Mac Mini Thermal Paste on CPU - Apply or not?

[Inhambuxinta]

Hi,

I have a Mac Mini Late 2014 and after 6y of good usage I decide to reapply the thermal paste, I was getting hot temps lately.

But I notice that only the GPU has paste... there was no paste on the CPU, when I sought help on internet tutorials about that every video and article I saw had no paste on the CPU originally but always recommended applying there too. No one I found mentioned the lack of paste there initially btw.

If it originally came without paste should I apply? Or do need to only apply at the GPU?

Here's an image I took from the video Heat Sink Replacement - Mac Mini 2014 - 2017 (A1347)

BTW, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm assuming the square without paste is the CPU and the rectangle is the GPU.

Thanks

 

[Apple-is-Cool]

The circle on top(large die) is the GPU and CPU SoC with L3 caches and memory controller, the circle on the bottom(small die) is the platform controller hub/chipset(PCH) which does not need thermal paste.

Just clean with an alcohol pad and apply paste to the large die, I recommend Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut for your Mac mini.

GPU/CPU SoC on left, PCH on right. Source: IFIXIT

 

[Inhambuxinta]

Thanks!! and thanks for the recommendation too ?

 

[satcomer]

I say any computer that old needs thermal paste, and don’t be stingy on price for the better paste! Most Thermal paste lasts about 6-8 years anyway!