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    Replacing thermal tape

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by jorben, Mar 23, 2013.

  1. jorben

    jorben Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey, I was about to redo the thermal compound on my laptop and I have some extra 3M thermal tape lying around, so I was wondering if it is worth it to replace the thermal tape on my my heatpipe as well.

    Thanks in advance,
    Jake
     
    jorben, Mar 23, 2013
    #1
  2. mattcheau

    mattcheau Notebook Deity

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    are you asking if you should use both paste and tape on the heat sink? or is there heat tape used somewhere else along the heat pipe(s)? make/model/specs of laptop are usually good to mention right off as well.
     
    mattcheau, Mar 23, 2013
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  3. jorben

    jorben Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am saying that there is thermal tape as well as thermal paste, thermal paste on GPU/CPU and thermal tape on some other components, the model is Lenovo y400.
     
    jorben, Mar 23, 2013
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  4. StormJumper

    StormJumper Notebook Virtuoso

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    I would advise against using that thermal take since we have no idea what it looks like or what it is used for. You got a picture you can show us the tape and where you are talking about?
     
    StormJumper, Mar 24, 2013
    #4
  5. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    I usually leave the thermal "tape" or pads alone. They are usually sufficient for the components they are cooling. Thermal paste on the other hand, I'd recommend everyone change theirs as the first thing they do when they get their laptop if it doesn't void their warranty. Factory paste is usually the next thing better than toothpaste, and usually sloppily applied.
     
    HTWingNut, Mar 25, 2013
    #5
  6. Prostar Computer

    Prostar Computer Company Representative

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    The tape doesn't degrade the way the compound does (if "degrading" is even the right word for it). You're fine leaving the tape as is and doing a repaste when necessary.
     
    Prostar Computer, Mar 25, 2013
    #6