Thermal pad or thermal grease what is better for a laptop: what is thermal grease, its features, what is thermal pad

Many computer users are faced with the problem of overheating. Each laptop is equipped with a cooling system, but after a couple of years of operation, this device begins to overheat during operation. The problem is that from time to time it is necessary to change the thermal interface, but many users do not do this for one reason or another. What is it and what is it intended for, we will consider in this article.

What is thermal grease, its features

Thermal grease is a thick silicone-like plastic mass that has good thermal conductivity. It consists of various synthetic oils, metal powders, etc. It is used to properly cool electronic devices.

Using thermal paste, fill the empty space between the processor and the cooler heatsink to prevent overheating of the main part. It also provides heat transfer from the processor to the cooling system.

The disadvantage of this type of thermal interface is - drying and loss of its properties during operation of the laptop. The term of use of thermal paste ranges from 12 to 36 months, depending on the manufacturer, the load on the laptop, etc.

Attention! Thermal grease must be changed at least once a year, since most laptops fail due to the fact that they overheat.

What is thermal padding

Thermal padding is a thin elastic sheet that consists of a base and a filler. The filler may be graphite or ceramic.

This thermal interface is used to cool the important parts of the laptop, which are characterized by high temperature conditions. In most cases, it is glued to the graphics card chips, power circuits, etc.

Important! Thermal padding can fill a space in excess of 0.05 cm.

There are several types of thermal pads and they differ depending on the characteristics:

• conductive heat;
• thickness, which can vary between 0.5 mm - 5 mm;
• designs (single-layer, two-layer);
• the material from which they are made: rubber, silicone, copper or aluminum.

Attention! If you decide to change the thermal padding on your laptop, then be sure to pay attention to its thickness, thermal conductivity coefficient and other characteristics. Also, do not purchase a thermal interface, in which the expiration date is coming to an end.

Which is better to choose - thermal grease or thermal pad

When choosing a thermal interface, you should pay attention to its advantages and disadvantages. Consider in detail the general features and differences of thermal paste from thermal padding:

1. Thermal grease is used to fill the minimum distance between the part and the cooling system, approximately 0.3 mm, and the thermal pad is designed to fill a larger space close to 1 mm
2. Replacing any type of thermal interface has its own nuances. To apply a new layer of thermal paste, you must first clean the old, and then apply a thin and even layer. When replacing a thermal pad, it is necessary to take into account the size, thickness and other factors in order to correctly select a new thermal plug. But still, the second type is easier to replace than the first.
3. Their cost is about the same.
4. Thermal pad life is longer than thermal paste.
5. Thermal grease is superior in thermal conductivity to thermal padding.

It's hard to say which is better, thermal grease or thermal padding, but many experts recommend for laptops use thermal padding, as the processor heats up faster in such devices than conventional computers. Due to the constant movement of this electronic device, this type of thermal interface will be more reliable and practical.

It is not recommended to change the thermal grease to thermal grease, as this can lead to deterioration of the processor and loosening of the cooling system mounts. It is also forbidden to apply one type to another, as this can lead to a deterioration in thermal conductivity, and as a result will lead to damage to the motherboard or the processor itself.