Bad thermal paste is one of the most common reasons for Xbox overheating and the red ring of death. This can happen if the paste is applied incorrectly during the manufacture of the console. Bad pasta can also result from exposure to heat for prolonged periods. As the paste slowly breaks down, you will start to experience an overheating problem that gradually worsens over time. If the paste fails quickly, this will cause an almost instantaneous double red light error within seconds of turning on your Xbox.
Whether you should try to replace the thermal paste on your own depends on whether or not you want to use your warranty. If you’ve never opened your console before, then using your warranty to have Microsoft fix the problem is your best option. Just remember that once you open the console, your warranty will be void.
It always helps when you understand why you are doing something, so a bit of theory will be discussed. The thermal paste acts as a bridge that allows heat to move through the contact area between the heat sink and the CPU or GPU. When the paste breaks, it acts as a heat barrier rather than a bridge. This means that the heatsink will not be able to do its job of drawing heat out of the GPU.
When applying thermal paste, try the following tips:
1.) After removing the heat sink from the motherboard, always wipe off the old paste. Applying new paste on top of the old one does nothing because the old paste will still block proper heat transfer. Old paste can be removed by applying rubbing alcohol with a clean cloth. The surface should be shiny when finished. Remember to clean both the heat sink and the CPU or GPU. There is no point in cleaning just one of the two contact surfaces. After cleaning, never touch the surfaces with your fingers as this will leave oil in the form of a fingerprint.
2.) Always apply the paste in a thin layer. The thinner it is, the better it will work. Just make sure the entire surface is covered. You’ll know when you can’t see any of the shiny metal. A good rule of thumb is to apply some bowling ball-sized paste.
3.) By covering your fingertip with a small plastic bag, you can use your finger to apply the paste without leaving any oils on your skin. This also gives you more control than trying to do this with a stick.
4.) Arctic Silver 5, a high quality thermal paste, is recommended.
5.) Before opening the console, disconnect it from its power source. Keep all liquids out of the work area and never work on a carpet. Carpets can cause static electricity that will damage motherboard components.