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    M17x Thermal pads

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by KillerBunny, Mar 24, 2011.

  1. KillerBunny

    KillerBunny Notebook Evangelist

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    Hi guys. I was just wondering, is it worth it to swap out the dell stock thermal pads? If so, can someone point me in the direction of somewhere to purchase premium thermal pads?

    Thanks guys!
     
    KillerBunny, Mar 24, 2011
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  2. MrButterBiscuits

    MrButterBiscuits ~Veritas Y Aequitas~

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    it's really up to you, personally I don't trust thermal pads to do the job. I did some product testing for IC Diamond and they gave me like 10 free samples. I have never used a better paste, and will continue using it. so you may want to check that out. Also OCZ freeze is a great product, there are a few other pastes that people might recommend as well. I just really don't think pads are all that great
     
    MrButterBiscuits, Mar 25, 2011
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  3. KillerBunny

    KillerBunny Notebook Evangelist

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    I dont plan on using pads on the gpu; I plan on repasting that with MX-4 soon after I get it. Cpu too probably. I was just wondering since I believe the system comes with thermal pads over the ram chips on the gpu or something like that.
     
    KillerBunny, Mar 25, 2011
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  4. its.kvn

    its.kvn Notebook Consultant

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    bump, I have similar question. I've bought the thermal paste mx 4, but I haven't purchased the thermal pads. Is it fine if I just repaste it but don't change the pads?
     
    its.kvn, Mar 28, 2011
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  5. inap

    inap .........................

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    inap, Mar 28, 2011
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  6. its.kvn

    its.kvn Notebook Consultant

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    i mean, do I really need to change the pads?or I can use the old pads?
     
    its.kvn, Mar 28, 2011
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  7. inap

    inap .........................

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    you don't need to, stock should still work fine. but new pads can gave better results. but if your getting good temps now then i wouldn't touch it.
     
    inap, Mar 28, 2011
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  8. its.kvn

    its.kvn Notebook Consultant

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    hmm okay..If I'm using arctic clean, can I drop it on the area surrounding the GPU core, or I ONLY allowed to drop it strictly on the GPU core?

    Please refer to the pic below..the area highlighted with yellow lines

    ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting
     
    its.kvn, Mar 28, 2011
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  9. MrButterBiscuits

    MrButterBiscuits ~Veritas Y Aequitas~

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    just the inner square, you only want the paste on the core
     
    MrButterBiscuits, Mar 28, 2011
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  10. its.kvn

    its.kvn Notebook Consultant

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    the inner square, you mean the yellow area in the picture right?
     
    its.kvn, Mar 28, 2011
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  11. MrButterBiscuits

    MrButterBiscuits ~Veritas Y Aequitas~

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    you have 2 yellow highlighted squares, mean just the inner square.
     
    MrButterBiscuits, Mar 28, 2011
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  12. its.kvn

    its.kvn Notebook Consultant

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    that is the picture of my GPU core, as you can see there is the old paste outside of the GPU core..Can I use arctic clean to clean it, or I shouldn't drop the arctic clean to that area?
     

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    its.kvn, Mar 28, 2011
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  13. MrButterBiscuits

    MrButterBiscuits ~Veritas Y Aequitas~

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    no you can use arctic clean, the old paste is bound to run over a tiny bit because they over apply it. Arctic clean is what I use as well, its alcohol based so dried very quick, just make sure you use a soft cloth and let the arctic clean sit for a little while. then lightly wipe it away
     
    MrButterBiscuits, Mar 28, 2011
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  14. its.kvn

    its.kvn Notebook Consultant

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    awesome, thank you for the answer..
     
    its.kvn, Mar 28, 2011
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  15. its.kvn

    its.kvn Notebook Consultant

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    Woot thank you so much Inap and MrButter, My temps drop from the average of 65 degree to 53 degree..+rep to both
     
    its.kvn, Mar 28, 2011
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  16. MrButterBiscuits

    MrButterBiscuits ~Veritas Y Aequitas~

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    Glad to hear it!!!! yea Thermal paste kicks the crap out of pads anyday, MX2 is great, OCZ, freeze and of course like I said IC diamond is great too. soon as my comp arrives I'm dropping in the new paste.
     
    MrButterBiscuits, Mar 28, 2011
    #16