Studio 1557 copper shim dimensions/thickness

Glad to see this is really helping alot of people here.


techifan you rock!

 

Well, after trying to encode video and getting nothing but shutdowns due to overheating, I have decided to order the copper shims and Shin-Etsu G751.

 

Well, I tried installed the copper shims and paste last night, and tested this morning and there was no difference in temperature. Testing with AIDA64 resulted in overheating and crash.

I'm going to try again with ICD7. For the paste and copper shim, should I put the copper on immediately, and should I push the copper down on the paste?

 

apply paste to gpu heatsink contact area
press copper shim on
Apply paste directly to gpu core its self
apply paste to cpu core
install heatsink

This is how I have done it and it works fine for me

 

Are you shimming the CPU too?

 

just video ram and gpu using the shim dimensions from techifan1

Right now idle temps are
CPU 58C
core 1 64C
core 2 64C
core 3 65C
core 4 65C

 

Whats the ambient temp in the room?

 

22 C room temp

 

For the GPU, yes, then put ICD7 on the copper (square) so there is paste between the copper and the heatsink.

The longer copper strip (rectangular) for the (2) VRAM chips should rest on the heat pads without any paste. Instead, apply paste to the heatsink and push the copper strip down on it so it will stick to the heatsink. Then, the copper will rest nice and flush with the thermal pads on the VRAM chips.

My temps dropped roughly 8-10C and remain stable at 70-72C when stressed. ICD7 makes a huge difference. I am going to paste the CPU tonight or tomorrow perhaps too.

Idle temps:

Core 0-46
Core 1-46
Core 2-46
Core 3-46

Room 22C

 

Both Shims are sold as a kit now on ebay
Copper Shim Heat Sink Mod 25 x 10 x 0.7mm,10 x 10 x 0.9 on eBay (end time 03-May-11 11:24:44 BST)


Does anyone have any pics of how much thermal compound they used , I am crap at installing it and I dont want to have to take the laptop apart again! lol


anyone with an idiots guide to putting the correct amount of compound on the CPU . GPU .GPU MEM . Chipset would be great

 

What ever compound you use should have directions because not all are applied the same.

If its a name brand AS5,ICD etc... go to there web site they have tutorials.

If you want to post the brand here I can look it up for you.

 

Im going to be using IC Dimond compound due to the review on here I'm just unsure how much amount to use being the CPU are smaller than desktops. Also do I use the thermal pad with the shim or do I remove and put compound on the mem chips themselfs ?

 

Yes you can use the thermal pads with the shims on the memory chips.

With ICD you just run a single bead about 1/8 inch wide/thick long ways across the cpu core and a single dab about the size of a BB on the gpu core and between the shims

Atleast with the ICD its not conductive so if some spreads past the core and gets on the cpu/gpu dont worry it wont hurt nothing.

But for the record its rather hard to deal with IMO.

 

Thanks very much for the advice I have just suddenly thought the shim kit bought will the size be ok for my 1558 with the 5470 video chip as I forgot to check if it's the same size as the 1557 4570 video chip

 

Your good.Its the same

 

cheers for all your help I will post how I get on over the weekend

 

Just bought the copper shims and ICD7 thermal paste but I'm not exactly sure on how to carry on the mod. Anyone care to help me out?

 

Just to update ,

I have fitted the shims with the ICD compound and I can confirm the following

GPU used to idel at 50c now Idles at 44c

Im not sure on the CPU as I fitted a I5-540M at the same time but if any one can confirm there idle temps mine are

Core 1 = 44
Core 2 = 37

fan still cuts in often but I can live with it .

 

Please take some time to read through this thread as you will find lots of information with hopefully helpful contributions from myself, OneCool and others.

 

Temps look good,
After carrying out the mod successfully you should find that the GPU/CPU temperatures should reduce with the GPU reducing the most. This is because in the case of the GPU you are replacing an inefficient thermal pad for a much more efficient copper shim solution.

 

Thanks I am pleased with the results . cheers for the advice and walkthoughs




btw what are your cpu and gpu temps ?

 

Have read the whole thread at least three times. I'm gonna go my mod tomorrow hopefully everything goes well. I really hate it when my notebook overheats and when I connect the charger it crashes...

 

Finished the mod yesterday temp decrease around 5 degrees. I'm gonna repeat it tomorrow because I put small amount of ICD7 so I'm gonna put more.

 

Hey Guys, my Dell also overheats, i have already bought ICD7 and the Cobber-shims from Ebay.. But im just not sure about how to put it together. I know how i tread the thermal compound. But how am i supposed to install the cobber-shims.

Are the cobber-shims ment to be placed between GPU/CPU and the heatsink? And where is supposed to put the thermal compund..???

Best Regards
Mr.Izy

 

I bought this kit from Ebay, is that for GPU, CPU and Vram, or what is the pieces for ?

 

Hi guys very good info, my lappy is starting to hit high 90C under load so I think it is time to put those shims on.

Any ideas where can you get the copper shims? The one on ebay is closed.
As I understand you need the thermal paste plus 2 copper shims
1 for the GPU 10x10x0.9mm
1 for video chip 25x25x0.7mm

Anything I am missing?

 

Can someone dumb this down for me? I know computers...better with desktops... what exactly am i doing while coppermodding this? just removing the gpu heatsinks (if it has them?) and putting a sheet of copper on it (with paste in between)? im confooooosed. pics or a thurough explanation would help.

 

see post #33

 

Just search on ebay thats where I found them . also the link I posted on the previous page although it has ended it says on there to email him direct if you require anything


so I would just email him and say you would like to buy one of the kits and that will no doubt prompt him to re do the ebay add or something

 

Thanks mate!

I am hoping if there is a supplier in US for this it will be much faster to get it but if not I may give it a try.

 

techifan1,
I found a seller who can do 0.75 and 1mm thicknes.
Will this work or too thick?

 

The recommended thickness for the GPU copper shim is 0.9mm and 0.7mm for the video ram cooling copper shim. See post 22 and 28 for explanation.
However, you may get away with using a 1mm copper shim for the GPU but you risk damaging the GPU by applying to much down pressure onto the surface of the GPU die when the heatsink is fully screwed down. The springs are important in providing a controlled downward pressure onto the GPU die, therefore if you do decide to use a 1mm shim for the GPU make sure that the springs do not fully compress when you screw down the heat sink.

 

OK thanks, I my wait as it seems 0.1mm may be too tight for GPU.

Since the ebay guy has 0.75 mm should I get that insteaad for GPU, is it a better then using 1mm?
I guess if I use 0.75mm thick for GPU then I should use maybe 0.5m for video ram as the gap will not be as much?

So which is the better choice?
0.75mm for GPU
0.5mm for Video RAM

or

1mm for GPU
0.75mm for Video RAM

 

The 1mm for GPU and 0.75mm for video ram would be the better option.
If you use a 0.75mm shim for the GPU it may be to thin for the mod to work efficiently.
BTW, did you email the seller on ebay as scaper28 suggested in his post 80 and if so is he saying that he is no longer able to supply the correct size shims.
If this is the case I will contact him to find out why as the kits have proved to be very popular.

 

Thx, just did the search and find it. A little steep price with shipping close to $30.
Copper Shim 1 10mm x 10mm x 0.9mm ,2 25mm x 10mm x 0.7 | eBay
I guess I will go with it.
Btw, did you use the shinny end of the shim towards the GPU or the slightly rougher side? Did you also apply some ICD between the shim and the heat sink as well?
How long does it take 3-4 hours total.

 

You'll need to put thermal compound between the copper shims & the heatsink. It will provide thermal conductivity between the cooper shims & the heatsink & also act as a glue to keep the copper shims in place. If you're using IC Diamond 7, the curing time is approximately 2 hours. You can use Arctic MX-4 instead. MX-4 is good too.

I DIY the shims using the fins from a desktop CPU heatsink (aluminum). It's not good as copper but I'm satisfied with the result. I'm using Arctic MX-4 thermal compound.

 

A little confusing but it looks like he is possibly supplying 1 10mm X 10mm x 0.9mm and 2 of the 25mm x 10mm x 0.7mm shims. You only require 1 of these shims. Worth checking before you place your order as it could reduce the cost.

Ideally both sides of the shim should be as shinny as possible, although realistically very slight surface scratches should be OK. It’s the job of the thermal compound to fill in these slight scratches to improve the thermal conductivity between the mating surfaces.

Apply the thermal compound between the GPU and one side of 10mm x 10mm shim then apply thermal compound to the other side of shim that mates with the heat sink.

Take your time and try not to rush the mod.

 

Several people ( here & here) use 0.7mm on the GPU (and CPU) while 0.9mm on the video RAM. I did read your post but since I need to make the shims thinner myself, what I did is make both shims 0.8mm & 0.9mm thin using sand paper & try it whether they'll fit or not. I did re-uses the thermal pad for the video ram in addition to the shim, just like you did. I did it two times. The first attempt, there is a large gap between the CPU & the heatsink. Large enough for the CPU temp to easily reached 90C during heavy load (ermm...rendering a video). I didn't tighten the screw because I'm using 1mm shim & afraid to break the GPU. For the second time, I make the shims thinner, probably between 0.8mm to 0.9mm & the heatsink is properly fitted. I'm able to tighten the screw this time.

Questions for you, for the video ram, it is necessary to use thermal pad between the video ram & the heatsink right? Thermal paste is bad idea?

@iafzal3, I agree with techifan1. Take your time when doing the mod. I take my time when disassembling the laptop, applying the shims & make sure they fitted properly. Be careful when removing the thermal pads. They tend to disintegrate itself if not carefully. When disassembling your laptop, follow the service manual carefully. Do not removed all the screws underneath the laptop at the same time (follow the steps in the service manual). I noticed the most fragile part while disassembling this laptop is the display hinge.

 

I am surprised that some have apparently shimmed the CPU.
In my opinion it is not advisable to shim the CPU and should not be necessary if the mod is carried out correctly.

Personally I would recommend using the thermal pad between the shimmed heat sink and video ram because the gap is to large for the thermal compound to fill. Generally, thermal compound works more efficiently if applied thinly and under pressure.

 

May I know why it is not advisable? The original heatsink also use copper as heat spreader for the CPU. Why putting one more layer of copper is not advisable?

 

The heatsink makes good contact with the CPU so really all your doing is putting unneeded pressure on the CPU when you shim it.Not to mention the heat has travel that much further before it can get to the heatsink and dissipate.
We are shimming the GPU because for some odd reason Dell (or who ever designed the cooling system) thought that leaving a gap between the GPU and heatsink then filling that gap with a thermal pad was a good cooling solution.

Well we all know that isnt the case

 

Hi, OneCool
Agreed, spot on with your explanation as usual.

 

Yup, I agree. Shim mod is not necessary for the CPU. I don't have problem with the CPU temps. It run much cooler under heavy load than my i5-450M (running the same task).

 

Techifan,
Just placed the order with John for the 2 heatsinks, I am expecting to make it to US by end of next week.

I am planning to use Arctic 5 as it is supposed to be easier to apply.
Any tools other than the screw drivers needed? maybe needle nose pliers?

Btw, you put thermal compound both ont he GPU/Video RAM as well on the Shim?

 

Hopefully the shims will arrive before the end of next week.
Arctic 5 should be fine if that’s your preferred thermal compound.
You should be fine with a couple of screwdrivers and small pliers.
Read post 22 and particularly 33

Order of assembly for GPU Copper Mod

Heatsink
Thermal Compound
10mm X 10mm X 0.9mm Copper Shim
Thermal Compound
GPU

Order of assembly for Video RAM Copper Mod

Heatsink
Thermal Compound
25mm X 10mm X 0.7mm Copper shim
Original Thermal Pads
Video Ram Chips (Do not put any thermal compound onto the top of the video ram chips just the original thermal pads)

 

Thanks!
I will read posts 22 and 33 again.
Some questions:
1. Did you find any stuff that required cleaning on the heat sink or the GPU/Chips etc. I am debating if I should get the cleaner also when I order AS5.
2. Also I assume you do not assemble as the order you have mentioned. You clean the top of the GPU put some thermal compound and then put the shim. Then put thermal compound on the shim and then bolt the heatsink on it.

3. What about CPU? is it helpful to put the thermal compound on top of it? My CPU normally runs around 50C and it goes to high 60s under stress. On the other hand I have seen GPU go as high as 99C when under stress playing games.

4. Any trick or things to watch out when taking the laptop apart? tabs to look for or wires to untangle or connectors to watch for? I think you wrote if we follow the Dell's manual we should be good.

 

1. Yes, you will have to carefully clean the heatsink, copper shims, CPU and
GPU.
Do not use any type of metal scraper.
To avoid scratching the surfaces use something softer like plastic
or wood to remove any stubborn bits that stick to the surfaces.
Finally, clean with Isopropyl or Isopropanol alcohol as it works well and is
likely to be cheaper than using so called specialized cleaners.

2. Order of assembly was probably a poor choice of words on my part as I
was trying to show and emphasize where the layers of thermal compound
should go.

3. Most definitely yes, not only helpful but it is essential that you put
some thermal compound onto the top of the CPU.

4. As said before just take your time and you should be good.
Look at Dells Service Manual but also look at post 33 for hints, tips and
photographs regarding taking the Laptop apart.
You can do this whilst waiting for your copper shims to arrive.

 

Yes I have no plans to use metal scraper and want to use this stuff which seems to come highly rated to remove stuff off CPU/GPU?heat sinks.
Amazon.com: ArctiClean 60ml Kit (includes 30ml ArctiClean 1 and 30ml ArctiClean 2): Electronics
I plan to clean the mating surfaces using it,

My question was to take some panels ike LCD hinge area/speaker area or the keyboard if you need some special tool?

 

Just a small tipped Phillips screwdriver