TIM Selection Guide
How to Remove & Clean Off Thermal Paste
Remove old thermal paste with 90–99% isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth—no acetone or water. Step-by-step for CPU, GPU and laptop, plus what to avoid.
Archive
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Every guide on the ZIITEK blog, newest first.
13 articles
TIM Selection Guide
How Much Thermal Paste to Use
How much thermal paste? A pea-sized dot (~0.1–0.3 g) covers most desktop CPUs. Exact amounts by chip and GPU, applications per tube, and why more isn't better.
TIM Selection Guide
Thermal Pad Thickness & Compression Guide
Thermal pads only reach their rated W/mK under compression, usually 20–30%. Learn to measure the gap, pick nominal thickness, and set the right mounting force.
TIM Selection Guide
How to Apply Thermal Paste Correctly: CPU & GPU
Apply thermal paste correctly: put one pea-sized dot in the center of the CPU, then mount the cooler evenly so it spreads. Coverage beats pattern—full guide.
TIM Selection Guide
How to Choose a Thermal Interface Material
Choosing a thermal interface material means matching W/mK, thickness, hardness and insulation to your gap and power budget. A step-by-step guide for engineers.
TIM Selection Guide
Gap Filler vs Gap Pad vs Phase Change Material
Gap fillers conform to large, uneven gaps; gap pads are the fastest drop-in; PCM gives the lowest resistance on flat, high-power lids. A design-in comparison.
TIM Selection Guide
Thermal Pad vs Thermal Paste: Which Should You Use?
A practical comparison of thermal pads and thermal paste — how each works, where each wins, and how to choose by gap size, W/mK and manufacturability.
TIM Selection Guide
What Is Phase Change Material (PCM) TIM?
A phase change material (PCM) TIM is a solid pad that softens near 50–60 °C to flow like grease and set a thin bond line — without paste's pump-out. How it works.
TIM Selection Guide
Thermal Resistance vs Thermal Impedance Explained
Thermal resistance (K/W) is steady-state; thermal impedance adds time or area — for a TIM it's °C·in²/W at a set thickness. How they differ and when each matters.
TIM Selection Guide
Understanding Thermal Conductivity (W/mK) in TIM
A TIM's W/mK measures bulk conductivity, not real cooling. Learn what W/mK means, why the datasheet number misleads, and what predicts junction temperature.
TIM Selection Guide
Thermal Interface Materials: Selection Guide
Thermal interface materials fill microscopic air gaps between a chip and heatsink to cut thermal resistance. Compare TIM types, W/mK and how to choose one.
TIM Selection Guide
What Is Thermal Paste? Types, W/mK & How It Works
Thermal paste is a conductive compound that fills the microscopic air gaps between a chip and its heat sink. Learn its types, W/mK ratings, and how it works.
TIM Selection Guide
What Is a Thermal Pad? How They Work, Types & W/mK
A thermal pad is a soft, pre-cut thermal interface material that fills the gap between a chip and heatsink. Learn how they work, W/mK, types and how to choose.