What is the main purpose of thermal paste?

The main purpose of thermal paste is to improve heat conductivity between components, particularly between a CPU or GPU and its heatsink. When two surfaces come into contact, there can be tiny air gaps or imperfections on the surfaces that limit the transfer of heat. Thermal paste fills in these microscopic gaps, facilitating better thermal conductivity.

By enhancing the surface contact between these components, thermal paste helps to transfer heat away from the CPU or GPU efficiently, allowing them to operate at optimal temperatures. This is critical for maintaining performance and ensuring that the components do not overheat, which can lead to throttling or failure.

The other options, while related to component maintenance, do not accurately describe the primary role of thermal paste. It is not used for lubrication, adheres components together, or insulates electrical connections. Instead, its specific role in managing heat is what makes it a vital component in computer hardware assembly and maintenance.