How to Apply Thermal Grease to a Laptop

Learn to correctly apply thermal grease to your laptop's processor.

Thermal grease, or thermal gel, is a jelly-like substance that should be applied to the surface of a computer processor's surface before the heat sink, or cooling fan, is installed. The thermal grease transfers the heat generated by the processor into air by sending the heat through the heat sink to the fan. Without a proper amount of thermal grease on your processor, it will malfunction as soon as you power on your laptop. It is important to know how to correctly apply thermal grease to your laptop's processor.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Precision screwdriver kit
• Thermal material cleaner
• Thermal grease
• Antistatic wrist strap

Instructions

1. Turn off your laptop using the operating system's start menu. Disconnect all potential power sources from the laptop. This includes your power cable, battery pack and any external storage, peripheral or networking devices. Close the display panel, and place the laptop face down.

2. Remove all hardware devices accessible from the bottom casing. This usually includes the hard drive, RAM, optical drive and networking card. Most hardware devices are concealed by plastic covers, and secured in place by one or several Phillips-head screws. The RAM networking devices may be held in place by securing clips.

3. Place the laptop face up, and pull open the display panel. Remove the keyboard's securing strip, which is a thin piece of plastic situated between the LCD and keyboard assemblies. Remove any Phillips-head screws securing the keyboard in place. Place the keyboard face down on the laptop's surface. Disconnect its ribbon cable from the motherboard, and then remove the keyboard from the laptop completely.

4. Disconnect any cables extending from either side of the display panel to the motherboard. Remove the screws from each display hinge, and then remove the display panel from the laptop's base.

5. Remove all Phillips-head screws securing your laptop's top casing to the base of the computer. Disconnect all cables extending from the top casing to the motherboard. Carefully remove the top casing from the laptop to reveal the entire motherboard.

6. Remove or loosen the screws securing the processor fan to the motherboard. Disconnect the fan's cable, and then remove the cooling fan assembly from the laptop to reveal the processor chip.

7. Turn the processor's locking screw in the counterclockwise direction to disengage the processor from its socket. Lift the processor out of the laptop, and place it face up on a flat surface.

8. Use a clean paper towel or cloth to wipe away the excess thermal grease from the processor and surrounding areas. Apply some thermal material cleaner (see Resources) to the processor's surface. Allow the cleaner to set for a few minutes, and then use a clean paper towel to remove the remaining thermal grease from the processor's surface.

9. Place the cleaned processor inside its socket. Turn the processor's locking screw in the clockwise direction one-half turn to lock the processor in place. Apply a bead of thermal grease about the size of a BB pellet to the processor's surface.

10. Spread the grease evenly on the processor's surface with a clean paper towel. Follow the laptop disassembly procedure in reverse to reassemble your computer.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear a pear of chemical resistant gloves to prevent skin irritation when handling the thermal grease and cleaning materials.

• Use an anstistatic wrist strap to prevent electrical damage to your laptop.

References

• Maximum PC: How to Properly Apply Thermal Grease
• Tech Power Up: Thermal Paste and How to Use It

Resources

• Overclockers HQ: Tuniq TX-2 Review
• ArtiClean