Can a thermal paste be a reason that pc doesn't work properly
Posted by T5_LEGEND_00@reddit | hardware | View on Reddit | 31 comments
I see that there is almost no thermal paste on my processor and my pc is turning off automatically after like 5 min or so
So is the thermal paste problem or anything else?
bubblesort33@reddit
CPUs have build in temperature limits. If it's getting too hot, what would happen is that it would slow itself down. If it's shutting down because of temperature, you likely have issues way beyond bad thermal paste. Broken fan. So much dust in the heatsink no air hard through, etc. Thermalpaste will contribute a little, but it's generally not enough to push you to shut down.
I could take all the thermal paste off my CPU and clean it, start it up, and play Cyberpunk for 2 hours and I guarantee you it won't shut down. Maybe I'd get 20% lower fps if it's thermal throttling. I think it's more likely something is damaged. Silicon chips wear out over theime
T5_LEGEND_00@reddit (OP)
So how do I know which thing is wrong ?
Is there any way?
bubblesort33@reddit
First of all, do you actually know if it's overheating? Have you monitored the temperatures while it's running? For AMD CPUs it's like 95c before it thermal throttles, and for Intel 100c. If it's less than those, temperature on the CPU is not your problem.
Hwinfo or hwmonitor are common aps to use for that, but there is lots of others. I think Windows monitors GPU temp, but I'm not seeing where CPU temperature is monitored in the Task Manager. MSI afterburner should work too.
Nicholas-Steel@reddit
It can be a cause, a CPU only needs a thin layer of thermal paste but it needs to be in good condition and cover a large surface area. Did you check the fans work?
T5_LEGEND_00@reddit (OP)
Yeah fan is working but there is no thermal paste on processor like negligible
spacerays86@reddit
Does it blow heat.
T5_LEGEND_00@reddit (OP)
Fan or processor?
Nicholas-Steel@reddit
I think he's asking you to put your hand near the fan and feel the temperature of the breeze.
T5_LEGEND_00@reddit (OP)
Oh I see
Nicholas-Steel@reddit
The issue is very likely a poor application of thermal paste. You'll want to clean it off the heatsink and CPU using some isopropyl alcohol wipes, wait for it to dry and then apply a thin coating of the stuff on the CPU.
JuanElMinero@reddit
The fan of the cooler sitting on the processor.
It's to test if the heat transfer works.
nbates66@reddit
mind showing us a picture of the thermal paste and heatsink?
T5_LEGEND_00@reddit (OP)
Here:--https://www.reddit.com/u/T5_LEGEND_00/s/rO4BlgLyAb
JuanElMinero@reddit
Seems very little and/or dried out. The rest might be stuck to the cooler base. Seems in need of replacing.
T5_LEGEND_00@reddit (OP)
Ok
T5_LEGEND_00@reddit (OP)
How can I show?
spacerays86@reddit
Upload to Imgur and link it in a comment.
T5_LEGEND_00@reddit (OP)
Here:---https://www.reddit.com/u/T5_LEGEND_00/s/rO4BlgLyAb
T5_LEGEND_00@reddit (OP)
Ok
Mipper@reddit
Download a program that can track your CPU temps (e.g. https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html). If your CPU temperature is gradually rising until it shuts down that's a sure sign your cooling is not working. Make sure there isn't a layer of plastic between the cooler and CPU, clean off the contact surface with an alcohol solution (if you don't have any a bit of a paper towel and a bit of scrubbing is fine too, don't use water), apply new thermal paste and you should be good to go.
T5_LEGEND_00@reddit (OP)
Oh thanks a lot bro
I have a temp application but I didn't thought of this idea thanks a lot
laxounet@reddit
How ? Did you unmount the cooler ? If there is indeed no thermal paste, yes, you need to put some back.
T5_LEGEND_00@reddit (OP)
Yeah i unmount the fan
laxounet@reddit
Then time to buy some paste
T5_LEGEND_00@reddit (OP)
Should I buy a paste or ask a repair man to put it?
laxounet@reddit
Removing the cooler is the hardest part, so if you already did that you might as well re apply paste yourself. Just spread a thin layer of paste over the CPU
T5_LEGEND_00@reddit (OP)
Lol I didn't find any hardness in that lol
Like just unplugged a part and it came off
laxounet@reddit
uuh that isn't normal. Are you talking about a desltop or laptop ? There should at least be some screws securing the cooler. What is your cooler ?
T5_LEGEND_00@reddit (OP)
Very old desktop
Only a wire and a lock with holes in it was attached to fan
szakee@reddit
read the rules.
Student-type@reddit
The CPU instantly heats up. If the heatsink is not working correctly then the CPU will shut down.