Laptop overheating is one of the most common problems that users encounter after 2-3 years of active use. Even top models ASUS ROG, MSI Titan or Lenovo Legion they begin to “suffocate” under load if you do not monitor the condition of the cooling system. The reason for this is dried thermal paste, which loses its thermal conductivity properties and turns into a hard crust between the processor and the heatsink.

Replacing thermal paste is a procedure that many are afraid to do on their own for fear of damaging fragile components. However, with the right approach and a minimum set of tools, even a beginner can cope with the task. In this article we will look at when exactly is replacement required?, what thermal paste to choose for different types of processors, and give step by step instructions taking into account the nuances of modern laptops (including models with soldered chips). You will also learn how to avoid common mistakes that lead to even greater overheating or equipment failure.

Signs that it's time to change the thermal paste

The laptop does not always signal problems with thermal paste with obvious failures. Often symptoms increase gradually, and users attribute them to the “age” of the device. Here are the key signs that should not be ignored:

  • 🔥 Sudden rise in temperature under load: if earlier in games or rendering the CPU/GPU warmed up to 75–85°C, and now it remains stably at 90–100°C - this is a direct signal. Especially critical for processors Intel Core i7/i9 12–14 generations And AMD Ryzen 7/9 6000/7000 seriesthat are sensitive to overheating.
  • 🎛️ Frequent throttling (performance drops): the laptop begins to “slow down” in resource-intensive tasks, although it could handle it before. Check the indicators in HWMonitor or ThrottleStop — if the CPU frequency drops below the base frequency under load, thermal regulation is to blame.
  • 🔊 Constant operation of the cooler at maximum, even in simple tasks (for example, when watching a video in a browser). Modern cooling systems (for example, in MacBook Pro M1/M2 or Acer Predator Helios) are designed to be quiet at low temperatures - if they make noise for no reason, it's not normal.
  • ⚡ Spontaneous shutdowns at high load - a protective mechanism against overheating. More often found on laptops with weak cooling systems (for example, Dell Inspiron or HP Pavilion budget lines).

Another indirect sign - dry and cracked thermal paste, if you have already opened your laptop before. Modern formulations (for example, Noctua NT-H2 or Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut) are designed for 3–5 years of service, but in conditions of high temperatures (over 90°C) they degrade faster. If your laptop is often used for mining, rendering or gaming, check the paste every 1-2 years.

⚠️ Attention: Don't confuse overheating due to thermal paste with cooler problems or a clogged radiator. Before replacing the paste Be sure to blow out the cooling system with compressed air and check if the fan is spinning. In 30% of cases, high temperatures are caused by dust, not paste.

Which thermal paste to choose: 2026 rating

The thermal interface market has changed a lot in recent years: pastes with diamond dust, liquid metal compounds, and even options with graphene additives have appeared. However, not all of them are suitable for laptops. Main selection criteria:

  • 📊 Thermal conductivity: for laptops, 8–12 W/mK is optimal. Higher values ​​(15+ W/mK) are relevant for extreme overclocking, but require frequent replacement.
  • ⏳ Service life: liquid metal pastes (for example, Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra) last up to 10 years, but are difficult to apply. Classic silicone (for example, Arctic MX-6) - 3–5 years.
  • 🔧 Consistency: for beginners, thick pastes are better (they don’t spread), for experienced ones - liquid ones (they fill microcracks better).
  • 💰 Price: budget options (up to 500 ₽) are suitable for office laptops, premium (1500–3000 ₽) - for gaming models.
Thermal paste model Thermal conductivity (W/mK) Service life Features Price (2026)
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut 12.5 2–3 years Best choice for gaming laptops, non-conductive ~1200 ₽
Noctua NT-H2 8.5 5+ years Universal, does not require break-in, suitable for beginners ~800 ₽
Arctic MX-6 11.0 8 years Metal-free, safe for aluminum radiators ~600 ₽
Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra 38.4 10+ years Liquid metal, requires protection of components from short circuits ~2500 ₽
DeepCool Z9 11.2 3 years Budget analogue of Kryonaut, suitable for AMD Ryzen ~400 ₽

For most laptops (including MacBook Air/Pro, Lenovo ThinkPad, HP Omen) optimal choice - Noctua NT-H2 or Arctic MX-6. They do not require frequent replacement and are safe for aluminum radiators. Liquid metal pastes (for example, Coollaboratory) are only recommended for advanced users and laptops with copper heatsinks (e.g. ASUS ROG Zephyrus or MSI Raider).

⚠️ Attention: Never use liquid metal pastes on laptops with aluminum heatsinks (such as MacBook or Dell XPS)! They are corrosive and can lead to irreversible damage to the cooling system within 1–2 years.
📊 What thermal paste do you use?
  • Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut
  • Noctua NT-H2
  • Arctic MX-6
  • Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra
  • Another (I’ll write in the comments)

Preparing for replacement: tools and safety precautions

Replacing thermal paste is not only applying a new composition, but also complete disassembly of the cooling system. Without proper preparation, you risk damaging cables, breaking screws, or forgetting to plug the cooler back in. Here's what you'll need:

  • 🔧 Screwdriver set: Phillips (PH0, PH1), Hex (for some Lenovo And HP), torx (T5, T6 for MacBook And Dell).
  • 🧴 Thermal paste (selected from the table above) + alcohol solution (isopropyl alcohol 90%+ for cleaning).
  • 🧻 Lint-free wipes or coffee filters (to remove old paste).
  • 🔍 Plastic pick (for neatly disconnecting the cables) and tweezers.
  • 📸 Smartphone (to photograph the disassembly process - this will save you from errors during assembly!).

Also prepare your workplace:

  • 🪑 Work for flat, clean surface (preferably on an antistatic mat).
  • ⚡ Unplug your laptop And remove the battery (if it is removable). For laptops with a non-removable battery (for example, MacBook Pro) disconnect the battery cable from the motherboard.
  • 🧲 Use magnetic substrate or a box for screws - the loss of even one screw can lead to uneven pressure on the radiator.

Important: If your laptop is under warranty, replace the thermal paste yourself cancels it. In this case, it is better to contact a service center. Also be careful with models where CPU/GPU soldered to the motherboard (For example, Apple M1/M2, some Intel 12–13 generations) - their overheating often requires re-soldering, and not just replacing the paste.

Unplugged the laptop from the outlet and removed the battery (if possible)|

Prepared all the tools and thermal paste|

I photographed the initial state of the cooling system|

I checked the disassembly of my particular laptop model on YouTube |

Wearing an antistatic wrist strap (or touching a grounded object) -->

Step-by-step instructions for replacing thermal paste

The process of replacing thermal paste can be divided into 4 stages: disassembly, cleaning, applying new paste And assembly. We'll look at a universal design, but keep in mind: laptop designs are very different. For example, in MacBook Pro You must first remove the touchpad, and then ASUS TUF — Unscrew the bottom cover and disconnect the battery.

Step 1. Disassemble the laptop

  1. Turn the laptop over and remove all the screws on the bottom cover. Please note: Some screws may be hidden under feet or stickers.
  2. Gently pry the lid open with a plastic pick. Start at the corner - there are usually latches there. Do not use force to avoid breaking the clips!
  3. Disconnect the battery cables (if it is non-removable), then the touchpad, keyboard and speaker cables. Take photos of every step - this will help with reassembly.
  4. Remove the cooling system: unscrew the screws securing the radiator (usually they are marked with arrows or numbers indicating the order of tightening). Be careful - some heatsinks are glued to the chips with dried paste.

Step 2: Cleaning Old Thermal Paste

  1. Dampen a lint-free cloth with isopropyl alcohol and carefully remove old paste from the surface of the CPU, GPU, and heatsink. Do not use dry wipes - they may scratch the backing!
  2. For hard-to-reach places (for example, between the radiator fins), use cotton swabs soaked in alcohol.
  3. Check the condition of the thermal pads (if any). If they harden or crumble, replace them with new ones (for example, Fujipoly or Arctic Thermal Pad).

Step 3: Apply new thermal paste

  1. Take thermal paste and apply it to the center of the processor. Optimal drop size:
    • For CPU: pea 4–5 mm in diameter (for Intel Core i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7).
    • For GPU: strip 5–7 mm long (video chips are usually wider).
  • Do not smear the paste with your finger or card! When installing the radiator, it will be evenly distributed under pressure. Excess paste may leak onto components and cause a short circuit.
  • For liquid metal pastes (Coollaboratory) pre-glue the contacts around the CPU/GPU Kapton tape - this will protect against metal getting on the board.

    • Step 4: Build and Test

    1. Reinstall the radiator and tighten the screws criss-crossto ensure even pressure. Do not overtighten - this may deform the board!
    2. Connect all cables and reassemble the laptop in reverse order. Check to see if there are any “extra” screws left.
    3. Turn on the laptop and check the temperatures in HWMonitor or Core Temp. Under load (for example, in a stress test AIDA64) the temperature should not exceed:
      • Intel Core i7/i9: 85–90°C (max. 95°C).
      • AMD Ryzen 7/9: 80–88°C (max. 90°C).
      • Apple M1/M2: 70–80°C (max. 85°C).

    1) Correct installation of the radiator (it may not fit tightly).

    2) Cooler operation (the cable may not be connected).

    3) The condition of thermal pads on VRM modules (they can also cause overheating).-->

    Common mistakes and how to avoid them

    Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when replacing thermal paste, which lead to poor cooling or damage to the laptop. Here are the most common of them:

    • 🔧 Uneven tightening of radiator screws → leads to misalignment and poor heat dissipation. Solution: tighten the screws crosswise in 2-3 sets, gradually increasing the force.
    • 🧴 Too much or too little thermal paste:
      • Excess → leakage onto the board, risk of short circuit.
      • Disadvantage → air bubbles, deterioration of heat transfer.
      Solution: use the pea method (see photo in the instructions for your paste).
    • 🔌 Forgot to connect the cooler → the laptop overheats immediately after assembly. Solution: Always check the fan rotation the first time you turn it on.
    • 🧹 Poor cleaning of old paste → new layers lie unevenly. Solution: Use only isopropyl alcohol and lint-free wipes.
    • ⚡ Operation without disconnecting the battery → risk of short circuit when touching the board. Solution: Always disconnect the battery or power cable.

    Another common problem is damage to thermal pads when removing the radiator. They often stick to VRM or memory chips and break. If this happens, replace them with new ones (for example, Arctic Thermal Pad 1 mm for most laptops). Also remember that some models (for example, MSI GS66 or Gigabyte Aorus) have additional heatsinks for RAM — they also need to be cleaned and fresh paste applied.

    What to do if after replacing the thermal paste the laptop starts to heat up more?

    If temperatures have risen, the following reasons are possible:

    1) **Poor contact between the heatsink and the processor** - check if there is any old paste or debris left between the surfaces.

    2) **Incorrect assembly** - for example, they forgot to connect the cooler or the radiator was skewed.

    3) **Poor quality thermal paste** - some cheap compounds (for example, KPT-8) dry out faster than factory ones over time.

    4) **Problems with thermal pads** - if they are worn out, the heat from the VRMs may be less well transferred to the heatsink, which indirectly increases the overall temperature.

    **Solution:** Disassemble the laptop again, check all contacts and reapply the paste. If the problem persists, you may need to replace thermal pads or even solder chips (in case BGA processors).

    Features of replacing thermal paste on different laptops

    The design of laptops varies greatly depending on the brand and model. Let's look at the key nuances for popular lines:

    Brand/Model Disassembly Features Typical problems Recommendations
    Apple MacBook Pro/Air (M1/M2) Slim body, soldered battery, special screws (Pentalobe P5). High risk of damage to the battery cable; thermal paste often dries out in 1–2 years. Use Noctua NT-H2 (does not conduct current). Be sure to disconnect the battery cable before starting work!
    ASUS ROG Zephyrus/Strix Complex cooling system with multiple radiators and heat pipes. Thermal pads often stick to VRM modules. Replace gaskets together with the paste. For GPUs, use a strip of paste, not a pea.
    Lenovo ThinkPad (T/X/P series) Easy disassembly, but screws may be hidden under the keyboard. Often there are models with CPU soldering (for example, ThinkPad P1). Before replacing the paste, check whether the processor is soldered (use HWiNFO for diagnostics).
    MSI GS/GE series Two separate heatsinks for CPU and GPU, many thermal pads. It is easy to tighten the heatsink screws - there is a risk of deformation of the board. Tighten the screws with a force of no more than 0.5 Nm. Use a torque screwdriver.
    HP Omen/Pavilion Often there are plastic clips instead of screws on the radiator. The clips break if removed incorrectly. Use a plastic card to pry up the radiator, not a screwdriver. Stock up on new clips (the article number is usually indicated on them).

    For laptops with soldered processors (For example, Apple M1/M2, some Intel 12–13 generations) replacing thermal paste may not give the expected effect if the problem is degraded chip substrate. In this case, re-soldering is required at a service center. Also be careful with laptops where CPU and GPU combined into one chip (For example, AMD Ryzen 4000/5000 series) - here you need to apply the paste to both zones.

    💡

    Before disassembling the laptop always Look for video instructions specifically for your model on YouTube. Even within the same line (for example, Lenovo Legion 5 2021 vs 2022) design may vary greatly!

    What to do after replacing thermal paste: testing and care

    Replacing thermal paste is only half the battle. To ensure success and prolong the effect, follow these steps:

    1. Checking temperatures:
      • Run a stress test (Prime95 for CPU, FurMark for GPU) and monitor temperatures in HWMonitor.
      • Normal values under load:
        • Intel: up to 85°C (max. 95°C).
        • AMD: up to 80°C (max. 90°C).
        • Apple M1/M2: up to 75°C (max. 85°C).
  • Running in thermal paste: Some pastes (eg. Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut) require 2-3 heating/cooling cycles to achieve maximum efficiency. Run the laptop at full power for 10-15 minutes, then turn it off and let it cool. Repeat 2-3 times.
  • Cleaning the cooling system: Once every 6 months, blow out the radiator with compressed air (without disassembling). This will prevent dust from accumulating, which will negate the effect of the new paste.
  • Condition monitoring: Install ThrottleStop (for Windows) or Macs Fan Control (for macOS) to monitor temperatures and cooler speeds in real time.

    • If temperatures remain high after replacing the thermal paste, check:

    • 🔍 Cooler condition - it may be clogged or not rotating at full speed.
    • 📉 Throttling - if the CPU reduces the frequency under load, the problem may be in the power supply (faulty battery or power supply).
    • 🔥 Thermal pads - If they are worn out, the heat from the VRMs can heat the radiator, which indirectly increases the overall temperature.

    Advice for gamers: If you use a laptop for gaming or rendering, consider undervolting (reduce voltage on CPU/GPU). This will reduce heat dissipation by 10-15% without loss of performance. For Intel will do ThrottleStop, for AMD — Ryzen Controller.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about replacing thermal paste

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

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

    • Silicone pastes (For example, Arctic MX-6, Noctua NT-H2): once every 3–5 years.
    • Metal-containing pastes (For example, Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut): once every 2–3 years (dry faster).
    • Liquid metal pastes (For example, Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra): once every 5–10 years, but require careful application.
    • Budget pastes (For example, KPT-8): once every 1–2 years (they quickly lose their properties).

    If the laptop is used for gaming, mining or rendering, check the paste every 1-2 years, regardless of its type.

    ❓ Is it possible to use thermal paste from a computer for a laptop?

    Yes, but with reservations:

    • 🔹 Pastes for PC (for example, Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut or Noctua NT-H1) are also suitable for laptops, but their thermal conductivity (10–12 W/mK) may be excessive. For most laptops, 8–10 W/mK is sufficient.
    • 🔹 Avoid pastes with a high metal content (for example, Coollaboratory) for laptops with aluminum radiators - they cause corrosion.
    • 🔹 Important in laptops durability pastes, since disassembly is more difficult than in a PC. Give preference to compounds with a long service life (for example, Arctic MX-6).
    ❓ What to do if after replacing the thermal paste the laptop began to heat up more?

    Possible causes and solutions:

    1. Incorrect application of paste:
      • Too much → excess can act as an insulator.
      • Too little → air bubbles impair heat transfer