Repasting my M15x for the first time - help!

Okay. I have to bite the bullet here because my laptop is shutting down within 25 minutes of gameplay of even small games like Dungeon Defenders. It will reach temperatures of 99 degrees!

I have never opened my laptop other than to briefly clean the vents (which didn't help). I am going to attempt to repaste my CPU/GPU. Any hints? Any suggestions? I'm going to be using Inap's little picture guide, unless it is out of date or something? Which brand of paste should I use? Any words of warning? Worst case scenarios? Signs I should look for?

Anything here guys.

 

A combination of Inap's guide and your service manual will help with the disassembly and reassembly. As long as you have a good, clean work area and proceed carefully, it goes pretty well.

As for pastes - you will get lots of recommendations, including MX-4, AS-5 (apparently requires long curing for maximum benefit), etc. Here are a couple of links to extensive comparative tests:

Thermal Compound Roundup - February 2012 | Hardware Secrets

80-way Thermal Interface Material Performance Test | Thermal Interface Material,Thermal Paste,Heatsink Compound,80-Way Thermal Interface Material Best Thermal Paste Heatsink Compound Cooling Performance Comparison Benchmark Tests

HARDOCP - Introduction - Thermal Paste Shootout - Q209

There are lots of other tests out there - the Benchmark Reviews set seem well done. Note that there are quite a few pastes in the first couple of degrees, so there is clearly room for differnt opinions. I would pick one from the top group that you can get easily, and move forward.

Let us know if you need help. BTW, be sure to have another computer handy so you can read the guide.

Good luck,

Joe

 

Thank you very much for the comprehensive reply. A few things though:
1) What is 'long curing'?
2) Do the heatsinks just come right off, even with the thermal paste? I just grab it directly with my hands? Seems strange.
3) How long do I let these things dry before putting the computer back together?

Thank you for your time again.

 

Well I am using the Arctic Silver MX-4 and all you have to do is just a simple repaste as it there is no curing time and you can use it immediately. Yes, the heatsinks will come right off. After all, its just a thermal paste and it doesnt have the required strength to hold the heatsinks tightly.

Lastly, you put your computer back immediately once you have done the paste.

 

Sorry if I caused any confusion about the curing time. For all these pastes, you can use them immediately. Some have said that thermal performance of Arctic Silver reaches a maximum after 200 hours - I am not entirely convinced. Yes, the heatsinks come right off. Don't forget to put the thermal pads back. You can get new pads - but they seem to be reusable as well.

Be sure to clean the processor and heatsink before applying new paste. The stores sell cleaning solution - this seems to work - but you can also use alcohol.

Joe

 

@iGrendei you've been given great advice so far, I'll leave you the link to download the Service Manual of the M15x so you have a guide when you're disassembling the machine. It is recommended to use a wrist grounding strap and mat when working inside the computer to avoid electrostatic discharge damage and after removing any system component, place it on an anti-static mat. Hope that helps . BTW check out this article with good practices to avoid overheating.

 

So my thermal paste came in the mail today. Planning to do the 'surgery' this weekend. I don't have any of the anti-static components yet (mat or wrist band). I also don't have any regular piece of metal, are there any household objects that can substitute for the metal and the anti-static mat? Also, I found some Isopropyl Alcohol (cleaning alcohol for cuts and scrapes) will this work fine when cleaning the insides? I'm sorry if I'm asking goofy questions, I'm very paranoid and on a very low budget.