Thermal Paste
A heat-conducting compound applied between the CPU/GPU chip and heatsink. It dries out over 3–5 years — replacing it is one of the most effective fixes for laptop overheating.
- What It Is
- Why It Matters
- Types of Thermal Paste
- People Also Ask
Thermal paste is applied in a thin layer between the CPU or GPU chip and the heatsink. Its job is to fill microscopic air gaps in the metal surfaces — air is a poor heat conductor, thermal paste is not.
A good thermal paste can reduce CPU temperatures by 10–20°C compared to no paste or dried-out paste.
Thermal paste dries and cracks over 3–5 years. Once dried, it loses conductivity. CPU temperatures spike, triggering thermal throttling, causing performance to drop and fans to run at full speed.
Replacing dried thermal paste (repasting) is one of the most cost-effective laptop repairs — typically 45–60 minutes and can restore full performance on throttling laptops.
| Type | Conductivity | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard paste (e.g. Kryonaut) | 12.5 W/mK | Most laptops |
| High-performance paste (e.g. Kryonaut Extreme) | 14.2 W/mK | High-TDP gaming chips |
| Liquid metal (e.g. Conductonaut) | ~73 W/mK | Gaming laptops, professional only |
How often should thermal paste be replaced?
Every 3–5 years, or immediately if overheating or throttling. In Singapore’s heat, 3 years is more realistic.
Can I apply thermal paste myself?
On some laptops, yes. Incorrect application can make temperatures worse. For most users, professional repasting is the safer option.
What is the best thermal paste for laptops in Singapore?
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is the benchmark — excellent conductivity, long lifespan, non-electrically conductive.
How much does repasting cost in Singapore?
Available at Affordable Laptop Services with Thermal Grizzly as standard. Free diagnosis, same-day service.
Free thermal diagnosis. Repasting, fan cleaning, or liquid metal. Same-day service.
