Discovering that your CPU, whether old or new, needs thermal paste for effective heat transfer usually raises the question. And even though you can apply the thermal paste yourself, you still need the answer to ‘Do CPUs come with thermal paste?’
Yes, thermal paste comes with your CPU. However, it does not come directly with your CPU; instead, it comes with the CPU cooler, not the processor. So, if your computer uses a stock cooler, you will find the paste between the CPU and the cooler’s base.
Does thermal paste come with a CPU?
As we said now, the thermal paste for the CPU is actually for the cooler, so you would not be wrong to say the CPU comes with a thermal paste, regardless of which part of the CPU it comes with.
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The thermal paste is essential to a computer’s lifespan. The computer generates a lot of heat when it is in use, and it needs to transfer out the heat, and the thermal gel aids the quick and effective transfer of heat from the computer to the cooling system.
Do I need to buy thermal paste with a CPU?
The thermal paste increases the cooling system’s efficiency; without it, a computer will not function as it should. So, if your CPU or cooling system does not come with thermal paste, you must apply it.
This does not mean your computer can not function without the thermal paste, but it shouldn’t be without it. To understand the use of the thermal paste, you should understand the connection between the computer and the cooling system.
Between the processor’s base and the CPU, microscopic holes usually reduce the transfer of heat from one component to another. And if left unchecked, air will get stuck there. Air being a lousy conductor of heat will spell doom for the processor.
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This is where the thermal gel comes in. The thermal gel not only fills the air space between the components but also aids the quick transfer of heat from the computer to the cooling system.
Without the thermal gel, the cooling system can not efficiently lower the temperature of the CPU. Then your CPU remind hot for longer than it should be, leading to the internal circuitry breaking down And ultimately causing the CPU to falter and not perform effectively.
So, you need to buy the thermal paste if your computer is overheating or the CPU is malfunctioning.
Does the CPU Ryzen come with thermal paste?
As you know, the thermal paste does not come attached to the CCPU; it either comes applied on the CPU cooler or in the pack for you to use yourself. This means CPU Ryzen (AMD CPU) might or might not come with thermal paste depending on the series of Ryzen CPUs you get.
If your CPU comes boxed with a stock cooling system, it might come with the thermal paste you must apply yourself.
The only Ryzen series that does not come with a cooling solution is the Zen 2 Ryzen nine series. And the Ryzen 5 and 7 CPUs come with cooling solutions. However, Ryzen 5 is the only AMD CPU that comes with the cooling solution pre-applied.
If the thermal paste does not come pre-applied, one of the problems you might face while using it is getting thermal paste in the CPU socket (AM4). And if there is too much thermal paste on the motherboard or CPU, it can also alter the computer’s function.
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So, apart from CPUs inside prebuilt desktops, if you get an unboxed CPU, you might not get a cooler with it. And for second-hand CPUs, it is best to buy your thermal paste.
Does Intel CPU come with thermal paste?
Intel CPUs do not come with the thermal paste in the CPU core; they can only come with the CPU that includes a cooling system. And almost all Intel processors come with a stock cooling system with the thermal solution applied. (except IntelX and IntelK)
Final Verdict
As helpful as the thermal paste, a moderate amount of it is enough, and that small amount can last up to two to three years. So, do not reply except when necessary; it might cause more harm than good. And if you get a used CPU, ensure you check the thermal paste to know if you need to reapply it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Remove CPU stuck to heatsink
When removing the processor, you can find thermal paste in the CPU socket or stuck to the processor. Exerting excess force to remove the thermal sink might not work. Also, it can damage the processor. So, instead, you can use these tips.
- Turn the processor carefully so that you do not bend the pins.
- Apply isopropyl alcohol to the heatsink and processor.
- Get a string of dental floss or thin thread and let it penetrate any side that gives the best leverage.
- Move the floss or thread to and fro until you can remove the thermal paste without applying force.
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Should I Apply a Thermal Solution to a New CPU despite the pre-applied Thermal Paste?
Whether you are buying an Intel or AMD CPU or a used CPU, if it comes with pre-applied thermal paste, you do not have to add to it. You should not add because, first, mixing pastes is not advisable, and since you do not know what cooling solution was applied, you might as well leave it.
Also, adding more thermal paste might result in the thermal paste being too much, causing the excess thermal paste to squeeze out when installing the cooler. The spill of the thermal paste might cause a problem when removing the CPU cooler, and some cause the heatsink and CPU to be stuck together.
How much Thermal Paste is Enough?
Thermal paste does not have to cover the whole cold plate, and it does not have to be even because this can sometimes cause spills of the thermal paste. The small size of the thermal paste is enough as long as it covers up to half of the plate.
