Cooling & Fan Repair Terms

When a CPU or GPU reaches a critical temperature, it automatically reduces its speed to prevent damage. The result: your laptop becomes noticeably slower under load. If your laptop feels fast after a cold start but slows down after 10–15 minutes, thermal throttling is almost certainly the cause.

A heat-conducting compound applied between the CPU/GPU chip and the heatsink. It fills microscopic air gaps to ensure efficient heat transfer. Thermal paste dries out over 3–5 years, causing temperatures to spike. Replacing it (repasting) is one of the most effective and affordable ways to fix overheating.

A German thermal compound brand regarded as the benchmark for high-performance paste. Key products: Kryonaut (12.5 W/mK, most laptops), Kryonaut Extreme (14.2 W/mK, high-TDP gaming chips), and Conductonaut (73 W/mK liquid metal, expert use only). See our guide on where to buy Thermal Grizzly in Singapore.

The active cooling component that draws air across the heatsink and expels hot air. A failing fan spins slower than spec, makes grinding or clicking noises, or stops entirely. Fan failure leads directly to thermal throttling and eventually to board damage if left unaddressed.

A dedicated cooling fan for the graphics card (GPU). Many laptops — especially gaming laptops — have two separate fans: one for the CPU and one for the GPU. Signs of GPU fan failure include grinding noises during gaming, GPU temperatures above 85°C under load, or the fan stuck at 100% speed.

A metal block or plate that absorbs heat from the CPU/GPU and conducts it away via copper heat pipes to the fan. Heatsinks can become clogged with dust over years of use, reducing airflow significantly. Cleaning the heatsink and fan vents is part of a full thermal service.

The process of removing old, dried thermal paste and applying fresh compound. Typically reduces CPU temperatures by 10–20°C on older laptops. Recommended every 3–5 years, or immediately if your laptop is throttling or shutting down from heat. Often paired with fan cleaning for best results.

Revolutions per minute — the speed at which a fan is spinning. Diagnostic tools read live fan RPM to confirm whether a fan is functioning correctly. A fan showing 0 RPM while the laptop is hot indicates complete fan failure and requires immediate replacement.