For all people who have been using a computer for a long time, sooner or later the following happened: the computer began to start and work more slowly than before, freeze during operation, reboot independently or not start at all. And it's not about viruses or system crashes. The thing is that the computer began to overheat, because it had dried thermal grease. In this article, the reader will find the answer to the question of how to apply thermal grease to the video card.
What it is
How to apply thermal grease to a video card? Before answering this question, it is necessary to understand what it is and why it is needed at all. Thermal grease is an essential component of a computer's cooling system. The thing is that the video card processor actively heats up while the computer is working, and if you do not cool it, this will lead to equipment breakdown. In order for the processor not to heat up, there is a special cooling system, but it is not built into the video card itself, but only is its component. Therefore, it is necessary to connect the processor and the radiator of the cooling system. This is what thermal grease is for.
How to apply
For the computer to last for many years, you must be able to correctly change the thermal grease. The following provides instructions on how to properly apply thermal grease to a video card:
- Turn off the computer and disconnect it from the power supply.
- We disassemble the system unit by unscrewing the necessary screws on the side cover for this.
- We unscrew the fixing bolts that are located on the rear panel of the system unit.
- Disconnect the wires connecting the video card and the motherboard.
- We get it from the motherboard slot.
- Next, on a pre-prepared desktop, we turn off the cooling system from the video card (the bolts that fix the cooling system are located on the back side of the video card).
- With light movements, without a jerk, disconnect the cooling system from the video card (it is important to be careful, since the thermal grease has dried up and stuck to the radiator of the cooling system during operation). If you can’t remove the heatsink from the processor, then you should heat the heatsink with a hairdryer, while blowing from above.
- We remove the remnants of thermal paste with a cotton swab or a dry cloth.
- We clear a radiator of thermal paste.
- We remove the remaining dust with a hairdryer.
- Next, apply a small layer of thermal paste to the processor (note that you need to apply only to the processor).
- Using a plastic card, we evenly distribute the thermal paste layer over the entire surface of the processor (a small space should be left at the edges, since at the moment of connecting the radiator, the paste under pressure will stretch over the entire surface, but it should not come out over the edge).
- We connect the radiator of the cooling system to the processor (there should not be a gap between the elements, otherwise the integrity of the applied layer will be violated).
- We turn the video card over and begin to tighten the fixing bolts (it is very important to do this crosswise, while trying to change the twisting bolt every few revolutions so that the thermal grease is evenly distributed over the entire surface).
- We return the item to its place, not forgetting to connect all the wires to the motherboard.
How much thermal paste to apply to a video card
This issue is considered separately, because it is very important, and you need to pay attention to it. Since thermal grease is the main binder between the heatsink and the processor, there should be no gaps or cavities into which air can enter. Thermal grease also has the property of spreading over the surface of the processor, so you can not apply it a lot, otherwise after installing the heat sink it will leak over the edges of the processor and you will have to remove it. From the foregoing, it follows that it must be applied with a thin layer to the very center, and then evenly distributed using a plastic card.
How to apply thermal grease to an Nvidia graphics card
There is no fundamental difference in applying thermal paste to different video cards. But still there are differences that will be considered on the example of Nvidia products.
The difference is in fixing the cooling system to the video card, as different manufacturers use different bolts. It also depends on the level of the video card: the more powerful it is, the more complex the cooling system.
Application Rules
Now it remains only to understand the nuances of applying thermal paste to the video card processor. So, how to apply thermal grease to the video card processor?
- Before applying, remove the old thermal grease.
- A thin layer must be applied to the center of the processor.
- It is important to evenly distribute all thermal grease across the surface of the processor.
- It is best to distribute thermal paste with a plastic card.
- Do not touch the processor with your hands.
- It is not recommended to touch the thermal compound just applied to the processor.
- No need to apply thermal grease to the radiator.
How often to change thermal grease
Replace as soon as this dries. But since it is impossible to disassemble the video card for this and look at the amount of thermal paste (otherwise the integrity will be violated), then the thermal paste should be changed once a year and a half. Also, users who are familiar with the BIOS can monitor the temperature of the processors and determine when to replace. You can also download a special program on the Internet that allows you to monitor the temperature of the entire system.
Finally
Thermal grease is an essential part of the cooling system, so you need to monitor its quantity. This article provided an answer to the question of how to apply thermal grease to a video card.