How to Apply Thermal Paste MacBook: 3 Steps

Posted By Volodymyr Chubei | 26 Aug 2024

During the operation of the processor, its temperature rises and it is necessary to monitor the condition of the MacBook thermal paste to avoid overheating. After the repair or replacement of the processor, as well as the heatsink related to the cooling system, you need to apply thermal paste MacBook as a new layer is required for the above reasons.

In this article, we will describe how to apply thermal paste MacBook without outside help, which tools and accessories you will need to do this, and what can happen to the device if it is done incorrectly.

If you intend to apply thermal paste MacBook, make sure you have the following:

Isopropyl alcohol for cleaning and degreasing surfaces.
Spudger - a spatula for opening the cases of tablets, laptops, and smartphones and dismantling small parts.
A basket filter or piece of felt.
Two-component cleaner ArctiClean.
Arctic Silver Thermal Paste.

Also: How to clean MacBook fan

3 Steps for Applying Thermal Paste MacBook:

The process of preparing surfaces and applying thermal paste Mac is simple, so anyone with no experience can handle it. However, you should strictly follow our guide that describes the best way how to apply thermal paste MacBook and take into account all the recommendations.

1. Removing Old Thermal Paste from Heatsink Cores

First, you need to clean the heatsink cores from the old thermal paste on MacBook:

carefully scrape off the old thermal paste from the copper elements of the radiator with a spudger;
take a basket filter or felt cloth and wet it in isopropyl alcohol;
remove the residues of the old thermal paste;
repeat the procedure on the cleaned surface to degrease it before applying the thermal paste.

During the cleaning process, make sure that dust and debris do not get on the surface of the heatsink and the processor. It is also highly undesirable to touch the surfaces of these elements with your hands. Even the smallest particles of grease can lead to poor contact with thermal paste and reduce its effectiveness.

In addition, it is necessary to allow the surface to dry completely and only then apply a layer of heat-conducting substance.

2. Removing Thermal Paste from the Surface of the Processor

After preparing the surface of the heatsink cores, you need to clean the processor. It is important to proceed carefully so as not to damage anything, so it is not recommended to use metal tools.

Processor Cleaning:

Use the flat end of a spudger to remove thermal paste residues carefully;
wet the filter or lint-free cloth with isopropyl alcohol or ArctiClean two-component cleaner;
remove the residues of thermal paste from the surface;
Use a clean cloth or filter soaked in degreaser to wipe the surface of the processor once again.

3. Apply New Thermal Paste

You can proceed with applying a heat-conducting substance only after the surfaces are prepared and completely dry. The method it is applied depends on the processor type. It can be a vertical, horizontal line or in the center. You can find this information on the thermal paste manufacturer's website.

The process of the MacBook thermal paste applying consists of the following simple steps:

wrap the index finger with cellophane or a napkin;
apply a small amount of thermal paste to the processor core and carefully spread it evenly over the entire surface or as specified in the instructions for the processor;
do the same for all cores.

Upon completion, you can install a heatsink on the processor.

If during the application of the thermal paste on MacBook, some of it got outside the core to the green part of the processor, it's okay. Thermal paste will not affect the operation of the processor in any way and will not damage anything.

When buying parts and consumables, choose only original ones rather than cheap counterparts. All the necessary components for Apple gadgets at competitive prices can be bought at Techtoro.io.

There are only original parts in the range offered by the store. They were tested and guarantee 100% performance. You can order delivery to any country. The delivery time depends on the distance and may take 1 to 15 days.

Also: Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive: Easy Way

FAQ

1. What happens if you don't apply thermal paste correctly

If thermal paste is applied incorrectly, the processor may generate more heat than is allowed. This will lead to overheating and, possibly, to the failure of the processor.

2. What is the correct way to apply thermal paste on MacBook?

Apply thermal paste exactly as specified. First, the surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and degreased, allowed to dry, and only then thermal paste can be applied. The method depends on the type of processor.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Volodymyr Chubei
Computer Repair Specialist at TechToro.io

Volodymyr was born in Ukraine and has found his passion for electronics from his childhood. At the age of 13, he was capable of soldering some basic elements of a logic board and today he is one of the co-founders of TechToro.io