Laptops Acer - some of the most popular on the market due to the price-performance ratio, but even the top models of the series Predator or Nitro Over time they begin to overheat. The reason for this is drying out thermal paste, which loses thermal conductivity after 2–3 years of active use. If your Acer Aspire 5 suddenly it starts making loud noise, and games or rendering are slowing down due to throttling, it’s time to think about replacing the thermal interface.

In this article you will find step by step instructions with nuances for different models Acer, a list of the best thermal pastes of 2026, as well as unique data on temperature standards for Intel and AMD processors in laptops of this brand. We will look at how to avoid typical mistakes (for example, overtightening the fasteners or incorrectly applying paste) that lead to damage to the chip. And if you have never disassembled equipment, don’t worry: there are alternative solutions without opening the case.

Signs that it's time to change the thermal paste

Laptops Acer often suffer from overheating due to compact cases and weak cooling systems. Here 5 Key Symptomsthat the thermal interface has exhausted its resource:

  • 🔥 Constant operation of the cooler at maximum even for simple tasks (like surfing Chrome or working in Word). A normal fan should turn on at full power only under load.
  • 📉 Sudden drops in performance (throttling) during games or rendering. You can check this in the program HWMonitor - if the processor frequency drops below the base frequency, this is a sure sign.
  • 🌡️ CPU temperature above 90°C under load (for Acer Nitro 5 with Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 this is a critical threshold).
  • 💻 Spontaneous shutdowns laptop during prolonged use - this is how the overheating protection works.
  • 🔋 Rapid battery drain due to the fact that the cooling system is working at its limit, consuming additional energy.

If you observe at least 2-3 symptoms from the list, the likelihood that the thermal paste has dried out is 80–90%. But before replacing, it is worth ruling out other causes of overheating:

  • 🕳️ Radiator dustiness (especially relevant for Acer Aspire 3 And Acer Swift 3 with thin bodies).
  • 🔄 Fan fault (check if it spins when you turn on the laptop).
  • 🖥️ BIOS problems (sometimes resetting the settings helps return the temperature to normal).
⚠️ Attention: If your Acer under warranty, replace thermal paste yourself cancels it. In this case, it is better to contact a service center - many models (for example, Acer Predator Helios 300) have a company warranty on the cooling system.
📊 How often do you clean your laptop cooling system?
  • Once a year
  • Once every 2–3 years
  • Only when it starts to warm up
  • Never cleaned

Which thermal paste to choose for an Acer laptop

The choice of thermal interface depends on the laptop model and its hardware. For budget Acer Aspire 1 or Acer Extensa with processors Intel Celeron/Pentium An inexpensive paste of medium viscosity is suitable. But for gaming Acer Nitro or Predator with Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 High-performance compositions with metal particles are needed.

Laptop type Recommended thermal paste Service life Price (2026)
Office (Aspire 3/5, Swift 1/3) Arctic MX-4, Noctua NT-H1 3–4 years 500–800 ₽
Gaming (Nitro 5/7, Predator Helios) Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut, Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra (liquid metal) 2–3 years (Kryonaut), 5+ years (liquid metal) 1 200–2 500 ₽
Ultrabooks (Swift 5/7, Spin 3/5) Arctic MX-6, Thermalright TFX 4–5 years 700–1 000 ₽
Old models (before 2018) Deepcool Z5, Alphacool Eisfuchs 2–3 years 300–600 ₽

For most users Acer the optimal choice would be Arctic MX-6 - it does not conduct electricity (safe in case of accidental contact with contacts), has a low viscosity (easy to apply) and keeps the temperature 5-10°C lower than stock paste from Acer. If you are overclocking your processor or have a top model Predator Triton, worth considering liquid metal (For example, Coollaboratory Liquid Pro), but applying it requires experience - if there is an error, you can short-circuit the motherboard.

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Before purchasing, check whether the thermal paste is compatible with your processor. For example, for AMD Ryzen 7 5800H in Acer Nitro 5 it is better to choose paste with high thermal conductivity (from 10 W/m K), since these chips heat up more strongly Intel analogues.

Preparing for replacement: tools and disassembling the laptop

Before you begin, prepare everything you need. Without the right tools, you risk damaging plastic latches or stripping screws (especially important for Acer Aspire E15, where fasteners often stick).

Screwdriver set (phillips PH0/PH1, hex for some models Predator)

Plastic picks or guitar picks for opening latches

Thermal paste (selected from the table above)

Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) and lint-free wipes

Thermal pads (if you plan to replace them too)

Antistatic wrist strap (optional, but recommended for safety)

Hairdryer or heat gun (to soften old paste)

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Now let's move on to disassembly. On laptops Acer There are two main designs:

  1. Removable bottom cover (most models Aspire, Swift, Extensa). Here it is enough to unscrew the screws and pry the cover with a pick.
  2. One-piece body (many Nitro And Predator). Here you will have to remove the keyboard and top panel, which is more difficult.

General disassembly algorithm:

  1. Turn off the laptop, disconnect the battery (if it is removable) and the power supply.
  2. Turn the device over and remove all screws on the bottom cover. Inspect them carefully - some may be hidden under legs or stickers.
  3. Gently pry the lid open with a plastic pick, starting from the corner. Do not use force - if the cover does not budge, check that all screws are unscrewed.
  4. After removing the cover, disconnect the cables (if they interfere with access to the cooler) and unscrew the cooling system fasteners.
⚠️ Attention: In laptops Acer Predator Helios 300 (2020–2023) frequently used spring screws on the radiator. They cannot be completely unscrewed - only loosened, otherwise the threads can be damaged. These models may also require replacement. thermal pads on VRM chips (they become tanned and lose elasticity over time).
How to remove the keyboard Acer Nitro 5 (2021–2023)

1. Unscrew the screws on the bottom cover (they may be hidden under the rubber feet).

2. Carefully pry the keyboard from the top edge (from the screen side) with a plastic card. It is held on by latches.

3. Disconnect the keyboard cable (the connector is usually secured with a latch - lift it up before removing it).

4. Under the keyboard you will see 2-3 more screws securing the top panel - they also need to be unscrewed to get to the cooler.

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

Now the most important step is cleaning the old paste and applying the new one. Here, many make critical mistakes that ruin all the work. Follow this algorithm:

  1. Surface cleaning:
    • Dampen a lint-free cloth with isopropyl alcohol and carefully remove old thermal paste from the processor and heatsink.
    • For dried residue, use a wooden stick or plastic card (not metal objects!).
    • Wipe surfaces dry and let dry for 2-3 minutes.
  2. Checking thermal pads:
    • If the gaskets on the memory or VRM chips become hard or cracked, they need to be replaced. For Acer Thick gaskets are suitable 1–1.5 mm with thermal conductivity 6–8 W/mK.
  3. Applying thermal paste:
    • For processors Intel (For example, Core i5-1135G7 in Acer Swift 3) enough peas with a diameter of 4–5 mm at the center of the crystal.
    • For AMD Ryzen (For example, Ryzen 7 5800H in Acer Nitro 5) apply cross - this is due to the location of the nuclei.
    • Do not smear the paste with your finger or card - when installing the radiator, it will distribute itself evenly.
  4. Assembly and testing:
    • Reinstall the radiator and tighten the screws crosswiseto avoid skew.
    • Do not overtighten the fasteners! The optimal force is when the screw begins to “resist” but does not “creak”.
    • After assembly, turn on the laptop and check the temperatures in HWMonitor or Core Temp.

Normal temperatures after replacing thermal paste:

  • During idle time: 35–50°C (depending on the model).
  • Under load (games, rendering): 70–85°C for Intel, 75–90°C for AMD (but not higher 95°C!).

1. Applying the paste correctly (perhaps too little or too much).

2. The tightness of the radiator (sometimes it helps to add a 0.5 mm thick thermal pad under the mounts).

3. Fan operation (may require cleaning or lubrication).-->

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that lead to poor cooling or even damage to the laptop. Here are the most common:

  • 🔧 Retightening radiator screws — leads to processor deformation and microcracks. B Acer Predator this is especially dangerous due to the thin substrates of the chips.
  • 🧴 Too much thermal paste - excess can leak onto the contacts of the motherboard and cause a short circuit (relevant for liquid metal).
  • 🧊 Using low concentration alcohol (less than 90%) - leaves a film that impairs thermal conductivity.
  • 🔄 Incorrect screw tightening sequence — leads to misalignment of the radiator and uneven pressure on the processor.
  • 🚫 Forgetting to disconnect the battery - risk of short circuit when cleaning or applying paste.

Pay special attention to models Acer with two radiators (For example, Acer Predator Helios 500). What's important here is:

  • Apply thermal paste separately on CPU and GPU (do not mix!).
  • Check thermal pads for video card memory chips - they often dry out and require replacement.
  • After assembly, test temperatures both cooling systems (sometimes one of the fans may not spin due to poor cable contact).
⚠️ Attention: In laptops Acer with processors AMD Ryzen 4000/5000 (For example, Acer Nitro 5 AN515-44) a common problem with temperature sensors. After replacing the paste, the temperature in the programs may be displayed incorrectly (for example, 120°C in idle time). This is a sensor error, not real overheating. To make sure of this, check the tactile temperature of the case - if it is not hot, everything is fine.

Alternative ways to improve cooling without replacing thermal paste

If you are not ready to disassemble your laptop or are afraid of damaging it, there are several ways to reduce the temperature without opening it:

  • 💨 Cooling pad with active airflow (for example, Cooler Master NotePal X3). Effective for Acer Aspire 7 and other models with bottom ventilation holes.
  • 🔄 CPU power limit through ThrottleStop (for Intel) or Ryzen Controller (for AMD). For example, reducing TDP from 45W to 35W can reduce temperature by 10–15°C.
  • 🧹 Cleaning the fan without disassembling:
    1. Turn off your laptop and turn it over.
    2. Use a can of compressed air (eg Air Duster) to blow the radiator through the ventilation grilles.
    3. For a better effect, you can slightly twist the fan blades with your finger (after turning off the power!).
  • 🔋 Disabling Turbo Boost in BIOS (reduces heat, but reduces performance by 10–15%).
  • 📥 BIOS update - sometimes new versions improve fan control (relevant for Acer Swift X with Ryzen 5000).

    • These methods will help improve the situation temporarily, but if the thermal paste is completely dry, sooner or later the laptop will start to overheat again. Long term replacing the thermal interface remains the most effective solution.

    FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

    Is it possible to use thermal paste from a car (for example, for a processor? Acer Aspire 3)?

    No! Automotive thermal pastes (for example, ABRO or LIQUI MOLY) have a completely different composition and are not intended for electronics. They can:

    • Conduct electricity (risk of short circuit).
    • Dry in 3–6 months.
    • Contain abrasive particles that will scratch the processor cover.

    Use only specialized compounds for PC.

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

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

    • Stock paste from Acer — 1.5–2 years.
    • Budget pastes (Arctic MX-4, Deepcool Z5) - 2–3 years.
    • Premium pastes (Noctua NT-H2, Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut) - 3–4 years.
    • Liquid metal (Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra) - 5+ years.

    If you use a laptop for gaming or rendering, you should replace it with 30–40% more oftenthan stated above.

    What to do if, after replacing the thermal paste, the laptop Acer Nitro 5 did it start to get hotter?

    Possible causes and solutions:

    • Incorrect application of paste - remove residues and reapply (for AMD Ryzen use the "cross" method to Intel - "pea").
    • Poor fit of the radiator — check if thermal pads or dust are in the way. Sometimes it helps to add a thin spacer under the fasteners.
    • Fan fault — check whether it rotates under load. B Acer Nitro The bearing often fails.
    • BIOS problems - reset settings or update firmware (in some BIOS versions for Acer there are bugs with cooler control).
    Is it possible to replace thermal paste with Acer Swift 3 without disassembling the entire laptop?

    In most cases, no. In ultrabooks Acer Swift The cooling system is integrated into the case, and the processor can only be accessed after complete disassembly. However there is an alternative:

    1. Contact the service center Acer - many models Swift have a simplified procedure for replacing thermal paste under warranty (if overheating is confirmed by diagnostics).
    2. Use USB powered cooling pad - this will reduce the temperature by 5–10°C without opening.
    Which thermal paste is best for Acer Predator Helios 300 with Intel Core i7-10750H?

    Pastes with thermal conductivity are recommended for this model. from 11 W/mK:

    1. Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut — the best balance of price and quality (thermal conductivity 12.5 W/mK).
    2. Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra - liquid metal for extreme cooling (thermal conductivity 38 W/mK, but requires application experience).
    3. Noctua NT-H2 - a good alternative with easy application (thermal conductivity 11.8 W/mK).

    For Predator Helios 300 it is also critical to replace thermal pads on VRM (they often dry out and cause additional heat).