Like glue, thermal paste is almost essential when it comes to heat management on a computer. While the internal components work to keep the system cool, they generate heat as well.
The primary job of thermal paste is to act as a barrier between the CPU and the motherboard, working to keep the former cool while the latter works to radiate the heat away.
Without thermal paste, the CPU would likely overheat, causing it to malfunction.
Does thermal paste come with the motherboard? You can’t help to wonder when shopping for a new motherboard.
No, thermal paste is bought separately. However, there are other important things you should know about thermal paste and a motherboard.
Do you need thermal paste between CPU and motherboard?
No, however, thermal paste helps a lot in heat management between the CPU, GPU and motherboard.
A CPU generates its own heat, as do other internal components. The function of thermal paste is to act as a barrier between the CPU and the motherboard.
Without this layer of protection, the CPU may overheat and malfunction.
Can thermal paste damage the motherboard socket?
If you don’t know what you’re doing, using thermal paste can actually be dangerous. This is because it’s a liquid and if too much of it seeps into the motherboard, it can cause damage to the socket.
This means that you have to be careful when applying the thermal paste and should avoid adding too much. You should also clean the surface thoroughly before applying any thermal paste.
A dirty surface can negatively affect the performance of your motherboard and make everything work less effectively.
Do you need thermal paste for the new motherboard?
When shopping for a new or replacement motherboard, one of the first things you may notice is that it doesn’t come with thermal paste. Don’t worry, you’ll need to buy a tube separately.
One of the most important aspects of any computer is managing the heat that builds up when all the components are working hard.
If your computer isn’t properly cooled, your processor will overheat and may even malfunction. The thermal paste helps manage this issue by acting as a barrier between the CPU and motherboard.
The downside of thermal paste is that it needs to be replaced regularly as its performance gradually diminishes over time.
Installing a new or replacement board without thermal paste, you could encounter problems such as overheating processors or other malfunctions due to poor heat management. That’s why it’s always important to get a thermal paste.
Final Thoughts
No, thermal paste is not included with the motherboard. However, there are several important things to know about it and a motherboard.
Thermal paste can be applied to the CPU before putting it in place on the motherboard. This can be done with a thin layer to fill in any gaps and improve contact between the two components.
A small amount of thermal paste will suffice for a system build as long as you apply it correctly.
Be sure to use a small dot at every point where the CPU would touch the base of the cooler as well as near all four corners of the chip.
If you’re overclocking, you may need to apply more than just a thin layer of thermal paste. You should also be careful not to overdo it with too much heat sink compound.
The last thing that you want is for your computer heatsink to be so heavy that it bends or breaks your motherboard due to its weight.
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