What is the best way to apply thermal paste to a laptop CPU?

[qeeg]

Hey, i was looking to improve the performance of my laptop by replacing the thermal grease, but I don't know how likely I am to damage my CPU in the process. For reference, my laptop has a Ryzen 5 3500U in it.

[Battler]

Since when is this a forum for supporting *new* hardware? I thought this was supposed to be for *old* hardware?

[Wheatley]

Hey, i was looking to improve the performance of my laptop by replacing the thermal grease, but I don't know how likely I am to damage my CPU in the process. For reference, my laptop has a Ryzen 5 3500U in it.

The main hazard is applying uneven pressure on the die, which in the worst case may cause it to crack since laptop CPUs don't have an IHS. That's why you should unscrew and screw the screws in a cross pattern instead of a clockwise fashion.

[DDX]

Since when is this a forum for supporting *new* hardware? I thought this was supposed to be for *old* hardware?

You forget to consider the hundreds of people who may want to revive their 1998 ThinkPads, Battler. Think of the ThinkPad army!

[Ene]

Take your syringe, apply a small drop of thermal compound on your shiny chip, don't get any of that shit on the socket or the legs (if there is one).
If you fucked up, take some denaturated alcohol and a toothbrush, apply a bit of alcohol on the CPU and slowly scrub the compound off. Cover it with a cooling system.

[qeeg]

I don't think a toothbrush would be a good thing to use on a raw laptop CPU die lol. What if i end up scratching the die with that thing?

[Battler]

- DDX: I'd say 1998 ThinkPads qualify as old hardware, being, well, 22 years old.