My PC is about three years old and has started running unusually hot, with both the CPU and GPU temperatures higher than before. I'm planning to clean out the dust, replace the CPU thermal paste, and install a second intake fan. I have very little PC-building experience, so is this something I can safely do myself with a guide, or would it be better to take the computer to a repair shop? My CPU cooler is an Arctic Freezer A35, and the case currently has one bottom intake fan and one exhaust fan. I'm considering adding the second intake fan at the top of the case.
3 Answers
Before assuming the paste is the problem, clean the dust filters, heatsinks, and fans first, then check temperatures again. Three years of dust buildup can make both the CPU and GPU run hotter. Also, a top-mounted fan is often better as an exhaust rather than an intake, depending on the case layout, since hot air naturally rises. Make sure the added fan improves the overall front/bottom intake and rear/top exhaust flow instead of creating conflicting airflow.
This is very manageable as a first DIY upgrade. Look up a guide for the Arctic Freezer A35, shut the system down, unplug it, and take your time. Remove the old paste completely, apply a small amount of new paste, and reinstall the cooler evenly. For the fan, make sure your case has a mounting spot and that the motherboard has an available fan header. The motherboard manual should show which headers to use and how they’re labeled.
I’d do this yourself rather than pay a store. Replacing thermal paste is mostly about removing the cooler carefully, cleaning the old compound with isopropyl alcohol, applying a small fresh amount, and tightening the cooler evenly. Adding a fan is even simpler: screw it into the case and connect its cable to a motherboard fan header or a fan hub. Just check the airflow arrows so the fan points in the intended direction.
The exact cooler and current airflow layout do matter, so it’s worth checking those before buying anything. A tower cooler like the A35 is usually fairly straightforward, though you may need a longer screwdriver.