What is thermal interface material (TIM)?

• A. A coating for external chassis.
• B. Paste or pad placed between CPU and heatsink to improve thermal conductivity.
• C. A special memory module.
• D. A type of cable.

Answer: (B)

Thermal interface material is the substance placed between a CPU (or other heat-generating component) and its heatsink to improve heat transfer. Surfaces aren’t perfectly flat, so tiny air gaps form that are poor conductors of heat. The TIM fills those gaps and creates a more efficient thermal path, typically as a paste or a soft pad that is compressed between the CPU and the heatsink. This lowers thermal resistance and helps keep the processor cooler. It’s not a coating for the chassis, not a memory module, and not a cable. Proper application matters—use an appropriate amount and spread it evenly to avoid excess paste that can spill over or too little that leaves gaps.