One of the reasons why electronic chips malfunction is overheating. It leads not only to errors in the operation of equipment, but also to degradation of elements, significantly reducing their service life.

The use of cooling radiators helps to avoid overheating of the video card or processor. But for normal heat transfer from the chip to the heatsink, the empty air space between them must be filled with a thermal interface - a layer of substance characterized by high thermal conductivity. Air has low thermal conductivity - 0.022 W/m*K, and, for example, thermal paste KPT-8 - 0.7 W/m*K.

Thermal paste

Heat-conducting paste is a thick, similar consistency to toothpaste, a multicomponent substance. It contains various mineral, synthetic, and metal components. It is the most common material for correct cooling of any electronics.

The paste performs several functions:

1. Fills microgaps between the chip and the heatsink.
2. Improves heat transfer parameters.

Thermal pad

The thermal pad is a plate of heat-conducting material that is placed between the heating element and the cooling system.

Gaskets differ according to:

• Thermal conductivity.
• Material (ceramics, silicone, rubber, metal such as copper or aluminum)
• Thickness (from 0.5 to 5 mm)
• Number of layers or adhesive surfaces.

You should not buy, much less use, gaskets that were produced a year or more ago.

What common

• Price. The price of thermal paste and thermal pads of the same class is approximately the same. The main thing is not to save money, but to buy a product that is most suitable for your laptop. Otherwise, saving a hundred rubles can result in expensive repairs of both individual computer components and the entire device.
• Replacing one interface with another. Not recommended. Typically, this action at least leads to an increase in the temperature of the chip. For example, the entire processor cooling design can be designed for a certain distance between the chip and the cooler. If the system was initially in balance with the help of a thermal pad, then replacing it with thermal paste will lead not only to a worse fit between the radiator and processor, but also to loosening of the cooling system mounts.
• Possibility of simultaneous use. In most cases, this action does not make sense, as it leads to deterioration of thermal conductivity. The only option for simultaneous use of a thermal pad and thermal conductive paste is when the pad is a metal plate. Then the paste is needed to fill the gaps between the plate, chip, and radiator.

Differences

1. Life time. Depends on the quality of the thermal interface. But on average, pads last slightly longer than pastes. If for any reason you had to remove the cooling system from the chip or video card, then any thermal interface must be replaced.
2. Thermal conductivity. In most cases, pastes have greater thermal conductivity than gaskets. The best representatives of thermal pastes have thermal conductivity from 10-19 W/m*K and up to 80 W/m*K in the case of pastes based on liquid metal. Thermal pads have lower coefficients - 6-8 W/m*K. Therefore, it is better to use thermal paste with top-end processors or video cards.
3. Ease of use. Replacing a thermal pad is much easier than replacing thermal paste. It is enough to remove the old thermal interface, take the necessary measurements, cut it off, and then glue a new one. The gasket can be cut into a convenient shape or glued in two layers. Unlike paste, it does not get dirty. To replace the paste, you need not only a pre-cleaned surface, but also often additional tools- plastic card or brush. It is also more difficult for an inexperienced user to determine the right amount of paste the first time.

What and when to use

Gaskets and pastes can be both bad and good quality, and therefore it is incorrect to compare a good gasket with a bad paste, and vice versa.

If we compare interfaces of the same quality, then a thermal pad is most often suitable for a laptop. But it must be with high thermal conductivity, since due to the design features, the processor and video card in a laptop heat up more than in a PC. Thanks to its shock-absorbing properties, a good gasket softens the harsh operating conditions of the device: constant transfers from place to place, shaking and vibration, changing position from horizontal to vertical.

An important factor when choosing a thermal interface is the distance between the heat-generating component and the heat removal device. For example, if the gap between the processor and the heatsink does not exceed 0.3 mm, then pasta is the best option. But already at 0.5 mm and more its effectiveness decreases. Firstly, a too thick layer of paste conducts heat worse, and secondly, it can spread over the surface of the board. All this can lead to breakdown - fire. In this case, it is optimal to use a thermal pad.

The use of a thermal pad is also justified when only one radiator is used to remove heat from the cooled elements. Typically, the chips on the board have different heights, and the gasket, due to its compressibility, can smooth out this difference. Thus, normal heat dissipation is ensured for all elements. Heat-conducting paste in this situation is not only ineffective, but even harmful.

Do not contradict the manufacturer's intentions. If your laptop originally uses thermal paste, do not replace it with a gasket, and vice versa.

In order for your laptop to last for a long time, you must remember to regularly change all its thermal interfaces. It is also useful to know the operating temperatures of the main vital components of the device, because the correct temperature regime is the key to a long, trouble-free service of the device. And programs such as Everest or Aida 64.

Why are such devices needed? The fact is that the surface of a processor or radiator cannot be completely flat. If you place the heatsink directly on the processor, there will be tiny, almost unnoticeable gaps between them. And since air is a poor conductor of heat, these gaps will have an extremely negative impact on the cooling of the entire system.

What is better to use: thermal paste or thermal pad?

For this reason, an intermediate material with high thermal conductivity is required that can fill these gaps and establish heat transfer. This material can be a thermal pad or thermal paste. But which one should you choose? What is the difference between them, what are the advantages and disadvantages? Which option is better for a laptop? Our article will help you figure this out.

Thermal paste or thermal conductive paste is an adhesive substance that is applied directly to the heatsink or processor itself to ensure a tight seal. Thermal paste is the most commonly used material to ensure proper cooling of electronics. Thermal paste must be of good quality to do its job. To apply this substance correctly, a certain skill is required, as it gets very dirty.

For proper application, typically squeeze a pea-sized amount of paste directly onto the center area of ​​the processor. Then it is evenly distributed over the entire surface, using a flat object: for example, a plastic card. The layer should be thin enough to fill any gaps without creating an additional barrier between the processor and the heatsink.

What is a thermal pad

The main advantage of this element is its ease of installation. Unfortunately, thermal pads are inferior in effectiveness to thermal paste, which can be applied in a thin layer and get the desired result. Some processor fans are sold with thermal pads, because they are easy to install, do not require additional manipulation and do not need to get dirty, and they will provide the necessary performance. But, unfortunately, these elements are disposable.

If you ever need to remove the heatsink from where it was once installed, the thermal pad will need to be replaced. This happens because the surface of the thermal pad is broken and becomes uneven while it is adjacent to the processor. Thus, if you try to install it again, gaps will form between the two surfaces. As already mentioned, this has a negative impact on thermal conductivity and can interfere with the performance of the processor. Therefore, it is worth remembering: if you remove the radiator, the thermal pad should be completely removed and replaced with a new one.

Also, do not use multiple thermal pads together. Two or more gaskets between the processor and the heatsink, instead of cooling, will have the opposite effect and will very quickly lead to damage to the processor. This is especially true for laptop processors that heat up quickly.

Replacing the thermal pad with thermal paste

Replacement is technically possible, but is not always recommended. In most cases, such a replacement will lead to an increase in processor temperature. Why is this happening? The fact is that the thermal pad not only provides thermal conductivity, but also has a certain effect on the springs and bolts that hold the entire processor cooling structure.

If the gasket is removed and paste is applied in its place, the heatsink will not fit as tightly to the processor as before, since an element of a certain thickness has been removed from the established system. In addition, the rotation of the fan can have a certain impact on the processor due to the resulting gap, causing friction. Therefore, you can replace one element with another only at your own peril and risk.

ADVICE. However, in Lately production of special types of thermal paste has begun, which is used instead of thermal pads. It is denser and more viscous, can fill large gaps, and also has improved thermal conductivity. Pay attention to the K5-PRO brand thermal paste, it is made for iMac computers, but is also suitable for other computers.

Thermal paste and thermal pad: applying one to the other

Such an action does not make sense and can only worsen thermal conductivity. Applying paste to the gasket under certain conditions can seriously interfere with heat transfer from the processor. Therefore, it is better not to experiment, and instead choose only one option.

Laptop option

We should start with the fact that both pads and paste are of poor and good quality. Undoubtedly, good quality thermal paste will be better than poor thermal pad, and vice versa.

But if we consider a situation with elements of the same quality, then it is recommended to use a thermal pad for a laptop. The fact is that the heating of the laptop processor is quite strong, in addition, this device is constantly subject to shaking when moved from place to place. A good thermal pad will be more stable under these conditions and is a better choice over thermal paste.

Thermal paste and thermal pads: disadvantages and advantages

Let's start with thermal pads. So what benefits do they have?

• Easy to use.
• They can be cut in different sizes and shapes.
• They do not get dirty and are easy to install.
• They don't dry out.
• Manufactured from various materials according to specifications.

Flaws:

• High production cost.
• Single use.

So, at first glance, thermal pads have many advantages. Different in shape, you can quickly install a new one instead of the old one, easy to install. The variety of materials from which they are made allows you to select the most preferred material in terms of electrical, thermal, chemical or physical use.

However, their price can be quite high. Most often, during the production of components, thermal pads are installed manually, which immediately increases the cost of the final product.

Now let's look at the characteristics of thermal paste. Advantages:

• Reliability.
• Cheapness.
• High-quality elimination of gaps.
• Only a thin layer is required.

Flaws:

• It gets dirty when applied.
• Dries out.
• Sufficient pressure is required.

Let's summarize. Thermal pads are a good option, especially for a laptop, but you need to choose them responsibly. It is better to take good thermal paste instead of cheap low-quality thermal pads. Also, when choosing the latter, you can focus on the type and quality of the material. This gives additional opportunity control over your system.

ADVICE. If price is of significant importance to you, it is better to opt for thermal paste. You only need to apply a thin layer to achieve good thermal conductivity. Moreover, the thinner this layer is, the better the thermal conductivity will be. Thermal pads are almost always much thicker than the required layer of thermal paste.

Thermal paste also does a much better job of leveling surfaces. Since it is a viscous substance, this substance is capable of filling both the smallest gaps and fairly large irregularities. It copes with this task much better than thermal pads, which do not have the ability to “flow” into all the recesses. If the surface of your components or radiator has significant unevenness, it is better to give preference to thermal paste.

Once you have made your choice, it is advisable to install a program for monitoring the temperature of the components and monitor the indicators for some time to make sure that your choice was correct.

Overheating of internal parts is dangerous for any equipment. This is especially true for PCs and laptops, in which processors and video cards are often coated with special thermal paste. Thermal pads are often installed. They fill the space between the cooler radiator and the chip, which also helps improve heat transfer. At the same time, many users have a question: “What is better – thermal paste or thermal pad?” Let's try to figure this out.

First, let's talk about thermal paste. It is a multicomponent thick-like (sticky and plastic) substance with high thermal conductivity. It contains various synthetic or mineral oils, metal powders, oxides, etc. Thermal paste is the most common material used for proper cooling of electronics.

As for the functions of thermal paste, they are as follows:

• Filling the void between the processor/video card and the cooler radiator (due to which an important part may overheat);
• Ensuring heat transfer from the processor to the cooling system.

The disadvantage of thermal paste is that during use it dries out and loses its properties. Therefore, for preventive purposes, it is advisable to replace it at least once every 6-12 months. Unfortunately, many users ignore this. As a result, their PC or laptop fails due to overheating.

However, despite all this, manufacturers computer equipment continue to actively use thermal paste to protect processors and video cards from overheating. Although now there are many other thermal interfaces. For example, the most popular alternative to thermal paste is thermal pads.

What is a thermal pad?

On the Internet you can find a variety of names for this thermal interface - thermal gum, “chewing gum”, hot glue, thermal rubber, etc. Thermal pad is also used to cool important PC parts that are characterized by high operating temperatures. What is it? Essentially, it is a thin elastic sheet consisting of a base and a filler (graphite or ceramic).

At the same time, the modern market offers several types of thermal pads. They differ from each other as follows:

• thermal conductivity;
• thickness (usually it varies from 0.5 mm to 5 mm);
• “design” (we are talking about the fact that the thermal pad can be single-layer or two-layer, and also have both one and two adhesive surfaces);
• material (rubber, silicone, copper, ceramics, aluminum; there are also homemade options - for example, from a bandage impregnated with thermal paste).

So if you decide to install a thermal pad or simply replace the old one with a new one, then be sure to take into account its thickness, thermal conductivity coefficient, and other characteristics.

Also pay attention to the production date. If the thermal pad was produced more than a year ago, then you should not use it.

What to choose?

Let's try to answer the question, which is better for a laptop or PC? Thermal paste or thermal pad? Let's break it down point by point:

1. Let's start with the fact that the thermal pad is inferior in efficiency to paste if the distance between the part and the cooling system is minimal. For example, literally 0.2-0.3 mm. If the distance is close to 1 mm, then thermal paste cannot be used. Otherwise, overheating will occur.
2. Thermal pad performs well if it is used in devices where the chip and cooling radiator seats are far from each other (more than 0.5 mm). After all, if you take thermal paste here, it will be of no use. Due to the thick layer, a very low heat dissipation rate will appear. The processor or video card will start to get very hot.
3. Replacing a thermal pad is often simpler than applying new thermal paste, which requires cleaning off the old paste, a thin, uniform layer, and even special tools. However, replacing the thermal pad on a processor or video card is not always easy. You need to choose the right size, take into account the thickness, the degree of compression (should not be more than 70%, otherwise due to severe deformation it will lose most of its thermal conductivity properties) and much more. etc.
4. Price. This criterion will not allow us to determine which is better. Since the cost of thermal paste and thermal pads is approximately the same. The cheapest options for such thermal interfaces will cost you 100-150 rubles. However, we do not recommend saving. It is advisable to choose products whose cost exceeds 300 rubles.
5. Life time. A lot depends on the quality of the thermal paste or thermal pad. Although on average the latter lasts a little longer. True, if for some reason you need to remove the cooler radiator from a video card or chip, then you will have to change both the thermal paste and the thermal pad.
6. On average, thermal conductivity of thermal pads is inferior to thermal pastes, the best examples of which have indicators at the level of 8-10 W/mK. Thermal pads cannot have such values. They have a lower thermal conductivity coefficient. On the other hand, there are also thermal pastes with a thermal conductivity of 1-2 W/mK. In most cases, they will already be inferior to thermal pads.

It turns out that each option has its pros and cons. Therefore, it is impossible to say unequivocally what is better and what is worse. Experts recommend the following:

• For laptops and netbooks, use thermal pads. They argue that the processor and video chip in such devices heat up more. In addition, a laptop or netbook generally does not stand in one place. People take it with them to work, study or on a visit, which means it is often subject to shaking. In such conditions, a good and high-quality thermal pad will be more practical and reliable. Therefore, it is better to choose it instead of thermal paste.
• PC owners should give preference to thermal pastes. Indeed, on most models the gap between the processor and the cooler radiator is minimal. It is difficult to fit even a thin aluminum or copper plate here.

Remember! If you change the thermal interface yourself (for the same laptop), then the thickness of the new thermal pad should be a little larger (about half a millimeter) than the previous one. The fact is that during use it shrinks a little. In addition, if you are not sure what thickness of thermal pad is suitable for your PC or laptop model, then take 1 mm. This is the most common and standard gap between the heatsink and the chip in many devices from a variety of manufacturers.

Can thermal paste be replaced with thermal pad (and vice versa)?

Theoretically, replacing thermal paste with a thermal pad is possible. However, in practice this is not always recommended. This is explained by the fact that in most cases, replacing thermal paste with a thermal pad and vice versa leads to an increase in the temperature of the processor or video card. Why? Let's look at this with a few examples:

1. If you remove the thermal pad and apply paste instead, most likely the cooler heatsink will no longer fit tightly to the processor or graphics adapter. The fact is that most thermal pads are much thicker than the allowable layer of thermal paste. Air will begin to enter this free space, which does not conduct heat well, causing the device to overheat.
2. If, on the contrary, you install a thermal pad instead of thermal paste, the pressure on the springs and bolts that hold the entire structure of the cooling system will increase. This is why it can completely fail or work unstably.

Therefore, it is not recommended to change thermal paste to thermal pad or vice versa. Use the same thermal interface as before. That is, if the manufacturer applied thermal paste between the processor and the cooler, do the same, giving preference to this thermally conductive substance. It's not worth the risk.

Do not forget that it is forbidden to apply thermal paste to the thermal pad or vice versa. Such a “neighborhood” will only have Negative influence and will worsen thermal conductivity. What does this mean? Failure of the video card, breakdown motherboard or processor.

• We have already written above that if you are not sure which gasket to take for your model of processor or video card, then give preference to a product with a thickness of 1 mm. This is the standard gap between the chip and the cooler heatsink on most devices.
• It’s also not a big deal if the thermal pad is thicker. For example, 1 mm instead of 0.5 mm. But only on the condition that bolts are used as fastenings that will press the radiator firmly enough. The result will be the same 0.5 mm at the junction. So if we are talking about replacing a thermal pad, then it is better to take a thicker one than a thinner one.
• Under no circumstances should you skimp when choosing thermal paste or gaskets. Too much depends on this material. In addition, due to the use of low-quality thermal interfaces, you may end up having to repair or replace expensive components.
• Despite the good thermal conductivity of copper gaskets, they must be used carefully. The fact is that copper is not ductile and flexible. Therefore, if the surface of the radiator is uneven, then a gap may appear between it and the processor or video card, into which air can get in. All this will lead to excessive heating of the part.

Equipment sometimes breaks down. Most often, laptops stop working at full capacity if the internal parts of the device overheat. This can lead to dire consequences. It is important to monitor the condition of your computer, especially if it has served faithfully for several years. The thermal pad for a laptop serves precisely the main purpose - it improves heat transfer between the chip and the radiator, which requires constant cooling.

What is this?

Thermal pads are used in laptops, video cards, water cooling systems, power supplies, and servers. They increase the heat transfer of the chipset, computer memory, processor, and other very hot parts. Thermal pad for a laptop consists of rubber or silicone, as well as filler. Most often it is graphite or ceramics. Rubber thermal pads do not last long - only one year, but this also depends on the quality of the rubber. Silicone thermal pads are more stable and will last much longer - five years. Their service life is directly dependent on the quality of the material.

Today, a replacement for thermal pads has appeared on the market - copper plates. In fact, they cannot perform the functions of the former. The plates are inelastic and do not adhere well to the surface. A high-quality product must be tested in special laboratories, have certificates for toxicity, environmental friendliness and meet production specifications. The color of the product does not matter; each manufacturer produces established shades. To extend their service life, thermal pads should be stored in a black bag.

Purpose

The thermal pad cools computer parts operating at high temperatures. The state of the computer depends on its function. It's easy to track laptop overheating. Cooling systems and fans become dirty over time, they become clogged with debris, the laptop starts to work slowly, turns off spontaneously, the turbine makes a lot of noise, Bottom part The computer heats up faster. These symptoms indicate that your laptop needs cleaning. In addition to cleaning the ventilation and replacing thermal paste, it is recommended to replace disposable thermal pads. They are prohibited from being reused by the manufacturer! This could result in your laptop requiring expensive repairs.

If the cooling system is clogged, this leads to an increase in the temperature inside the case, and then to deformation of the microcircuits and video card. All this shortens the life of the laptop. Has your computer started running slower? So it's reduced clock frequency processor and video chip due to overheating. Please note that if the equipment often turns off on its own, the emergency protection system is triggered. In this case, urgent replacement of the thermal pad is required. In addition, they have high thermal conductivity and good mechanical properties (hard, able to compress and withstand deformation).

Features and Benefits

Thermal pad for laptop helps it to last longer and improve performance. The main advantage of this product is its thickness. It reaches five millimeters, sometimes more, which plays an important role in cooling the system. If there is a large gap between the heatsink and the electronic component, the thermal pad fills it completely. The special feature of the gasket is its excellent elasticity. Thanks to this property, the cooling system maintains its mobility, protecting the chips from temperature deformations. Gaskets, like pastes, have great importance for laptop. Even if you are not a professional, open it sometimes back panel and inspect the condition of the internal parts.

How to install

The best thermal pad for a laptop is one that is certified, has a quality guarantee, has a long service life, is securely packaged, and is in the mid-price range. It should be thick and quite elastic. Over time, thermal pads lose their elasticity and thermal conductivity properties. Its timely replacement is a necessary condition that should be fulfilled occasionally. The standard thermal pad has an adhesive tape on one side for fastening. Installation is carried out in the following order:

1. Cut the thermal pad to fit the chip.
2. Remove any film from the sticky side if there is any.
3. Glue the product according to the type of roll, starting from one side. Roll out the gasket over the entire surface. There should be no air bubbles between it and the chip.
4. If there is another protective film on top, remove it while holding the gasket.
5. Install the radiator.

Thickness

When replacing, remember that the thickness of the laptop thermal pad should be 0.5 mm thicker than the previous one. If you don't know which one to choose, stick to the standard thickness. Experts advise making a cast of the crystal from plasticine, which will help determine the correct dimensions. You can use two thin thermal pads instead of one thick one. They need to be installed on top of each other.

What is the price

Thermal pad for a laptop is an inexpensive item. Its price varies depending on the size, material, manufacturer and place of purchase. The cheapest thermal pads cost 50 rubles. There are more expensive copies - from 250 to 1000 rubles. If you want them to last longer, buy high-quality thermal pads. Expensive products will help you save on future repairs.

Selecting a thermal pad

Which is better: thermal paste or thermal pad for a laptop? Further repairs and the condition of the equipment depend on this issue. The fact is that thermal paste will not be able to cope with a large amount of work. If a laptop or computer consumes a lot of energy and operates at full capacity, it needs proper cooling. Don't know which gasket to choose? In this case, experts advise buying a product one millimeter thick. This thermal pad is standard and suitable for almost all laptop models.

On the other hand, if you choose a product that is two millimeters, it will become denser and will not wobble. It is not recommended to take 0.5 mm thermal pads. Remember, for a laptop, thick thermal pads are the best choice!

Thermal paste

How to replace the thermal pad in a laptop? A good alternative to gasket is thermal paste. They have a similar base: liquid silicone and essential oil. Thermal paste filler consists of several types that do not conduct current. It is important that the thermal paste is fresh. It is easy to determine its quality: if the oil begins to separate from the base, this means that it can still be used. Stir the compound thoroughly. If the paste is hard, it has lost all its properties.

Many experts do not recommend using thermal paste. It does not provide proper cooling and can even harm equipment if there are large gaps between the processor, video chip, motherboard. Thermal paste is similar in structure to a thin thermal pad. It makes sense to use the first one if the gap is no more than 0.2 mm. Modern thermal pastes consist of high-quality fillers. These are mainly mineral, synthetic oils, microdispersed powders. Good pastes have high thermal conductivity.

Replacing thermal paste is a complex process that requires caution. Remember that it cannot be smeared on adjacent paths; it is applied carefully. Before replacement, prepare the necessary tools. Thermal paste, screwdrivers, old a plastic card, a stationery knife, a napkin - all this will come in handy during replacement.

1. Remove the battery.
2. Open back cover, clean from dust and litter.
3. Remove old thermal paste from the surface of the processor and heatsink using a regular eraser.
4. Clean the surface with alcohol and dry.
5. Apply a thin layer of thermal paste using a spatula and smooth with a card.
6. Reassemble the computer in reverse order.

It is not advisable to use paste and pad at the same time.

How to do it yourself

If you need it urgently, you can replace the thermal pad for your laptop yourself, but this is a temporary solution. As a material, you can use a regular medical bandage. Fold it in several layers, a good thickness is five. For this option you will need thermal paste. It will serve as the basis for the future gasket. Once the bandage is folded to the desired size, dip it in thermal paste. You don't need to lubricate it too much, otherwise the material will spread. Don't worry if the homemade spacer is a different size and extends beyond the video chip or processor die. It will briefly cope with cooling the computer. The only thing you can count on is surfing the net. Videos and games will load slowly.

The laptop contains components that become very hot during operation. This is normal, and special cooling technologies in the form of thermal pads for laptops are used to remove heat from the case. However, over time they may become unusable and require replacement. This will result in strong heating of the case, and sometimes the laptop will simply turn off. If this happens, then it's time to go to service center or try to replace the thermal pad in the laptop yourself. This is not difficult to do, although you will have to tinker. But first you need to understand how everything works there.

What is a thermal pad for a laptop?

There is such a thing as a “thermal interface”. It is a layer between the processor and the heatsink and is designed to increase thermal conductivity and reduce thermal resistance. Thermal paste is often used for this purpose - a substance with high thermal conductivity. Contrary to popular belief, thermal paste does not cool anything, it simply increases the efficiency of heat transfer from the heating processor to the heatsink.

The second most popular thermal interface is laptop thermal pad. This is a small plate installed between the processor (or other heating element) and the radiator (cooling element). The gasket is elastic and it perfectly fills possible gaps that almost always exist between surfaces. It is also believed that this plate does a better job, since the paste cannot cope with a large volume of work.

Depending on the size of the chips, you can choose the correct gasket. They come in different sizes and thicknesses. Some people advise choosing a gasket 1 mm thick, but ideally you need to measure the old thermal layer and choose a gasket of the same thickness. But you cannot use the old layer, otherwise the chipset will overheat, which will constantly lead to the computer turning off. Over time, the chips will melt and eventually melt completely.

Ceramic gaskets

Thermal pads can be made of ceramics, copper, silicone. Of these three materials, ceramics is the best guide heat, so it is more efficient. The best ones are those made from aluminum nitride - ceramics. Despite the name, it is still ceramic with cool characteristics. A gasket made of this material is resistant to temperature or chemical influences; it actually reduces the operating temperatures of semiconductors and does not lose its properties as a heat conductor during the heating process.

Silicone

Silicone is also resistant to high temperatures and is very often used in laptops to remove heat from the processor and bridges. Can also be used as a thermal pad for a laptop video card. Silicone is used in cases where there is no contact between two surfaces. is more effective compared to thermal paste. In addition, it is elastic and can be compressed or expanded, thereby filling empty space more effectively.

Copper

Copper pads have higher thermal conductivity, but are more difficult to use. To install such a gasket, you need a sealant that will close the gap between the radiator and the heating surface. The use of such an insulation layer is labor-intensive, but this is justified by higher efficiency.

How to replace the thermal pad in a laptop?

If you have opened your laptop and discovered that the gasket needs to be replaced, but there is nowhere to buy it, then you can try to make it yourself. Making a thermal pad for a laptop with your own hands is not difficult. There are several ways. The most popular of them involves the use of a bandage.

To do this, we need to fold it into a bandage in 4-5 layers. You can first soak it in thermal paste, because if you just spread it on the bandage, it will spread. Now apply the bandage to the processor, and if it sticks out a little beyond the boundaries, it’s okay. The main thing is that your gasket fits snugly.

The test results for this layer are not particularly impressive. This thermal pad for a laptop does not allow the processor to heat up above 80 0 C when watching a movie, but if you load the laptop with games, it will turn off unexpectedly. But for a while this option will do.

The aluminum plate (or copper) will become the best option for homemade gasket. Aluminum (like copper) has good thermal conductivity. For production we need a small sheet with a thickness of only 1 mm. But it's difficult to get one. Alternatively, you can order on Aliexpress.

You can cut the gasket by eye and do not check the accuracy to the millimeter. In theory, the larger the plate area, the more heat it can remove. The main thing is that the plate fits very tightly to the surface. Experts who tested the method in practice say that after installing the plate and starting the laptop, the temperature testing program showed 50 0 C. But this was in rest mode, and when the movie was turned on, the temperature rose to 68 0 C. This is a good result.

Chinese gaskets

On the same Aliexpress you can order Chinese thermal pads for laptops. They don't live up to expectations at all, and the laptop heats up instantly after switching on. You should not expect any effective heat removal from such gaskets. When watching a video, the processor temperature rises above 90 0 C, which is close to the critical level.

Thermal paste as an alternative

A layer of thermal paste 0.1 mm thick turned out to be the worst option. After starting to watch the video, the processor heated up to 98 0 C and shut down unexpectedly. Therefore, it is not always appropriate to simply change the thermal paste or use it as a replacement for the thermal pad. Its efficiency is worse, so much so that even the system shuts down in an emergency.

In any case, these homemade pads are not suitable for permanent use, but you can use them for a short period of time. In addition, such spacers will not allow you to load the laptop more or less seriously, so they should not be considered as a permanent option for cooling the processor.