How to tell which Thermal Paste was used on a new notebook?

Tricky question here...

I am looking for a new notebook, and I have decided on Sager NP5160 (or similar).

I actually have two offers, one that explicitly offers IC Diamond 7 and the other that simply doesn't mention anything about therma compounds (which is quite normal, if you think of other notebooks when you simply won't have this kind of option).

The second is quite cheaper than the first. I thought that they may use just the stock thermal compound, but when I asked, they said that they actually use IC Diamond 7.

I don't mistrust them, but it simply seams strange. I believe they are aware of the others sellers and those usually have such information highlighted on their announces.

But my question: How to tell what is the thermal compound on a brand new notebook?

These second option I've said has much better value, but I'm aware how this new Sandy Bridge machines (plus Nvidia GT540m sharing the same heat sink) are getting warmer and I would not like to end up with a toaster on my lap.

Any ideas??

 

Probably the cheapest thermal paste known to man? Probably silicone based of maybe if you are lucky toothpaste or Vegemite.

Sandy Bridge should be around the same thermal envelope of Arrandale and Clarksfield. Idle temperatures should be lower.

 

You can always ask them what's the temperature of the CPU and GPU at idle and under load and blend it in with a question on how loud is the cooling fan. Based on their response you can get an idea of the thermal compound's quality.

 

Yeah...
But would you know how to tell, if you got one brand new laptop at your door, do you'll have any way to check what's its thermal compound?

Just comparing temperature values with others that people share on forums like this one or is it another (more direct) way?
I'm just wondering...

 

If you can't obtain that information from them, I don't see why they'd hide it: but it's either because they're clueless or they're clueless because their interest is sales not deep tech support most likely. Try it before you buy it and check their return policy.

 

I contacted them, they've said that it does use IC Diamond 7. It just seamed strange, comparing to other resellers who announce this kind of thing.

But you got a point, maybe the best thing to do is to stress test it and the, depending on that, return it.
I couldn't try it before buying because I need to order such a machine.

Thanks for your thoughts

 

Without proper equipment, there isn't a way for you to tell what thermal paste is used.

 

practically it doesn't matter what thermal paste is used, unless you're an extreme overclocker

what matters is -> is there thermal paste or not

- In some cases it would matter if the thermal paste is electrically conductive or not, though better not be.
- If you aim to apply new paste then curing time might come into attention

everything else is salesman tactics to sell you one compound over another.

 

I've seen here on this community (at this same section, or at different brands) that new notebooks are having trouble to dissipate all the heat that is generated under stress usage even under default clock. I'm looking to buy one right now and I was worried on this.

 

It's a Sager, I wouldn't doubt their quality. Sager/Clevo produce some of the highest quality machines with the best parts out there. I wouldn't doubt that they are using ICD 7.

 

your worring over nothing
buying a laptop or not because of what thermal paste is used is silly

by the look of the case you have a panel to the cpu and ram
it shouldnt be sealed(mine wasnt) meaning you can add your own paste

 

ICD7, while an excellent thermal paste, can still be applied sloppily, which would result in poor heat transfer and higher heat than a less high performance paste. Unfortunately, there's usually no way to tell what kind of thermal paste or pad has been used unless you take it apart... at which point you need to redo the paste or pad anyway, because taking it apart ruins the previous job. As stated earlier, just test it when you get it. If your temperatures are good, it doesn't really matter what paste is in there.

Most of the notebooks in the other thread were known for poor cooling even with the last generation of CPUs; since this new generation isn't really appreciably cooler for the most part, just more powerful, the temperatures are about the same as the last generation (i.e. somewhat hot). People are being slightly misled by the fact that while 2nd generation core i/Sandy Bridge is more efficient than 1st generation core i, it's also been clocked much higher, so the overall heat production remains about the same (apart from turbo boost also being more aggressive, which also leads to slightly higher temperatures).

 

Thanks, Judicator.

I conclude that's its just a matter of getting one notebook, testing it, and then, if it doesn't please, return to the store. Somewhat logical, but maybe I was just overly concerned.

 

If you're worried about thermal paste you could just as easily be worried about counterfeit ram or used/refurbished hard drives, mislabeled batteries, etc.

relax

 

hmmm, in my country, being the tech line, frankly we were told to tell customer if they want diamond IC, or AC5 paste, add $30. but were never told to change the paste....

yes...that the sad truth. as consumers wont be able to check if it is AC5.

 

mass spectrograph?

 

That's bad!!

Where are you from?