What does the hole in the back cover of some Intel CPUs do?

Some Intel CPUs have a hole in the corner, such as the Core i9 X series. So, what does this hole do, if the thermal paste falls in it? The following article will help you to come up with the answer.

What does the hole in the back cover of some Intel CPUs do? Picture 1 What does the hole in the back cover of some Intel CPUs do? Picture 1

What does the hole in the back cover of some Intel CPUs do?

The hole in the back cover of some of these CPUs is what Intel calls a vent hole - the 'vent' that dissipates heat and aligns.

At the Intel factory, the back cover (IHS) is glued to the circuit part of the CPU with epoxy glue. Then, this hole will be the place for the air to escape. Without it, the air will be trapped inside the CPU causing the air pressure to increase, causing the glue line to deform, causing the glue to be uneven.

Does the heat sink glue get in?

However, old thermal paste often falls into this hole and is very difficult to remove. According to Intel's confirmation, it will be okay for normal non-conductive thermal paste to fall into that hole.

However, with a liquid metal glue capable of conducting electricity, it is a different story. Some people think that there are a few small components under the CPU cover, so if the liquid metal glue sticks to it, it will cause short and damage. So, if you intend to remove the CPU cover and apply liquid metal thermal paste, you should be careful with CPUs with holes. To ensure safety, it is best to seek the help of a professional repairman to avoid possible unfortunate incidents.