What is thermal paste and why do I need it? The top surface of a CPU, or the flat side of a heat-sink may seem perfectly smooth to the naked eye. Yet, you can be assured that every one of them contains microscopic divots, scratches, and pits. These seemingly miniscule imperfections trap air, which is one of the worst conductors of heat. For obvious reasons, it’s therefor In your best interests to occupy these areas fully, as to optimize performance, and extend the life of your components, via reduction of heat capacity. The only solve for this dilemma is thermal
