Laptops ASUS - a popular choice among gamers, designers and office users, but over time, even the most reliable models begin to suffer from overheating. The main reason? Dried or degraded thermal paste between the processor/video card and the cooling system. If your ASUS ROG Strix, TUF Gaming or ZenBook starts making loud noise, slows down under load, or suddenly turns off - it’s time to think about replacing the thermal interface.
In this article you will find step by step instructions with nuances for different series of laptops ASUS, tips for choosing thermal paste (including liquid metal for extreme cooling), and unique recommendations for disassembling models with soldered RAM. We will figure out what tools you will need, how to avoid common mistakes when applying paste, and what to do if the temperature does not drop after replacement. Ready to get your laptop back to its former performance?
Signs that it's time to change the thermal paste
First signal - elevated temperature even under minimal loads. If in games or rendering the processor Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 9 accelerates to 95–100°C, and the cooler operates at maximum speed, this is a sure sign of a problem. But there are other symptoms:
- 🔊 Fans constantly run at high speeds, even in idle mode.
- 🐢 The laptop begins to “slow down” or reduce performance (
thermal throttling) under load. - 🔄 Unexpected shutdowns or reboots while playing games/working with heavy programs.
- 🌡️ GPU temperature (e.g. NVIDIA RTX 3060) exceeds 85°C in stress tests.
It is especially critical to monitor the condition of thermal paste in laptops of the series ROG Zephyrus And TUF Dash — their compact cases and powerful hardware require effective cooling. If you ignore the problem, the consequences can be serious: from reduced battery life to chip failure.
⚠️ Attention: On laptops ASUS with hybrid graphics (NVIDIA Optimus) overheating is often disguised as “lag” in games. Check temperatures viaHWMonitororMSI Afterburner- if the GPU heats up to 90°C at 60% load, the problem is definitely in the thermal interface.
- Once a month
- Only when the lags start
- Never checked
- After each cleaning
Which thermal paste to choose for an ASUS laptop
The choice of thermal interface depends on the laptop model and your requirements. For most users, classic silicone-based pastes are suitable, but owners of top-end ROG Strix Scar or Zephyrus G14 It is worth considering liquid metal or high-performance compounds.
| Thermal paste type | Examples of brands | Temperature range | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone (standard) | Arctic MX-6, Noctua NT-H2 | –40°C to +150°C | Office laptops, mid-range gaming |
| High performance | Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut, Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra | –50°C to +200°C | Gaming laptops (RTX 30/40 series) |
| Liquid metal | Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut, Coollaboratory Liquid Pro | –200°C to +350°C | Extreme acceleration ASUS ROG with Ryzen 9/Intel i9 |
| Ceramic | Arctic Ceramique, Deepcool Z5 | –30°C to +250°C | Budget models, undemanding tasks |
For laptops with soldered RAM (For example, ASUS Vivobook Pro) it is important to choose a paste with low electrical conductivity to avoid short circuits if accidentally applied to the contacts. Liquid metal is not recommended here - unless you plan to remove the radiator in the next 2-3 years.
Before purchasing, check the compatibility of the thermal paste with copper/aluminum radiators. Some compounds (for example, Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra) can oxidize aluminum with prolonged use.
Tools and preparation for replacement
To replace thermal paste on a laptop ASUS, you will need:
- ⚒️ Screwdriver set: Phillips (
PH00), flat, torx (T5for some models). - 🧴 Thermal paste (3-5 g is enough for one application).
- 🧹 Brush or can of compressed air to clean dust.
- 🧻 Lint-free wipes and isopropyl alcohol (90%+).
- 🔧 Plastic pick or credit card for removing the radiator.
Also prepare your work area: a table with good lighting, an antistatic mat (if available) and a container for screws (you can use a magnetic backing). Required Take photos of the disassembly process - this will help you avoid mixing up the screws during reassembly.
☑️ Preparing to replace thermal paste
⚠️ Attention: In laptops ASUS ROG Strix G15/G17 (2021-2023) uses screws of different lengths to secure the heatsink. If you mix them up, you risk damaging the motherboard! Label the screws or arrange them in groups.
Step-by-step instructions for replacing thermal paste
The disassembly process may vary depending on the model, but the general scheme is the same. Let's look at an example ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (FA506):
Step 1: Turn off the power and remove the cover
Turn off the laptop, unplug the charger and remove the battery (if it is removable). For models with a non-removable battery (for example, ZenBook 14) just disconnect the battery cable from the motherboard. Then carefully pry the back cover latches with a plastic pick - they often break when opened roughly!
Step 2: Removing the cooling system
Unscrew all the screws securing the radiator (usually 6-8 pieces). In laptops ASUS ROG You may need to remove the fans first. Be careful: radiator heat pipes are fragile! After unscrewing, gently rock the heatsink from side to side - the thermal paste could “stick” to the processor.
Step 3: Clean and apply new paste
Remove old thermal paste with a lint-free cloth soaked in isopropyl alcohol. For hard-to-reach places, use cotton swabs. Apply new paste thin layer (pea-sized for CPU and GPU). For liquid metal, a drop with a diameter of 3-4 mm is enough - it will spread under the pressure of the radiator.
How to properly apply thermal paste to GPU?
On video cards NVIDIA in laptops ASUS the chip is often covered with thermal pads. Don't put paste on them! Only on the exposed surface of the GPU, avoiding contact with resistors around it.
Step 4: Build and Test
Reinstall the radiator and tighten the screws criss-cross (to avoid distortion) and connect all cables. After assembly, turn on the laptop and check the temperatures in AIDA64 or HWInfo. Optimal values under load: up to 80°C for CPU and 75°C for GPU.
If after replacement the temperatures have not dropped, check whether the heatsink is tight, whether the screws are skewed, or whether the paste has got on the RAM/chipset contacts.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that ruin all their efforts. Here are the most common:
- 🔧 Retightening the radiator screws — leads to deformation of heat pipes and deterioration of heat transfer. Tighten the screws with a force of no more than 0.5–0.6 Nm.
- 🎨 Too much thermal paste - Excess may leak onto the motherboard and cause a short circuit. For the CPU, an amount the size of a grain of rice is sufficient.
- 🔄 Ignoring Thermal Pads - in laptops ASUS they are often used to cool the VRM and chipset. If the gaskets are dry, replace them with new ones (1–1.5 mm thick).
- 🧲 Lost screws - in ROG Strix G16 Up to 12 screws of different lengths are used. Store them in a magnetic container with markings.
Another typical problem is incorrect assembly sequence. For example, in ASUS Zephyrus G14 First you need to connect the touchpad cable, and only then install the battery. Otherwise the lid will not close! Always check the official manuals or video tutorials for your model.
Features of replacing thermal paste in different ASUS series
Laptop design ASUS varies greatly depending on the series. Here are the key details:
| Laptop series | Disassembly Features | Recommended thermal paste |
|---|---|---|
| ROG Strix/Scar (G15/G17) | Removal of the keyboard is required to access the heatsink. Screws under rubber feet. | Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut or liquid metal |
| TUF Gaming (A15/A17) | Easy disassembly, but weak thermal pads on VRM - replace with Fujipoly. | Arctic MX-6 or Noctua NT-H2 |
| ZenBook (UX391/UX425) | Ultra-thin case - risk of damage to cables. Use a plastic pick. | Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra (only for experienced) |
| Vivobook Pro (N7600) | Soldered RAM and SSD - high component density. Clean with alcohol carefully! | Thermalright TFX (low electrical conductivity) |
In laptops ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo (with two screens) the replacement process is complicated by the need to remove the second display. Here it is better to contact a service center if you do not have experience working with multi-component devices.
What to do if the laptop gets hotter after replacing the thermal paste
If the temperatures not only did not fall, but also increased, check the following points:
- Quality of paste application — there may be air bubbles remaining. Remove the heatsink and reapply the paste, spreading it evenly over the surface of the chip.
- Radiator tightness — the gaskets between the radiator and the housing could have moved. Make sure all screws are tightened with the same amount of torque.
- Condition of thermal pads - If they are cracked or become too thin, replace them. For ASUS gaskets will fit Fujipoly Extreme 1 mm thick.
- Dust in the cooling system - even after replacing the paste, the radiator fins clogged with dust will negate all efforts. Blow them out with compressed air.
If the problem persists, it may be degraded heat pipe (a common problem in laptops older than 5 years). In this case, the radiator will need to be replaced or revitalized (refilled with coolant).
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to use liquid metal in an ASUS laptop with an aluminum radiator?
Yes, but with reservations. Liquid metal (Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut) is compatible with aluminum, but requires galvanic isolation (for example, a thin layer of varnish on contact pads). Without insulation, corrosion can occur over time. For long-term use, it is better to choose gallium-based paste (Coollaboratory Liquid Pro), which is less aggressive.
How often should you change the thermal paste in an ASUS laptop?
The service life of thermal paste depends on its type and operating conditions:
- Silicone pastes (Arctic MX-6) - once every 2–3 years.
- High performance (Kryonaut) - once every 3–4 years.
- Liquid metal - once every 5+ years (but requires careful application).
If the laptop is used for gaming or rendering, check the condition of the paste annually.
What should I do if the heat pipes come off when removing the radiator?
This is a critical failure - the laptop will not cool properly. Solutions options:
- Replace the entire radiator (original or an analogue from Cooler Master).
- Contact a service for soldering tubes (expensive, but possible for models ROG Strix).
- Use an external cooler (Cooling Pad) as a temporary solution.
Do not try to glue the tubes together yourself - this will not restore thermal conductivity!
Do I need to change the thermal paste on the video card of an ASUS laptop?
Yes, if the GPU is actively used (games, 3D modeling). In laptops ASUS with NVIDIA RTX The video card often gets hotter than the CPU. Apply the paste as you would on the CPU, but avoid getting it on the GPU memory (the little black chips around the main die). For RTX 40-series It is recommended to use paste with high thermal conductivity (>12 W/mK).
Is it possible to replace thermal paste without removing the radiator?
Technically possible, but highly not recommended. Without removing the radiator you will not be able to:
- Completely clean the old paste (particles will remain that impair heat transfer).
- Check the condition of thermal pads and dust in the cooler.
- Apply new paste evenly (risk of air bubbles).
The exception is laptops with one-way access to chips (for example, some ASUS Chromebook), but even there the quality of such a replacement will be low.