We'll show you how to apply thermal paste in its various different forms, using different patterns depending on the Intel or AMD CPU you're using.

Which thermal paste pattern is best? This is a hotly-debated question that I'm sure most PC builders have an opinion on. Personally, I'm a line guy, especially with the introduction of Intel's ...

This "idiot proof" thermal paste stencil makes CPU installation easy Whether you're building a gaming PC with an Intel or AMD processor, this new X-Apply film reportedly creates an even paste pattern.

Deciding on which thermal paste pattern to use is one of the longest-running debates in the PC-building world. Some prefer a dot, an "x," or even a straight line (aka sausage).

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Comparing its thermal performance to a conventional "sausage" pattern paste application, he found the X-Apply method kept things just a few degrees cooler on average.

Too much paste can spill over the chip and penetrate the CPU socket, possibly causing thermal problems and potential damage. Scholars argue about the ideal amount of thermal paste (here from Noctua).

Replacing thermal paste can definitely make a difference, but it requires taking the graphics card apart. That means you'll need some technical know-how, and it will probably void your warranty.

Thermal paste is all that stands between your computer's CPU and waves of heat that can damage and eventually destroy it. Learn how to change it properly.