Replacing stock thermal compound

You should check the fan to see if it is clear of dust and functions, if the fan moves too little air the heat builds up. Replacing the thermal compound may help if the fan is clean an functional.

Hi, invariably if the fan is clogged then thermal paste will have degraded.

I believe that the silicone or other compound eventually evaporates or otherwise decomposes and

the result is flaky cooling.

Its also worth checking that the CPU is clean, sometimes they get fingerprints on the core and this can cause no end of problems over time even if it "seems" to work initially.

Usually just clean it with IPA and do the contact area on thermal pipe at the same time.

Also be aware that thermal compound containing silver can cause anomalies with silver migrating into the surrounding areas such as capacitors so you should be cautious and use only a tiny amount.

I once trashed a very expen$ive TV by using it on a HOT (hint: don't do this!)

I’ve replaced my thermal paste on my XPS 13 a few days ago (2017 version, i7-8550u). It is still quite hot on idle (about 60°C, but that seems quite normal for a 13” laptop) but I won about 15°C on high load.

Compiling on 8 threads, it used to be 95°C hot @2,20 GHz and now it’s more 80°C @2.30 GHz.

In most scenarios it is either cooler or running at higher frequency. I’m very happy with it!