Chastity's Thoughts on Repasting (Read Here First)

It's been 4 months since I've repasted my G73JH, which is how old my lappy was when it started to have thermal issues. Actually it was 3 months, and I lived with it for a month before actually fixing it.

From reading this forum during the last four months, I've gotten quite a bit of feedback on people's various repastes, with different levels of success, and a few failures resulting in RMA's. Most involving the damn keyboard removal. So I decided to write up a summary of what we've learned, so people can read this first and then ask questions if they are not answered here.

On Temperatures

This section addresses these questions:

"Are my temps good, or do I need to repaste?"
"When should I consider a repaste?"
"Asus says that the chip is designed to operate up to 114C, so my 102C load temp is ok, right?"
"My laptop is idling at 62C. Is this OK?"

According to AMD, the 5870M can operate safely up to 114C before requiring a thermal shutdown, and our BIOS is designed to do just that. However, I believe that we should operate well below this to allow for headroom. And Asus knows this as well, since new G73's operate at about 80-85C on load, and about 54C idle. Unfortunately, the thermal paste they use, and sometimes a loose mounting screw for the heatsink makes this worse, will dry out over the course of 1-3 months. During this period, you will see a slow rise in operating temperatures. Dust accumulation and smoking will help clog the heat vents making this a faster transition.

Then you will see people with idle temps in the 60-70C range, and load temps at 100C+. Despite the official statement about 114C, this is not a good scenario. Why? Because your heatsink and cooling system is operating subpar to what it is capable of, and it will only get worse if allowed to continue.

So as a guideline, I suggest the warning temps should be:

64C+ idle temps
98C+ load temps

If you are seeing temps in this neighborhood or higher, you are due for a repaste of the GPU.

Since I haven't done a Furmark in awhile, I did a 1 hour run:

1-hr Furmark Run

As you can see:

1) The vBIOS is updated to the current beta.
2) Operating temps are still quite low, even 4 months later. Ambient temps are reported at 23C. She's currently idling at 49C.
3) On 211, the fan ramps up when she hits 77C on core, and turns down at 76, which is why she hovers at this point.

After repasting with ICD7 four months ago, I've had no degradation of thermal cooling performance. This is what our G73 cooling system is capable of, so why should you settle for subpar performance?

On Thermal Pastes

"Which thermal paste is best?"
"What should I repaste with?"

There are many on the market, and every forum has their favorites. But we should consider what physical properties would most benefit our G73's. Since our heatsinks' contact surface is not the greatest, and the potential for a loose mount screw exists, we should consider using a paste with a higher viscosity. (thicker and heavier vs light and thin)

Why? A thicker grease will be more forgiving when surfaces aren't 100% flat and operate better should the mounts loosen slightly. In my opinion, Arctic Silver 5 is too low in viscosity for our purposes. When I repasted, I had 2 tubes of AS5 on hand, and I still went out and bought a tube of ICD7, because of that very same reason. And seeing how complicated opening up our chassis is, I didn't want to have to do it again.

So along these lines, here's a short list of various pastes I would recommend in no particular order:

1) IC Diamond 7
2) Arctic MX-2
3) OCZ Freeze

I recommend using the small pea-sized drop method, since that should minimize air capture, and insures the center of the chip is properly coated. Pastes like ICD7 still work optimally if you put too much, as the excess will just pour over the edges. They are also non-conductive.

On Doing The Repaste

"Should I do it myself, or should I have a tech do it?"
"Where can I get my service done?"

Only you can answer this question whether to do it yourself. It takes about 2-3 hours following the BTOTech Disassembly video. If you take your time, and be gentle, you can succeed. (I did!) I recommend using an edge to take the tape off from the back of the keyboard, like maybe a small ice scraper.

If you are not comfortable doing the disassembly, then either get a friend who is better at it, or hire a tech. Asus lists their ASP Partners for doing warranty service, so they should be able to do the job. You may even get it done for free if you can get Asus to give you a RMA #. This is best since you do not need mail it to Asus and wait a month, plus you can specify what paste you want used, and can inspect it before taking it home.

On Maintenance

If you notice your fans are working harder than usual, check the outtake vents on the back, and make sure they aren't getting clogged with dust and cigarette ashes. You can blow them out with compressed air as a quick fix, tho the best way to clean them out is to lift off the top of the casing and keyboard. Don't use a vacuum unless it's meant to be used on a PC. Household units can create static charges, which are bad for laptops.

Also, a laptop cooler is not needed if your G73 is cooling properly. My 1-hr run listed above used no laptop cooler, and the underside was not opened.

"Will repasting void my warranty with Asus?"

The byline is it doesn't as long as you do not break anything. Technically, opening the case voids the warranty, however, if they can't prove it, then it never happened. Feedback from Asus conflict on the matter.

If you are worried about the warranty, then have it done professionally, and keep your receipt.

I hope this guide helps you make an informed decision about maintaining a properly cooled G73.

- Chastity

 

Sweet, thank you very much Chastity for your thoughts and what is effectively a priming guide on whether to re-do paste or not.

 

I dont think an idle temp at stock clocks of 62c should be considered a warning temp at all. That's going to scare a lot of people i would think. I have recently had my laptop repasted with IC7, and even though it never goes above 87C at load, it often idles around 60-61, especially this time of year.

I think 62 is a little low to raise eyebrows.

 

I put it at 62 since most people notice their idle temps more often than load, and I'm trying to get people to be aware of their conditions. Using you as an example, you went ahead and made sure your load temps are fine. These are only guidelines designed to raise awareness.

I would say load temps are more important than idle temps, so for example, if you get 101C load and 58C idle, you should still repaste.

 

In addition to the benefits of repasting, the G73 really does require a disassembly for a thorough cleaning of the cooling system. The first time is tough, but once you've done it you won't even flinch at the prospect of taking things apart just to clean em up every 6 months.

 

The first disassembly was rough, i followed the BTO guide but the keyboard part was a pain in the *** to figure out, after the first time it get exponentially easier.

The most tricky part it the keyboard, patience is the key word . Good Guide!

 

I don't quite agree on that... 6 months is a little to much for cleaning the vents, I would say cleaning the vents at least once every 2 months, but ideally at once a month.

 

I haven't found it necessary to clean out my vents, but then again I do not smoke, and my fans do not ramp up much. I would say checking the air vents physically on the back once a month, and making a value judgment based on what one finds.

 

Thanks for the repaste update, Chastity. I've been debating whether to do it and have really come to the conclusion that I really ought to risk the keyboard damage and just get it done. Just the long-term implications of controlled heat accumulation should be enough to convince anyone with PC experience. I'll wait until I get my replacement screen in, though, as my screen is currently out of the case.... ;-)

(I'd only worry about disassembly to reclean the vents if I ran a load heat test and found it to be high, or if the fan sounded like it was ramping up more heavily on applications that I frequently run and thereby know how hard the fan should be working... and also if the vent is looking clogged.)

 

Chastity, I think that you should insert Gelid GC Extreme themal paste into your list. Here is my results
Recently I recieved Gelid GC Extreme syringe. I tried it on my GPU

[/URL]

Application method is the same as ICD. Little ball in the center of GPU.
Results are the same as with ICD 24. Idle at 21C 47C-48C on hottest sensor. Managed to lower my MemIO temps. Actually it's now 1C lower that DispIO at idle.
Furmark at 24C is 81C max at all sensors. Hope this info will be useful for those who can't find ICD in his country.
Will post another update in a week. (Hope temps will be lower as paste will settle down)
Good luck.
Tim

 

Does repasting void the ASUS Warranty?

 

I should add that to the OP.... the byline is it doesn't as long as you do not break anything. Technically, opening the case voids the warranty, however, if they can't prove it, then it never happened.

If you are worried about the warranty, then have it done professionally, and keep your receipt.

 

I've read their terms of service and it's at their discretion to decide if the warranty was broken or not, from a legal perspective it's hard for you to prove that you never voided the warranty, but I am sure that they aren't going to be about it, because bad publicity is a lot worse than one voided laptop, especially since it's their fault people have to repaste it, anyway have you ever been as far as decided to look more like Chastity?

 

hmmm...im really shocked here im using the 10.11 driver and just repaste to a new paste the chill factor 3...and i get this results...

pls need explaination...the hwinfo and the furmark temps seems to not match and the everest(not shown) is showing what the furmark graph temps showing.the gpu-z is showing the same as hwinfo...so which one is my temps..

yes its cold now here in beijing around 1c-3c now room temp around 18c-20c.

here u go..

 

they all are, GPU-Z monitors 3 sensors, furmark only one

 

Does resolution in furmark has any influence on temperature result ? you have 1280 x1024

 

nope it does not have any differences even in full hd..as long as the gpu goes up to 99%++.

 

There was a change in the way the drivers report temps in recent AMD releases. Currently the universal GPU Diode reading is now TSS0 (core). It used to be whatever was highest from TSS0-2, usually being TSS1 (MemIO).

Also, -keph-, please do not post screen images that are reduced. Rather link to fullscale images. I have a hard time reading your pics that are shrunk to fit the 500 x 500 limit. You can use the system to imbed thumbnails with fullsize images.

 

opps sorry chastity...here u go..btw which one is my real temps then??the temps that people are talking off..normally i just take the highest one..

http://tinypic.com/r/1zf04xv/7

 

Furmark reports TSS0, aka the default temp reported by drivers. You haven't grasped the idea that you have 3 temps, and not one.

 

no i get it thx..im just wondering which are the temps people are arguing about TS0,TS1 or TS3 or the thermal diode cuz normally i choose the highest temps shown..and since driver 10.11 the temps are really wired seems around 3c-5c cooler than before or my room is getting colder hahha..cheers..

 

It's not weird, TSS0 usually runs cooler than TSS1, and since they changed the way you see the temps, you're likely to notice a temp drop, even tho nothing really changed.

TSS0 = Core GPU temps
TSS1 = MemIO temps
TSS2 = Shader temps

The drivers would normally report teh hottest temp, which was MemIO, but since 10.10 I believe they switched it to Core, so the results look different in apps like Furmark.

 

aaa..thx Chastity...

 

next run check xtreme burning mode and post fx and see what you get.

 

here u go still got the same..

http://i54.tinypic.com/255nqs4.png

 

Nice temps all around, you got some seriously cold air going into your laptop. Your hard drive temps didn't move at all during your run. I'm already sitting at 37C on startup.

 

hahha thx..yep my room is quit cold here around 18c-20c everytime..im in beijing its -6c now..room temp showing 17.3c

 

Does the G53JW-A3/A1 need a repaste with IC Diamond? I heard that it receives the same temps either way. The IC Diamond will probably last longer though right? I don't have the stats to back it up though.

 

You should only repaste if your temps are getting exceedingly high.

 

This is true of any laptop..... I just wish I had done it on a few of mine they would have lasted longer!

 

It's getting hot in Australia.

My G73 temps are starting to make me worry, as the load temps are going up slowly. Now, max load on BC2 is 84C, as opposed to 2 months ago, where i first got it, 78C. Ambience temps is probably 28C or so, as my room is stuffy and hot, even though outside is cool.

Idle still the same. 55 to 56C.

I think i might need a repaste about 3 months from now.

The G73 cooling design is actually very good,as it takes like minutes to cool down from max temp to idle temps, compared to my old M1530, but why did Asus keep using rubbish pasting really bothers me.

 

The increase in temps and humidity could cause that increase. I wouldn't fret over 84C at this point.

 

I've had a consistent 89 for awhile now at load, no matter WHAT the ambient temp is - 20C to 29C, it still hits 89 and sits there.

 

that's odd. What temp is TSS0 hitting, and does the fan's rpm's kick up at that point?

 

I'm so glad I purchased that Best Buy warranty. If I ever need to do a repaste, I'll just bring it down to BB and exchange for a new one. I'm not very proficient at computer maintenance...

 

That may not fix your problem, and you can only swap once. Better to have a tech just repaste it who has a clue.

 

I got mine back from RMA Wednesday. They had to replace the Mobo so my ICD7 is gone. On the bright side, the temperatures have been just as good as what I was getting before. Idling in the low 50s and running mid 80s when it is pushed.

Hopefully the past won't degrade over time forcing me to tear it down again and repaste.

 

I´m considering a re-paste now, or possibly later, I dunno, but the following worries me:

The keyboard is glued, and there are numerous obstacles when I read the advise.

Many things can go wrong, but actually my biggest concern is the condition of the laptop when re-assembled.

Will it be all loose and wobbly?

Hope you understand my point, especially with the keyboard, do I put glue on that again?

 

What do you think about these temps?

Sensor Properties:
Sensor Type CPU, HDD, Asus NB ACPI, PCH
GPU Sensor Type Diode (NV-Diode)

Temperatures:
CPU 56 °C (133 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #1 58 °C (136 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #2 57 °C (135 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #3 59 °C (138 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #4 58 °C (136 °F)
PCH 67 °C (153 °F)
GPU Diode 47 °C (117 °F)
SAMSUNG 470 Series SSD 36 °C (97 °F)
Seagate ST9750420AS 38 °C (100 °F)


How much would I benefit by doing a repaste?

 

TSS0 ranges between 75-80, and when I say it's "stuck" at 89, it doesn't get to 89 and stop - it just tends to max out at that, and I get fluxuations based on what's being processed.

Regardless of ambient temps, it always eventually hits 89 under full load.

 

I'd open her up and repaste, if just to also do a proper blow-out of the fans too.

 

According to HWMonitor Pro, my idle temp (GPU) is 41C and under load (playing F.E.A.R. 2 on max settings) it never gets above 64C. This is at a room temperature of 22C (68F).

Maybe they're using a better paste now? My G73JH is only a week out of the box. I only game for a couple hours a day so maybe I won't need to repaste for quite a while? Mine is the BB model with the 1600x900 screen. Perhaps fewer pixels to move around doesn't tax the GPU as much and results in lower temps.

 

Or your one of the lucky ones lol I had my G73JH "repasted" recently by the asus techs and my temps barely decreased...even while underclocked to 100/150 and undervolted to .85 I still idle between 46C-50C and under load go into the mid-low 80's :/

Something is wrong with my microphone now, so ive been considering opening her up, and repasting while im at it.

 

The microphone problem probably has to do with drivers or settings. I've seen other posts about mic problems in the main G73JH thread.... owner's lounge, I think. But it also could be that the Asus techs broke that fragile audio connector when they repasted. I thought that was only for the speakers but it could handle the mic too.

As to temps, yes, you might want to repaste with IC Diamond if your temps get much higher.

If I ever need to, I'll use the guide posted Here.

 

Damn. Furmark only used to get to 92-93, now it's hitting 100, and my ambients are lower. Whoever said that the asus paste was garbage and degrades was correct.

*SIGH*

Not sure I want to repaste, but I'm not sure I can skip it either....

 

Today I repasted my Notebook and I'm happy i've done it.

Before, my temps were about 75°C (idle) and 105°C till restart on load.

Now, i have 40°C (idle) and about 80°C on load.

i used a no name paste where i had positive experience on pc-gpus. it is good, and much cheaper^^ and based on silver (it also looked like artic silver)

It was a bit tricky to disassemble, but with a lot of time it worked good. i have 3 screws left after reassembling, but nothing is on loose. if i have to rma it, i will put them in^^

the g73jh is a good notebook, but im a bit gutted asus used bad paste on a gamers-notebook and didnt have a good vbios on buying-time (i have to add it later like many other here, thanks to gary and chastity btw^^), but a non-technican will be screwed with this notebook^^

sorry for my english, its not my native language

 

That's why we come here. Most of us are "techs" up to a certain point... then we need some guidance. I'm very glad this forum is here or I would never attempt the disassembly required for a repasting. But thanks to others sharing their experience with instructions, pics and videos, I feel confident that I can do it when it's needed (hopefully not for a long time).

 

Well, you'll have to do it eventually as the paste dies - you might as well do it when you've got time.

I'm still not 100% I'm going to do mine, I *do* want to keep the warranty intact ...

 

You can have it done at a local ASP and keep your warranty.

 

Seeing all the paste dying makes me wonder when mine will die one me. I'm still only hitting 57C max CPU and 75C max GPU.