Which compound is used to prevent CPU overheating?

• A. Thermal Paste
• B. Thermal Compound
• C. Epoxy
• D. Lubricant

Answer: (A)

Improving heat transfer between the CPU and its heatsink is the key idea. The compound used for this is thermal paste (also called thermal compound). It fills microscopic gaps and air pockets between the CPU surface and the heatsink, reducing thermal resistance and allowing heat to move more efficiently into the cooling system. Air is a poor conductor of heat, so eliminating those gaps makes a noticeable difference in preventing overheating.

Epoxy would act as a rigid adhesive and isn’t designed for the dynamic, high-heat interface of a CPU, and a lubricant isn’t intended to conduct heat. That’s why thermal paste is the correct choice here. When applying, use a small amount right in the center and let the heatsink pressure spread it evenly across the surface.