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    Dell XPS 15 Thermal Repaste

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by hello1357, Jul 23, 2011.

  1. hello1357

    hello1357 Notebook Guru

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    Does anyone have a picture step-by-step guide to opening the laptop and putting the paste in successfully?
    I know that there is a service manual by Dell, but it is a little short on pictures.
    It also seems to involve a lot of prying of fragile materials.

    There is a guide out there on this forum, but it no longer has the pictures.
    This is for the Dell XPS 15 L501X (not sure if the chasis is the exact same for the L502X).

    Also, does the GPU for the XPS 15 have a thermal pad?
    Assuming there is a thermal pad, how would I apply thermal paste such as Arctic Silver 5 to my GPU?
     
    hello1357, Jul 23, 2011
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  2. kizh

    kizh Notebook Consultant

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    Don't know of any other guides. Its not too difficult to tear down by the documentation. Most screws are the same size, a few are different. Its marked on the body what screw it takes. I would still try to keep them separated with a first in last out plan, grouping the similar ones together so you don't end up with extra or less screws at the end.

    In my opinion, I would leave the thermal pads on the GPU memory intact, and just repaste the CPU/GPU. I don't think the memory gets stressed nearly as much and the pads are thicker than a paste would offer.
     
    kizh, Jul 23, 2011
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  3. hello1357

    hello1357 Notebook Guru

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    It is my first time doing a laptop thermal repaste so I want to know all that I can before I do this.

    I know that I should only put thermal paste on the silver square of the CPU and GPU. I am going to use AS5 and the instructions from them say to use a spread method. However, I have seen many videos and read many forum posts and articles about how this method leaves air bubbles. It has been suggested I use a dot method instead? Anyone who has done this care to enlighten me?
     
    hello1357, Jul 24, 2011
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  4. Villosa

    Villosa Notebook Deity

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    It's best not to use AS5 since the GPU and CPU have exposed dies and AS5 is conductive. I personally use a small ball (depending on the die size, anywhere from a balled up cooked rice to a small pea) in the middle of the die.

    I will be making a guide later this week if you want to wait. I will be breaking down and doing all the repasting etc.
     
    Villosa, Jul 24, 2011
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  5. hello1357

    hello1357 Notebook Guru

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    @villosa

    I eagerly await your guide. If you can, include any pictures!
    I am also a little wary of opening my laptop. If you can include any portions where you feel a newer user would have to be extra careful!
    Thanks!
     
    hello1357, Jul 25, 2011
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  6. Villosa

    Villosa Notebook Deity

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    Sure thing, it'll be a very detailed guide and will be paired with my own pictures as well as ones from the Service Manual.
     
    Villosa, Jul 25, 2011
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  7. hizzaah

    hizzaah Notebook Virtuoso

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    hows your repaste guide coming?
     
    hizzaah, Jul 30, 2011
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  8. hello1357

    hello1357 Notebook Guru

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    Hey,

    Just wondering if you know when you'd have the time to repaste that XPS 15. I'd like to learn from the pros =D
     
    hello1357, Jul 30, 2011
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