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    Installing new Video card. Thermal paste?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Nicholas Scott, Jul 4, 2011.

  1. Nicholas Scott

    Nicholas Scott Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just got a replacement mmx Video card for my Gateway laptop. The card died. I noticed that there was what appeared to be double stick metallic tape that held the heat sink to the card and other chips. Can I just use thermal paste in these areas when installing the new card?
     
    Nicholas Scott, Jul 4, 2011
    #1
  2. Nick

    Nick Professor Carnista

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    I believe so, and for the memory chips, you need to use thermal pads only.
     
    Nick, Jul 4, 2011
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  3. tilleroftheearth

    tilleroftheearth Wisdom listens quietly...

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    Depends on how thick the tape is/was.

    If too thick, then the paste will be a poor substitute for conducting heat away from the cpu - it may still work with appropriately thick/thin copper 'shims' though.
     
    tilleroftheearth, Jul 5, 2011
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  4. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    Thermal paste is just there to fill micro gaps between the gpu and heatsink so it sits flush for optimal heat transfer.

    Any gap bigger and it wont transfer thermal energy as efficiently.

    The thickest paste ive used is ICD7, but for a 1mm gap id still use a thermal pad or copper.
     
    flipfire, Jul 5, 2011
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  5. zerius

    zerius Notebook Enthusiast

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    And just to clarify: copper is used to fill the gap so you would go:

    Heatsink
    Thermal paste
    Copper Shim
    Thermal Paste
    GPU Core
     
    zerius, Jul 6, 2011
    #5