Picture guide to upgrading Thermal Paste on your own!

Hey but remember to take account ambient conditions when checking the temperatures in furmark or anything.

 

Link to the pics? I might be getting an ASUS so I really want to check this out.

 

Just re-pasted my 9150EM today with Prolimatech PK-3 and did a Furmark test. Scored a 1696, temps sat around 80-81 tops with the GTX 680m is this about normal or should I re-apply for better results?

 

Please keep in mind that with the Asus, it requires a teardown of the computer which puts you at risk of voiding your warranty just to do a paste job.

It might be better to have the reseller do it for you, if you choose to purchase from a reseller. The reason folks in the Sager, Alienware, and MSI forums do re-paste jobs is because the components are quite a bit easier to access compared to most Asus systems.

 

I've repasted my MSI GE60, but it was the first time I did it on a laptop and I didn't have any special tools to clean the heatsink and the chips off, so I just rubbed them until they were visibly clean. However, it didn't work out as well as I expected (just a few degrees drop), so I'm going to repaste it again. ArctiClean is very hard to obtain in Hungary and I've read somewhere that alcohol can damage the chip. Is there truth in this or cotton buds dipped in alcohol would be safe to use?

 

The rubbing alcohol should be fine; however, I would highly recommend using a lint-free cloth instead of a cotton bud or anything of that nature. The fibers from such items can stick and remain on the components and either scratch the surface or mess with the thermal compound application.

 

Alcohol pads work well for me with no lint left behind on the chip

 

i just purchased a tube of gelid gc extreme.
it comes with an applicator.
would i still be better off using the bead and pressure method even though it is advised by gelid that the applicator produces the best results?

also.. the card that i will be pasting is replacing my current non-functional gpu.
is it imperative that i purchase thermal pads as well? or is that optional?

 

Quick question: Does the amount of paste you put on matter if you have a different type/brand of paste? Example: My using IC Diamond 7 vs. MX-4 vs. Arctic Silver, etc.? Or is it roughly the same regardless? Just wonderin'

 

If I'm using IC Diamond 7, should I put a rice grain (or line, or cross) like in the video? Or should I put a bit more to make sure it covers more of the cpu/gpu die? The comments in the video suggest that I don't need to put that much, and that just enough for the center area of the die should be ok---is that correct?

 

The thermal paste brands mentioned above would roughly go on the same, I would say that the curing time may differ - e.g. AS5 has a break-in period of 200hrs!

Rice grain/line would probably be best options, nothing over that! maybe even a tad smaller than a rice grain.

I suggest you have a play, apply the TIM then apply pressure to the heatsink then pull it off to see the coverage. if your happy with the amount clean up and re-apply. At least you get the gist of how much needs to go on. The CPU and GPU dies are small, so it doesn't need to be caked on.

 

bump.
still hoping someone can answer my question regarding the thermal pad.
this is a gtx 560m that is going into a p150hm, by the by.

 

Bead and pressure, don't worry about using the applicator.

as for the thermal pads, are they the same card? how old are the pads? if the pads still look ok, you can reuse them, dont touch them and just make sure they are making contact - otherwise you may need new or thicker pads. As always for peace of mind, purchase new pads if its getting to ya.

 

thanks for that.
guess it's a matter of finding how what thickness i need. 1mm, etc.
i'm coming from a radeon 6990m to a gtx 560m.

if anyone knows, i'd appreciate it.
now if i just knew which parts to apply the pads to.

 

1mm should be ok, best you get pads that make contact and more importantly give you good contact towards to the core of the heatsink.

have a look at this post, maxheap shows a picture of a 680m and a 560m, the 680m has where the pads should be (highlighted) - do the same for the 560m.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...cards/712196-gtx-560m-88-90c.html#post9125099

 

I hate to ask silly questions but this is my first repaste and I have fat, uncoordinated fingers. Is it ok the that thermal paste didn't cover 100% of the chip? I didn't want to overspread and temps seem to be good now (at least they are close to stock).

I opened up my 9150EM and everything seems to be working good. I can't tell how much the MX-4 is helping but Bioshock Infinite seems to be running a little cooler.
I used some 91% isopropyl alcohol and some cotton balls and q-tips. Be slow and gentle to make sure you don't leave cotton bits behind and make sure to let the alcohol dry/evaporate.

My biggest problem was when I realized that left my magnetized screw driver set at home and had to use a regular set.

 

You want to put enough that it will spread over the whole chip once you put the heatsink back on it. It is ideal to cover it all but if your temps look good I'd consider it successful.

 

What's a good way to benchmark my temps and see others'?

Dota 2 seems to hover under 70 deg C on both GPU and CPU.
Saints Row 3 runs between 70-75 on both which seems hot for the CPU.
Bioshock Infinite was about the same but the CPU was a little lower.

After a few runs of 3DMark 11, CPU was about 70 and GPU was about 75.

I'm a little concerned about my CPU temps.

I've downloaded Kombuster but what results should I shoot for?

 

Isn't it dangerous to use magnetized screwdrivers ? Not sure though...used them on my first paste job but the shop nearby was strongly against it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

 

^ Not at all, the magnetic field from a screw driver is very small and harmless.

 

This is wonderfully illustrated, thanks!

 

Do you know if I can use Coollaboratory Liquid Pro/Ultra on the IHS?

Also, anyone able to recommend any thermal pads for the IHS also? I don't know what to buy sizewise

 

I tried to use a strong neodymium magnet to erase or affect a hdd, to no avail. A magnetized screwdriver is no problem. I am A+ certified...

 

my exploits in the desktop, notebook applied in a straight line