Applying new Thermal Paste/Pads on M17x R2

Hey people,

I have been following The Moo's guide on this I just have a query regarding a few things.

Once I can see the cpu I notice that around the die there is plastic film im guessing to protect thermal paste going all over it..are these needed?

Thanks

Mikoyan

 

Noone..I know some people who have re-applied paste/pads someone must know! :I

 

If it's not touching the CPU crystal - don't worry about it. I'd leave it the way it is for warranty purposes. What CPU do you have? My 520M didn't have any such films. The MCP chip back in the R1 did.

 

Thanks Aikimox, its the I7 720..its just around the actual die like a red transparent film..

On another note am I correct in saying I apply paste on the CPU/GPU Die and thermal pads on the rest?

 

DO not remove the film, it makes no difference.
You apply the paste on the die.
There is no need to change the pads.

 

I remove the film only because the paste gets underneath it making it pointless. Just don't use conductive paste.

 

I saw some paste under the film and thought it was glue or something, so i just left it as it was. What do you mean by conductive paste?

 

This.

electrically capacitive or conductive. About 10 years ago all Copper and Silver pastes were all the rage, but they had higher than normal conductive properties, which means that you could not apply it near any sort of pins or transistors. Unless you have some of that lying around, you're safe. Today, the closest would be AS5, but it's only capacitive, and very minutely at that. Unless you're intentionally globing it on transistors and pins though, you're safe in nearly any case.

 

Going to be using IC Diamond..ive also brought some pads.

What a mission opening it but heck it was worth it (lets hope it switches back on once ive finished!)

 

Whatever you do. Do *not* remove the PM55 Heatsink, the pad it has is thicker than normal. It never gets hot enough to be worth changing the pad anyway in my experience.

 

^ already done this doh! ive got various pads of different depth so I 'should' be ok. :/

edit: Mandrake did you replace pads on all? i.e. chipset and gpu heatsinks? if so any idea what dimensions best for chipset and gpu sinks?

I have 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mm

 

it's approximately 2-3mm in thickness. I'd apply and check that contact is being made before you put her back together. If absolutely necessary you *can* apply paste but you really have to put a lot on there.

1mm on the GPU and CPU. May I inquire as to why you're using pads? With paste you're almost guaranteed to have a higher thermal conductive ratting, but the pads you're using may have lower performance than the OE pads on there.

 

Thanks a lot Lozz ill think I have various types I went on a proper shopping spree on pads..yep was thinking connect it and then take off again to see if the die has 'moulded' the pads.

 

I replaced everything on mine, 1.5 is a bit too thick. .5 and 1 would work. I also have different dimension pads and it's hard to see the difference. The .5 is more flimsy and is what Dell uses.

 

is this any good?
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9434/thr-65/EK_Thermal_Pad_Sheet_-_160mm_x_155mm_x_05mm.html?tl=g8c127s255

for memory chips on video cards or should I get these?

Koolance VID Cooler Thermal Padding - 2 Sheets 1.0mm & 0.5mm Thick - 110mm x 110mm ( ACC-VID001 ) - FrozenCPU.com

 

Does anyone know, if I've applied thermal paste on my cpu but then want to return the system, would the fact that I've added thermal paste affect that return?

 

not sure what the specifications for thickness are, however they're definitely not .5mm, that's approx the thickness of the stuff on the cpu/gpus. You need what's called a thermal gap pad. Those two links are for processor/gpu core applications and colder temps that what the ram sees. I'm thinking you'll need 2-3mm, however I would measure the stock pads before ordering to be sure. This is what you need for the ram

 

It would be great if someone could start a thread with a small guide on changing pads and paste and comparing before and after temps.

 

You will see just that from me next week I know as5 is a bit superior to the Dell Tim. can't comment on the pads they use. all I can say is the pad I will be using are 5.0 w/m-k bergquist 5000s35 gap pads. I'll throw up the required thickness too. mabye even make it a HD video? the other thing I wanted to do was some light lapping since the last time I removed the heatsinks they looked a bit rough.