What would happen if the CPU had no silicone grease?
Among the hot topics in the past 10 days, discussions about computer hardware and cooling issues have remained high, especially technical issues related to CPU cooling that have attracted much attention. Among them, "What will happen if the CPU does not have silicone grease" has become the focus of heated discussion among many netizens. This article will analyze this issue and combine it with recent hot topics on the entire network to explain in detail the importance of silicone grease in CPU cooling.
1. The role of silicone grease
Silicone grease (also known as thermal paste) is the key medium between the CPU and the radiator. It is mainly used to fill the tiny gap between the CPU surface and the radiator base, thereby improving heat conduction efficiency. The following are the main functions of silicone grease:
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| fill gaps | The surface of the CPU and heat sink is not completely flat, and silicone grease can fill the tiny gaps and reduce the air insulation effect. |
| Improve thermal conductivity | The thermal conductivity of silicone grease is higher than that of air, which can transfer CPU heat to the radiator faster. |
| Prevent oxidation | Some silicone greases contain antioxidant ingredients that can slow down the oxidation rate of metal surfaces. |
2. Consequences of CPU without silicone grease
If the CPU does not have silicone grease, it may cause the following problems:
| question | Specific performance |
|---|---|
| Temperature soars | The efficiency of heat transfer between the CPU and the heat sink is greatly reduced, and the temperature can quickly rise to dangerous levels. |
| performance degradation | Modern CPUs usually have a temperature protection mechanism, which will automatically reduce the frequency when the temperature is high, resulting in reduced performance. |
| Hardware damage | Long-term high-temperature operation may shorten the life of the CPU or even directly burn the chip. |
| System is unstable | High temperatures may cause system instability such as blue screens and crashes. |
3. Recent hot cases
In the past 10 days of online discussions, the following cases have attracted widespread attention:
| Case | Details |
|---|---|
| Netizens installed the machine and overturned it | A DIY player forgot to apply silicone grease, causing the newly installed i9-13900K to reach a high temperature of 90°C in standby mode. |
| Radiator review controversy | In one evaluation video, the standard for the use of silicone grease was not unified, resulting in huge differences in the test results of different radiators. |
| Discussion of silicone grease alternatives | Some netizens tried to use toothpaste, butter and other substitutes, but the result was a painful lesson in hardware damage. |
4. Suggestions on the correct use of silicone grease
To avoid thermal failures caused by silicone grease issues, it is recommended to follow the following guidelines:
| Suggestions | Description |
|---|---|
| Apply appropriate amount | Usually only a mung bean-sized amount is needed and spread evenly with a scraper or radiator pressure. |
| Regular replacement | It is generally recommended to replace it every 1-2 years. Dry or hardened silicone grease will reduce the thermal conductivity effect. |
| Choose quality products | Give priority to silicone grease products from well-known brands (such as Arctic, Thermal Grizzly, etc.). |
| Avoid over-application | Too much silicone grease may overflow, posing a risk of short circuiting, especially for CPUs with exposed PCBs. |
5. Recommendations for recent popular silicone grease products
According to recent reviews and user feedback, the following silicone greases have performed well:
| Product name | Thermal conductivity (W/m·K) | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut | 12.5 | High performance, suitable for overclockers |
| Arctic MX-6 | 6.0 | High cost performance and good durability |
| Noctua NT-H2 | 8.9 | Easy to apply and good compatibility |
| Cooler Master MasterGel Pro | 11.0 | Balancing performance and price |
6. Summary
Although CPU silicone grease is small, it is a key factor in ensuring the stable operation of the system. It can be seen from recent hot discussions that many hardware problems stem from the neglect or improper use of silicone grease. Whether it is a novice installation or an experienced maintenance, you should pay attention to the correct selection and use of silicone grease. Remember: good heat dissipation is the basis for CPU performance, and high-quality silicone grease is a prerequisite for good heat dissipation.
If you have any installation or maintenance plans in the near future, you may wish to refer to the suggestions in this article to avoid becoming the next hot case of "forgetting to apply silicone grease". At the same time, you are also welcome to pay attention to more hot topics related to hardware and master the latest technology trends and usage skills.
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