HP Envy 17 heatsink question

Hello. I have an Envy 17-1150es with the usual overheating problem. I have already changed its thermal paste twice.

My question is: The heatsink has a section that covers the board capacitors as well (above and to the right on the attached picture, beside the processor section), but it only has a hard-rubber-like substance. It does not get any thermal paste. Does it need to be replaced as well? And how?

Thank you.

 

Hi. I used to own a 1000 series Envy 17 and sadly had the same problem.

The only way to use this laptop without getting it to hibernate due to overheating issues is to use a Cooler Master Notepal U2+ or U3+ cooling pads. Use them WITHOUT the fans, because the fans get dust into the laptop's fan faster and will generate fluff on the exhaust preventing the fan from cooling the heatpipes enough for the laptop to keep up working.
Ii is recomended to disassemble and clean the laptop's fan (including the exhaust). And replace the termal paste (you already did) for a very good one because you are going to need it.

There are some Envy 17-1000 series laptops that have a revised fan with an extra heatpipe and an extra exhaust.
It seems to have the same screw locations for the CPU and GPU but in order to fit on your laptop you may have to buy a new bottom case (assuming yours doesn't have the extra grill for the second exhaust).
Sadly i don't remember if my Envy 17 had it. It is a small grill located near the left screen hinge (at 90 degrees from the main exhaust).
i'll link you the parts from ebay if you want to check them out and will leave you the service manual at the end of the post so you can see if it would fit/work on your laptop.
You can also check for this parts on google using the HP Sparepart Number for each item.

Fan:
Sparepart Number: 603799-001
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-for-HP-...486585?hash=item33a882f439:g:3PIAAOSw9N1Vg9Vz

Bottom Case:
Sparepart Number: 603792-001
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-ENVY-17-...543503?hash=item3ab7f7578f:g:9QwAAOSw7FRWXdfu
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-ENVY-17-...509814?hash=item43e7c8de36:g:UMsAAOSwkl5Xc6Fr

Last but not least:
You can buy a less power consuming processor for example the i5-580M and the i7-640M.
Both of them are dual core processors but they are built on a 32nm manufacturing process wich is newer than the 45nm manufacturing process used to build the quad core i7s.
That translates in less power consumption (35 watts vs 45 watts) and therefore less heat with a surronunding performance of a 1st gen i7 processor.
Also these cpus have integrated graphics, so you could manually switch between integrated and dedicated graphics resulting on even less power consumption and heat because you wouldn't be using the dedigated gpu when you don't need it.

In terms of Socket (PGA 988 / Socket G1) and Chipset (Intel HM55 Express) compatibility you should be covered if you have an Envy 17-1000/1100 Series but you should double check before you do it.

Whatever you do, do it at your own risk! Some of these upgrade procedures may not work even if it is announced as compatible.
Please read the service manual:
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02589673

Let me know if any of this alternatives worked for you.

 

Thank you very much for your detailed answer.
HWmonitor shows me 75-82ºC in idle and up to 100ºC under heavy games (room temperature these days was over 30ºC). I don't know if I can expect less than that. I have a Samsung laptop with an i5 that idles at around 50, but has reached 95 while gaming as well.
First thing I did when I got the HP (was passed on by a friend who used it with both the base and keyboard opened) was to clean the heatsink and put new thermal paste (Arctic MX-2) then I closed it correctly and put it on a cooling pad. I have replaced the paste twice in two years, and it always comes out dry and brittle.
I don't have it near me, but I don't remember a second vent outlet. The part you linked is a good idea, though.
The chip replacement looks interesting, but I'm not sure if the BIOS will accept it. The i5 costs about 45 euros in ebay Europe.
Thanks again. I'll keep you updated.

 

If you want to go for an i5, the fastest option you have available would be the i5-580M. It's performance on benchmarks is pretty much identical as the i7-620M.
It is also a 32nm CPU and has the integrated graphics.

Sadly when i had this laptop i had to replace the thermal compound once a year. The cooling pad only prevented it from hibernating because it was still so hot i couldn't rest my left hand on it.
I don't understand why they didn't add a second fan. The Envy 14 is smaller and has two fans and two heatpipes for the CPU.

Anyway, be sure to check for the motherboard to support a dual core processor. The i5-580M is shown as compatible on the service manual but for example:
On the Envy 14's Service manual, the same processors are compatible, but on the computer major component,s section list it is specified that two models of motherboards are manufactured: One for i3 and i5 processors (or dual cores only), and One for i7 processors (or quad cores only). In terms of Socket and Chipset support there shouldn't be a problem on upgrading to any of these CPUs but this is just an HP intervention just to get the users mad when it comes to upgrading their laptops.

On the Envy 17's Service manual they don't specify this, so it may be possible that it's motherboard supports dual and quad cores.

If you are going for any dual core cpu please let me know if it worked and let me know if you have the second vent outlet as well. A friend of mine will soon buy my former Envy 17 but i don't have it with me becasue i sold it to another friend of mine two years ago. I also bought a second hand Envy 14 as a secondary notebook with the dual core support motherboard (it comes with an i5) and i bought an i7-640M (dual core). I will try if both of these CPUs work on my friend's Envy 17. The CPU may take longer than a month to arrive but i'm pretty sure the notebook will arrive next week.
It will take me some time to verify CPU compatibility on the Envy 17 for you if you still didn't go for any of the alternatives.

The point is that i would like to help my friend solve the same problem you are facing right now so any info would be beneficial for both of us.

 

I replaced the thermal paste again last week. Same syringe of Arctic MX-2. From the old one was left just a patch of oil on top of the processors and paste on the sides. The idle temp has gone from 80 to 70-ish, but the working temp still reaches 100 if games are used. It does not idle at any time, though. Also, if a wild svchost process appears and starts using 25% of the processor (it's super effective), the temp climbs to 90.

I don't plan on getting it a new processor yet and I can find no 580M locally (they come from China and may take months).
Also, I saw a video about replacing the heatsink for the one with two air outputs and it showed no improvement. (Come to think of it, it would blow towards the screen).

Thanks again for your help. I'll be keeping an eye on the 580Ms from time to time. I wish you the best luck with the project you've narrated.

 

I just saw the video. What a shame...
Seems like the cpu replacement is all you can go for right now.

I read in some forum that going into Catalyst Control Center and changing PowerPlay settings to "Maximize battery life" on both battery and plugged in lowers the temperatures on both CPU and GPU and doesn't significantly lower performance. Take it with a pinch of salt but it won't hurt you if you try it out. You should also make sure to keep your power profile on "Balanced".

Let me know if it works.