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    Recommended thermal compound for SXPS 16?

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by wlepse, May 9, 2009.

  1. wlepse

    wlepse Notebook Consultant

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    I have been reading a bunch of threads on decreasing temps and I am now thinking about changing the thermal compound that the machine shipped with. I had originally seen a lot of people recommending Arctic Silver but I was not sure which one so I started to llok for more info and am now thoroughly confused. From what I have read some are designed for a more permanent mounting which I do not want since I may want to change the CPU in the future. Also it seems some work better than others in certain applications which I don't understand. To me all it is doing is transferring heat so what it is transferring heat from shouldn't matter. But since it does seem to have some effect what has worked well for other SXPS 16 users.

    So from what I have read I am leaning towards ICD7, OCZ Freeze and AC MX-2. Any input would be appreciated since I am not real excited about doing this to begin with so I would rather only do it once. Also I have not done this much so if one is dumb easy but gives good results it is likely a good candidate for me.
     
    wlepse, May 9, 2009
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  2. Fragilexx

    Fragilexx Get'cha head in the game

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    Why do it at all? Are your temps dangerously high?
     
    Fragilexx, May 9, 2009
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  3. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Just get the cheapest of those options. The difference is negligible (<3 deg C, within margin of error) between the best and worst of those thermal compounds.
     
    sgogeta4, May 9, 2009
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  4. elijahRW

    elijahRW Notebook Deity

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    I replaced the thermal compound in my SXPS 13 with the MX-2 immedietly when I received my SXPS from dell.
    I didn't get any before and after temps but I know it helped somewhat because a'lot of people complain about their SXPS 13 over heating but I have no heat issues at all ;)
    The MX-2 or AS5 will suit you well.
     
    elijahRW, May 9, 2009
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  5. weirdo81622

    weirdo81622 Notebook Evangelist

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    It's going to matter less what thermal compound you have than how well you put it on. Use MX-2 or AS5, but concentrate on putting it on properly. I've found that depending on the application - how well it is put on, there can be a variation of +/- 5C, which negates any advantage from using a better thermal compound.
     
    weirdo81622, May 9, 2009
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  6. wlepse

    wlepse Notebook Consultant

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    Temps are not high but lower is always better. I will also be using this machine for SolidWorks from time to time so there is a good chance there will be high CPU loads.

    I guess this is a concern of mine and part of the reason I was looking at the ICD7 since it looks like it is a much easier installation and more tolerant of lack luster skills.
     
    wlepse, May 9, 2009
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  7. Cazca

    Cazca Notebook Consultant

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    I just replaced mine with AS5 and I did do before and after. Now this is with mild undervolting on both before and after temps, but I did notice a 1-2 degree difference. Not much... but whatever helps I guess, cause these laptops (Studio XPS 16) run HOT.
     
    Cazca, May 9, 2009
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