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If you’re looking for an easy and reliable way to improve your computer’s cooling, applying the right thermal paste to your motherboard’s chips can make a big difference. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you do it correctly.
First, identify the key chips on your motherboard. You’ll find the larger chip, which includes the CPU, integrated GPU, cache, and memory controller. Next to it, there’s a smaller chip known as the Platform Controller Hub or PCH, which manages I/O functions.
When applying thermal paste, focus only on these two rectangular chips. Clean the surfaces gently with a suitable cleaning solution and a lint-free cloth to remove any old thermal paste or debris. Once the chips are clean and dry, squeeze a small amount of high-quality thermal paste, like Arctic MX-4, onto the center of each chip. You don’t need much — just enough to cover the surface evenly when it spreads out.
If you want, you can also use another thermal compound such as Honeywell PTM7950, which sometimes performs better in certain laptops. However, it can be trickier to find and apply properly. For most users, Arctic MX-4 offers a good balance of performance and ease of use.
After applying the paste, carefully attach your heatsinks or cooling units, making sure they press down evenly. This helps spread the thermal paste evenly across the surface, maximizing heat transfer. Then, reassemble your device and power it up. You should notice improved cooling and potentially quieter operation.
Remember, only apply thermal paste to these two chips, and do so with care. Proper application can help your system run cooler and extend its lifespan.
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