Thermal grease

Use this information to determine the guidelines for using thermal grease on a heat sink and microprocessor.

The thermal grease must be replaced whenever the heat sink has been removed from the top of the microprocessor and is going to be reused or when debris is found in the grease.

To replace damaged or contaminated thermal grease on the microprocessor and heat sink, complete the following steps:

  1. Place the heat-sink assembly on a clean work surface.
  2. Remove the cleaning pad from its package and unfold it completely.
  3. Use the cleaning pad to wipe the thermal grease from the bottom of the heat sink.
    Note: Make sure that all of the thermal grease is removed.
  4. Use a clean area of the cleaning pad to wipe the thermal grease from the microprocessor; then, dispose of the cleaning pad after all of the thermal grease is removed.

  5. Use the thermal-grease syringe to place nine uniformly spaced dots of 0.02 mL each on the top of the microprocessor.


    Note: 0.01mL is one tick mark on the syringe. If the grease is properly applied, approximately half (0.22 mL) of the grease will remain in the syringe.
  6. Continue with the microprocessor installation instructions in Installing a microprocessor and heat sink.