In most cases (99% of the time) your prebuilt PC will come with thermal paste pre-installed.
In the unlikely event that that is not the case, don’t worry, we’re here to help.
In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about thermal paste- from what it is, to whether or not your pre-built gaming computer when you’re pc building will come with it, and even how to apply it (if needed).
What is thermal paste?
Thermal paste is a thermal compound, commonly used as a material to fill tiny gaps between a CPU and its metal plates.
The purpose of thermal paste is to help improve conductivity between these two surfaces and improve the overall cooling performance.
You don’t need a huge amount to protect your computer from overheating and keep it running smoothly.
Does a prebuilt PC come with thermal paste?
Most CPUs have pre-applied paste or come with a small tube or packet of thermal paste. If you’re buying a pre-built gaming computer, it will likely include thermal paste as well.
In some cases though, the CPU or CPU cooler won’t have applied thermal paste in the cooling system.
You would usually get this information from the seller or it will be stated clearly that they have not yet added it.
If in your case, they did not add any, don’t fret – we’ll show you how to properly apply thermal paste later on.
What can thermal paste do for your PC?
By filling in the gaps between your CPU and CPU coolers with thermal paste, you can significantly improve cooling performance.
This additional surface area for contact will help to dissipate CPU temperatures more effectively, keeping your CPU cooler overall and extending its lifespan.
Simply apply the paste to the top of the CPU before attaching the heat sink.
How to apply thermal paste when you need it
If your CPU didn’t come with its own thermal paste pre-applied, don’t worry – it’s easy to do yourself. Just follow these simple steps:
- Clean the surfaces of the CPU and other metal surfaces with a microfiber cloth that will be in contact with the new thermal paste.
- Add your thermal paste at roughly the size of a pea right in the center.
- Make sure nothing has spilled.
- Put it all back in place, ensure no thermal paste is leaking on the sides after the you put your CPU cooler on.
Now you’re ready to apply the correct amount of this thermal interface material in any intel CPUs or heatsink. And have your CPU last longer and have a better performance.
We hope this article has helped to clear any confusion about thermal paste and whether or not your pre-built gaming computer will come with it.
Prebuilt PCs are definitely worth it as it is the choice for those who don’t want to go through the hassle of building their custom rig, and now you know that you can trust them to come with everything you need – including thermal paste.
