Thermal tape is an adhesive used between a computer chip and heat sink, but it’s not an efficient conductor of heat. Other options include grease pads, silicone and ceramic pastes, and metal-based pastes. CPUs that ship with a heat sink come with a thermal compound, and it’s important to use the recommended compound when reinstalling a heat sink. Gamers and overclockers should use high-quality thermal materials for best results.
Thermal tape is a type of adhesive that can be used between a computer chip and a heat sink, typically chosen when the heat sink doesn’t have a retention system to stay in place. The thermal tape acts as a coupler to hold the heat sink while filling small spaces between the two surfaces to more efficiently transfer heat from the chip. The problem with heat tape is that it’s not a very efficient conductor of heat. Luckily there are other options out there that do a better job.
There was a time when computer processing units (CPUs) didn’t require heat sinks, but as chips got more powerful, they generated more heat. When heat sinks first became available, they were added as an aftermarket option and had no retention systems. Thermal tape provided a satisfactory solution to two problems: holding the heatsink in place and filling microscopic gaps that slowed heat transfer in the chip and heatsink surface.
As technology advanced and heat sinks became mandatory, manufacturers began packing them with CPUs as motherboards adopted designs to accept retention systems. Several compounds have also been developed and commercialized to improve heat transfer with results superior to thermal tape.
Some of the materials used in place of heat tape include grease pads, silicone and ceramic pastes, and metal-based pastes. Compounds that contain metals are generally thought to be the best conductors of heat, but if the material gets into the motherboard it can cause a short. In some cases gamers may want to attach a third-party heatsink to a video card chipset, for example, where a retention system isn’t an option. Instead of thermal tape, an epoxy-based thermal grease could be chosen. It will transfer heat better than heat tape, although the bond will be permanent.
CPUs that ship with a heat sink also ship with a thermal compound intended for use with the product. In many cases this is a pad of thermal grease placed on the bottom of the heatsink. All you have to do is peel off the protective paper seal before installing. Often the warranty of a CPU depends on the use of the thermal material packaged with the chip and heat sink.
If a heat sink is removed from a CPU, all thermal material must be removed from both surfaces and new material applied before reinstallation. Denatured alcohol is generally recommended for cleaning surfaces. Check your CPU warranty or manufacturer’s website for recommendations on what type of thermal compound to use. It is not recommended to use a CPU heat sink without applying some type of thermal grease. The chip core can heat up rapidly and melt or become unusable. Gamers and overclockers are encouraged to use high quality thermal materials for best results. Unfortunately, you can be pretty sure that highly affordable heat tape won’t be one of the recommendations.
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