Thermal Paste — CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) Practice Questions
Thermal paste (also called thermal compound or thermal interface material) is applied between a CPU or GPU and its heatsink to eliminate microscopic air gaps and improve heat transfer. The 220-1101 exam tests when thermal paste must be replaced, such as during CPU cooler removal or when investigating thermal throttling and overheating, as well as correct application techniques to avoid excess coverage or air bubbles. Using too much or too little thermal paste can result in poor thermal conductivity and component damage. Proper thermal paste management is a routine maintenance skill for desktop and some laptop repair scenarios covered on the exam.
Free questions on thermal paste
What is the primary function of thermal paste in a CPU cooler installation?
Free question · easy · full answer + explanation
More thermal paste questions in the full bank
- You are troubleshooting a gaming laptop that frequently throttles performance and shuts down unexpectedly during intense gaming sessions. The CPU temperature reaches 95°C within minutes of loading a game. What should you check FIRST? Unlock answer & explanation →
- What is the function of thermal paste? Unlock answer & explanation →
- What is the purpose of thermal paste when installing a CPU cooler? Unlock answer & explanation →