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    Inspiron 1520 Thermal Pad

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by ryang1, Sep 1, 2008.

  1. ryang1

    ryang1 Newbie

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    Recently i was planning on getting an XPS m1530, but decided against it and just upgraded the CPU and video card in my 1520 to a C2D t8300 2.4ghz and an 8600GT. I dont remember the temps i had before with the intel dual core and the 8400GS but since installing the new upgraded items the bottom of the laptop is considerably warmer. I expected this and understand that the components are of higher speed and generate more heat, and in fact its not really hot, its just warm to the touch.

    My concern is not the added heat from the new items but rather the focal point of the heat on the bottom of the laptop where the northbridge is at (or memory controller it doesnt say on the chip.)

    I removed the cpu thermal pad and replaced it with Arctic Silver 5 and my cpu idle temps on battery are about 28c-30C and 36-40C under load. From what ive read for a C2D T8300, this is really decent. The gpu heat pipe i cleaned with alcohol and the idle temp is about 42c and around 53C under load which also seems decent for an 8600GT.

    No idling the chipset sits at around 42C and spikes to around 61C under load and my concern is that the original thermal pad that is on the heatsink may not be functioning properly. (but it could be my imagination and me just worrying too much that i messed something up)

    I cleaned the top of the chipset with alcohol and cleaned off any sticky residue from it but reused the thermal pad. Ive read that if you change the cpu you need to change the thermal pad but would that affect the chipset as well from removing it and re-seating the thermal assembly after installing the new CPU?

    Im assuming the extra heat is because the FSB on the other chipset was only 533mhz and the new proc is 800mhz so its just a result in the higher speed between the chipset and the proc.


    Other than my (probably for nothing) concerns about the chipset temps, the upgrade went well and dell stated they would cover my video card upgrade would be covered under my extended warranty since it was bought through them.

    Any thoughts from fellow 1520 owners?

    Thanks,
    Ryan
     
    ryang1, Sep 1, 2008
    #1