What technique do you use when replacing a laptop's thermal paste?

[mamamia88]

Are you supposed to do it the same way as on a desktop? The die is much much smaller and I don't want it going places it shouldn't. Should you spread it when the die is so small?

[Windows7ge]

With laptops I prefer to use a non-conductive TIM just because the computers setup lacks the separation you normally have on a desktop.

 

I personally worry about the pea (or grain of rice) method on bare die chips as you don't have the IHS to make up the difference if your spread isn't great (or if you add too much trying to make up the difference) so I like to make sure I cover all four corners by spreading it out (using only as much as I need). The little heatsink/heatpipe will remove the air pockets as it compresses it and warms up.

 

Just my preference/method. Others will have different ideologies on how to do it.

[5x5]

Firstly, non conductive paste. 

 

Secondly, make sure it's spread well since every bit of the die needs cooling, not just the centre

[F___M]

This is how I do it.  The heatsink should show you where the paste needs to be.  Scotch tape that area off.  Put a small amount of paste in the center of the square/rectangle.  Spread to the thickness of the tape with a credit card (or whatever).  Install.  This way, it doesn't have too little or too much.  And, that is all.   Pull off the tape of course. lol

[mamamia88]

28 minutes ago, 5x5 said:

Firstly, non conductive paste. 

 

Secondly, make sure it's spread well since every bit of the die needs cooling, not just the centre

I have a 20g tube of mx-4 lying around I'll be using that. What's the best method of spreading it? Just get some latex gloves and spread it with your finger or some kind of business card?

[F___M]

oh, and make sure you clean off the thermal paste from the heatsink and chip.  use isopropyl if you need to.

[5x5]

13 minutes ago, mamamia88 said:

I have a 20g tube of mx-4 lying around I'll be using that. What's the best method of spreading it? Just get some latex gloves and spread it with your finger or some kind of business card?

MX-4 isn't really great - I'd invest in some Kryonaut

[mamamia88]

34 minutes ago, 5x5 said:

MX-4 isn't really great - I'd invest in some Kryonaut

For an old thinkpad I'm refurbishing? Is it really that much better? 

[5x5]

22 minutes ago, mamamia88 said:

For an old thinkpad I'm refurbishing? Is it really that much better? 

Depends on how much you're going to profit from it

[mamamia88]

1 hour ago, 5x5 said:

Depends on how much you're going to profit from it

I'm just gonna be lugging it around to hotels for short 3 day trips not doing much other than basic web browsing. 

[5x5]

35 minutes ago, mamamia88 said:

I'm just gonna be lugging it around to hotels for short 3 day trips not doing much other than basic web browsing. 

Then I guess use the MX-4 you have.

[genexis_x]

line method