First time using Thermal Paste

Is there a guide with images for applying thermal paste to GPUs?

I recently had my upgraded M15X back for a store after it had been given a full clean, HDD upgrade and the 5850 changed to a 7970. With the default fan settings it hit 85c after just a few mins of heavy gaming and shut off (FFXIV max everything full HD).

Using HWInfo64 to max out the fans i have got it to last about 20 mins but it is still running up to about 70c quickly then slowly creaping up.

The GPU is combined with a copper shim so that it sits well.

Is this a normal running temp as i know my 5850 went much higher? I am aware that the Dell 7970 cards send the shut down command at 85c. Is there a way to disable this or should it not be hitting anywhere near that?

I am quite happy to buy and apply the paste myself but this is something i have never done so i dont want to do it wrong.

My idle temp is 34c with the fans at 4000rpm.

 

I would ask you what kind of cool pad are you using under the m15x. I think is something main important for drecrease temps.
I always recommend one thing that could sound very "rustic" , but i think its the best cool base and very cheap lol.
I mean this:
Haha, yes its a "metalic pages stray" (or something like that in english, sorry ). I have been using this under my m15x since i bought the laptop in 2009, and always have got better results than any cool-pad i tested. Is perfect thanks to the size and hollows it has, and very solid (the fan's air moves out perfectly).
So if you could get one from an office or something, try with it.
You can find a lot of useful guides about spreading pastes in youtube if i remember well
Regards

 

Thanks, it is stood on 4 pieces of loo roll centre that pick it up about 20mm each corner. I also play on a table that is tiled with ceramic so that's usually nice and cold always.

I want to get a cooler master sf-19 however it costs a much to ship one of those as it does to buy one to the UK (only found ebay that would ship here).

Is this the best cooler for the 15? I have read that it is. I don't mind using one that is mains powered or noisier (to a point).

So is 85c a normal operating temp for the 7970? Does everyones card shut down at 85c hence all the cooling mod info?

 

That is way too hot. My 7970m doesn't go over 75 degrees. You need to remove the copper shim, remove the c-clip screws from the heatsink, buy some longer screws that fit the x-bracket and screw them tighter to apply more pressure to the chip/die. Then use good thermal paste (ICD7 or 24) and good thermal pads phobya 5w/k 1.0mm.

Then you need to get an undervolted vBIOS using the download pack from Tech Inferno or become a member there and download the vBIOS editor.

Undervolted card runs nice and cool even with an overclock from stock

 

Thanks, I have been reading through the posts on this in the forums. Undervolting seems easy enough. Bit wary of breaking something though.

Screws and paste wise, I want some the same size as the name plate ones? I will order some paste online. The shops in oxford have next to no stock.

Thanks for your continued help. I will report back!

 

This video could be pretty useful in your case.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3gx6c62D7I

 

Bought some ICD 7 today, should be here by the weekend. From reading this post: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-7970m-no-grinding-copper-shims-needed-5.html it seems that these screws ( M2 / 2mm A2 Stainless Steel Pozi Countersunk Machine Screws/Posi Csk Bolts | eBay ) would fit the bracket well? 2m x 4mm ones?

 

Thanks to all that helped with this. Through undervolting the card to 0.975v, removing the shim, cleaning it up and new paste I have a temp drop of around 25 degrees!

Just need to get my hands on a cooler master sf-19 and the package is complete (hard to source in the UK).

Completely different laptop from when I started