What is Thermal Paste? Why Your Laptop Needs It
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Thermal paste (also called thermal compound or thermal grease) is a heat-conductive material applied between a processor (CPU or GPU) and its cooler. It fills microscopic air gaps on the metal surfaces to ensure maximum heat transfer — keeping your chip cool and performing at full speed.
Why does thermal paste matter in Singapore?
Singapore’s tropical climate — with year-round temperatures of 28–34°C and high humidity — puts extra thermal stress on laptops and PCs. Thermal paste naturally dries and degrades over time, typically within 3–5 years. In Singapore’s heat, this can happen faster. Dried-out thermal paste causes:
- CPU and GPU overheating
- Thermal throttling (the processor slows itself down to cool down)
- Sudden shutdowns during heavy tasks
- Loud fan noise as the cooler works overtime
- Shortened processor lifespan
Signs your thermal paste needs replacing
- Laptop runs very hot even on light tasks
- Fan is constantly at full speed
- Performance drops during gaming or video editing (thermal throttling)
- Laptop is 3+ years old and has never had thermal paste replaced
How much does thermal paste replacement cost in Singapore?
Thermal paste replacement is one of the most affordable laptop maintenance services available in Singapore. Most repair shops charge between S$30–S$80 for the service including labour, depending on the laptop model. It is one of the best value repairs you can do on an ageing laptop. See: Best Laptop Repair Singapore.