Laptop overheating is one of the most common causes of slow performance, sudden shutdowns, and even component failure. Most often the problem lies in dry or incorrectly applied thermal paste, which is responsible for removing heat from the processor and graphics chip to the radiator. But many users make a critical mistake: they apply the composition chaotically, use too much or too little paste, or completely skip key areas.

In this article we will look at exact places to apply thermal paste in laptops of different brands (ASUS, Lenovo, HP, Acer, Dell etc.), we will show you how to properly clean the old layer, and we will reveal the secret of the optimal dose for CPU and GPU — so that the temperature does not rise above 80°C even under load. You will also learn how you can replace thermal paste in emergency cases and why some “folk” methods (for example, toothpaste) are a direct path to repair.

1. Why is it important to apply thermal paste in exactly the right places?

Thermal paste is not just a “lubricant” for better contact. It fills microscopic irregularities between the surface of the processor crystal (or video card) and the base of the heatsink, eliminating air gaps, which act as a heat insulator. If you apply the paste incorrectly:

  • 🔥 Local overheating: Some CPU cores or GPU blocks will run hotter than others, resulting in thermal throttling (automatic frequency reduction).
  • ⚡ Short circuit: If the paste gets on contacts around the chip (for example, on resistors near VRM modules), this may cause power failure.
  • 💻 Accelerated wear: with uneven heat dissipation, the solder under the crystal cracks over time, which leads to chip degradation.

According to research Gamers Nexus, incorrect application of thermal paste can increase the processor temperature by 10–15°C compared to the optimal layer. And in laptops, where the cooling system is already working at its limit, this often becomes the reason BSOD (blue screen of death) or sudden shutdowns during games.

📊 How often do you change the thermal paste in your laptop?
  • Once a year
  • Once every 2–3 years
  • Only when problems start
  • Never changed
  • I don't know what it is

2. Where exactly SHOULD you apply thermal paste: breakdown by component

Laptop requires thermal paste only on those chips that are in contact with the heatsink. Usually this is:

  1. Central Processing Unit (CPU) - the main source of heat. In 90% of laptops, the radiator covers it completely.
  2. Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) - in gaming and multimedia models (for example, NVIDIA RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 6700M).
  3. Chipset (PCH) - rarely, but in some models (for example, Dell XPS 15) it also heats up and requires cooling.
  4. VRM modules - only in high-performance laptops (for example, ASUS ROG Zephyrus), where they are covered with a separate radiator.

How do you know which chips need to be lubricated? Focus on:

  • 🔍 Thermal pads: If there are gray or black spacers around the chip, it means it is in contact with the heatsink.
  • 📏 Radiator shape: if it has recesses for specific chips, paste is applied there.
  • 🌡️ Temperature: use HWMonitor or AIDA64 — if the chip heats up above 85°C, it needs paste.
An example of the location of chips in the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 laptop

In the model ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (FA506) thermal paste is applied to:

1. CPU (AMD Ryzen 7 4800H) is a large square chip in the center.

2. GPU (NVIDIA RTX 3060) is a rectangular chip to the right of the CPU.

3. VRM modules - 2 small chips to the left of the CPU (require a thin layer of paste or thermal pads).

Component Typical location Paste layer thickness What happens if you miss it?
CPU Center of the motherboard, under the largest heatsink 0.1–0.3 mm (rice grain size) Overheating up to 100°C, thermal throttling, shutdown
GPU Near the CPU, under a separate heatsink or common plate 0.1–0.2 mm (thinner than CPU) Artifacts in games, FPS drop, driver errors
Chipset (PCH) Below the CPU, a small square chip 0.05–0.1 mm (very thin layer) Slow USB/SATA operation, system freezes
VRM modules Around the CPU, small black chips Thermal pad 0.5–1 mm or a thin layer of paste Unstable power supply, sudden reboots
⚠️ Attention: Never apply thermal paste to RAM (even if it is pressed by the radiator) or SSD! These components do not require additional paste cooling - they use thermal pads or nothing.

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to apply thermal paste correctly

Before applying the paste it is necessary completely clear the old layer and prepare the surfaces. Here is a proven algorithm:

Remove old paste with isopropyl alcohol (90%+)

Wipe surfaces with a lint-free cloth

Check the radiator for dust (clean if necessary)

Apply the paste to the CPU/GPU according to the instructions below

Reinstall the radiator and secure the screws crosswise

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Step 1: Cleaning Old Paste

Use isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher) And lint-free cloth or cotton swabs. Not suitable:

  • 🚫 Plain water or wet wipes (stains remain).
  • 🚫 Acetone or solvents (may damage the board).
  • 🚫 Paper towels (leaves fibers).

Wipe the surface until the old paste is completely removed. If traces remain, repeat the procedure.

Step 2: Applying New Paste

Best practices for laptops:

  1. Pea method (for CPU): a drop the size of a grain of rice (≈5 mm) in the center of the chip. With radiator pressure, the paste will be evenly distributed.
  2. Line method (for GPU): a thin strip in the center of the chip (if it is long and narrow, like this NVIDIA RTX 30-series).
  3. Cross method (for large chips): two perpendicular lines intersecting in the center.

📌 Critical: Do not spread the paste with your finger or spatula! This creates air bubbles. The radiator itself will distribute the composition when tightening the screws.

Step 3: Assembly and Testing

After applying the paste:

  1. Carefully reinstall the radiator.
  2. Tighten the screws criss-cross (like the wheels of a car) so that the pressure is distributed evenly.
  3. Connect the laptop and check the temperatures in HWMonitor or Core Temp.

1. Has the paste got on the contacts around the chip?

2. Does the radiator fit snugly (maybe you forgot to tighten the screw).

3. Is there too much paste - the excess may stick out at the edges.-->

4. How Much Thermal Paste to Apply: The Gold Standard for Laptops

The most common mistake is too much pasta. Excess does not improve thermal conductivity, but, on the contrary, creates a “cushion” that impairs heat dissipation. Optimal doses:

  • 🖥️ CPU: 0.1–0.3 mm (drop 4–6 mm in diameter). For Intel Core i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 - closer to 0.3 mm.
  • 🎮 GPU: 0.1–0.2 mm (drop 3–4 mm). Chips NVIDIA usually require less paste than AMD Radeon.
  • ⚙️ Chipset/VRM: 0.05–0.1 mm (2 mm drop). Here it is better to under-smear than to over-smear.

📊 Test from Gamers Nexus: when applying 0.5 mm paste to Intel Core i9-12900K the temperature under load increased by 8°C compared to the 0.2 mm layer. And with a dose of 1 mm - already by 12°C!

Layer thickness CPU implications Implications for GPU
0.05 mm Possible “dry” spots, local overheating Artifacts under high loads
0.1–0.3 mm Optimal heat dissipation, temperatures 70–85°C Stable operation, no artifacts
0.5 mm Temperatures 5–10°C above normal Performance degradation of 5–15%
1 mm+ Risk of overheating above 100°C, thermal throttling Driver crash, blue screens
⚠️ Attention: If you are using liquid metal (For example, Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut), the dose should be 2–3 times less! This composition is electrically conductive, and its excess can short-circuit the contacts on the board.

5. How can I replace thermal paste in emergency cases?

The ideal option is to use specialized thermal paste (Arctic MX-6, Noctua NT-H2, Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut). But if you don’t have it at hand and the laptop overheats, you can temporarily use:

  • ✅ Hot melt adhesive (For example, KPT-8): worse thermal conductivity, but safe for electronics.
  • ✅ Thermal pads (if you have spare): cut a piece to the size of the chip.
  • 🟡 Technical Vaseline: only as a last resort! Thermal conductivity is 10 times worse, but will not damage the board.

❌ What NOT to use (even temporarily):

  • 🚫 Toothpaste dries out and becomes an insulator.
  • 🚫 Oil (vegetable, machine) flows and spoils contacts.
  • 🚫 Moment glue or superglue - cannot be removed without damaging the chip.
  • 🚫 Solidol/litol - aggressive to plastic and rubber seals.

🔧 Advice: If you had to use a replacement, plan to buy normal paste within 1–2 weeks. Long-term use of non-core formulations leads to solder degradation on the chip.

💡

It is better not to apply anything at all than to use dangerous substitutes. Without thermal paste, your laptop will last longer than with toothpaste or oil.

6. Common mistakes when applying thermal paste and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that ruin all their efforts. Here are the top 5 mistakes and how to fix them:

  1. Too thick layer

    🛠 How to fix: Remove excess with alcohol and reapply in a thin layer. Check to see if the paste protrudes beyond the edges of the chip after tightening the heatsink.

  2. Paste got on the contacts

    🛠 How to fix: Immediately turn off the power, clean the contacts with alcohol and dry with a hair dryer (cold air). If the laptop has already turned on, check for a short circuit.

  3. Uneven distribution

    🛠 How to fix: Use the pea or line method, but do not spread the paste by hand. The radiator itself will distribute it when tightening.

  4. Using expired toothpaste

    🛠 How to fix: Thermal paste loses its properties 2-3 years after opening the tube. Buy a new one - cost Arctic MX-6 starts from 500 rubles.

  5. Radiator tightening with distortion

    🛠 How to fix: Loosen all screws, then tighten them crosswise with the same amount of torque (do not overtighten!).

💡 Preventative advice: After replacing the paste, run a stress test (Prime95 for CPU, FurMark for GPU) and monitor temperatures in HWInfo. If after 10–15 minutes of load the temperature has stabilized below 90°C, everything has been done correctly.

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

The service life of thermal paste depends on its type and operating conditions:

  • 🕒 Standard paste (Arctic MX-4, Noctua NT-H1): once every 1.5–2 years.
  • 🕒 High quality (Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut, Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra): once every 3–4 years.
  • 🕒 Liquid metal (Conductonaut): once every 5+ years, but requires caution.

📅 Signs that it's time to change toothpaste:

  • 🔥 Laptop heats up to 90°C+ in simple tasks (e.g. Google Chrome).
  • 🎮 Games or rendering cause thermal throttling (FPS drop).
  • 💻 Fans constantly work at maximum, even in standby mode.
  • 🛑 The laptop suddenly turns off during load.

⚠️ Exception: If you use a laptop in a dusty room or often carry it (for example, take it to work), you should check the paste once a year — dust speeds up its drying.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to apply thermal paste to RAM?

No! The RAM does not require thermal paste - either passive radiators are used to cool it (in gaming laptops) or simply airflow from a cooler. If your memory is getting hot, check to see if the fan is blocking its airflow.

What is the difference between thermal paste for CPU and GPU?

In terms of composition - nothing. But for GPUs they often use paste with lower viscosity (For example, Coollaboratory Liquid Pro), since video card chips are thinner and require a more even distribution. Any high-quality paste will be suitable for the CPU.

Is it possible to mix different thermal pastes?

Not recommended. Different pastes have different bases (silicone, metal, ceramic), and when mixed they may separate or lose their properties. If you need to add paste, use the same composition.

How can I check if I applied thermal paste correctly?

Start your laptop and check:

  1. Idle temperatures (should be 5–10°C lower than before replacement).
  2. Temperatures under load (not higher than 85°C for CPU and 80°C for GPU).
  3. No artifacts in games/programs.
  4. Fan operation (should not constantly operate at maximum).

If something is wrong, disassemble the laptop and reapply the paste.

What to do if thermal paste gets on the motherboard?

Turn off the power and battery immediately! Then:

  1. Remove the paste from the contacts with isopropyl alcohol.
  2. Dry the board with a hairdryer (cold air) for 10–15 minutes.
  3. Check for short circuit with a multimeter (if you have the skills).

If the laptop does not turn on after this, contact service.