at a service center).

    4. The thermal paste on the CPU has dried out. Solution: Apply a new one (for example, Noctua NH2).

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about replacing thermal pads

    ❓ Is it possible to use thermal paste instead of thermal pads?

    ❌ No, it is strictly not recommended. Thermal paste is not intended for filling large gaps (0.5 mm or more) - it will simply leak out or dry out after a few months. Thermal pads are needed for long-term And stable heat exchange with VRM And GPU.

    ❓ How often do you need to change thermal pads?

    Service life depends on material and loads:

    • 🟢 Silicone gaskets (6-8 W/mK): once every 2-3 years.
    • 🟡 Liquid metal: once every 4-5 years (but requires careful installation).
    • 🔴 Cheap gaskets (3-4 W/mK): may require replacement within 1 year.

    If the laptop is used for mining or rendering, reduce the interval by 30-40%.

    ❓ Is it possible to use thermal pads from a phone (for example, for Xiaomi)?

    ⚠️ You can, but with reservations:

    • ✅ Suitable for VRM or small chips (thermal conductivity is usually 3-5 W/mK).
    • ❌ Not suitable for GPU/CPU - too thin and with low thermal conductivity.
    • ⚠️ Please check before use thickness with calipers!

    ❓ What to do if the gasket breaks during installation?

    If the gasket is torn slightly (edge), can be carefully trimmed with a knife and used. If the gap strong:

    1. Remove residues with alcohol.
    2. Cut a new gasket (preferably from the same material).
    3. If there is no material, use it temporarily thermal paste, but replace it with a gasket as soon as possible.

    ❓ Why did the laptop become louder after replacing the gaskets?

    Possible reasons:

    • 🔊 Improved heat dissipation — coolers now cool more efficiently, so they operate at higher speeds.
    • 🌀 Dust in the radiator (even after replacing the gaskets). Solution: Blow with compressed air.
    • ⚙️ Incorrect BIOS settings (for example, the mode is turned on Performance instead of Balanced).

    If the noise does not decrease after 1-2 days, check cooler speed curve in MSI Afterburner or ThrottleStop.