I recently took off the cover next to my I/O ports to access my wifi card, and I noticed there was some sticky substance on the grey rubber bits. Is it safe to reattach this cover back on, or do I need to worry about that sticky stuff? Here's a picture of what I'm talking about: https://imgur.com/a/xIOPYvk
2 Answers
Yep, that heatsink is crucial for maintaining your CPU's performance. It keeps the VRMs cool, so I definitely recommend putting it back on. Ideally, you want to make sure it stays attached while you're using your PC.
That cover is actually a heatsink for your VRMs (Voltage Regulator Modules). The sticky substance is a thermal pad that helps transfer heat from the VRMs to the heatsink. It's important to keep that cover on when your computer is running to prevent overheating.
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