Windows 7: cleaning a laptop thermal pad?

Mark Phelps · 23 Aug 2012

The only reason for a pad or paste is due to very tiny irregularities in the surfaces of both the CPU and the HSF. Those create very tiny gaps (often thinner than a piece of paper) that need to be filled with a heat-conductive material.

When you use paste, you generally apply it and then scrape off all but a very thin layer.

I don't understand the comment that the gap is too large to use paste. IF that is true, then the HSF is not seating properly on the CPU chip.

bobkn · 23 Aug 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by Mark Phelps

The only reason for a pad or paste is due to very tiny irregularities in the surfaces of both the CPU and the HSF. Those create very tiny gaps (often thinner than a piece of paper) that need to be filled with a heat-conductive material.

When you use paste, you generally apply it and then scrape off all but a very thin layer.

I don't understand the comment that the gap is too large to use paste. IF that is true, then the HSF is not seating properly on the CPU chip.

Did anyone say anything about it being the CPU chip?

Thermal pads are used for other heatsinks. The pads can be a millimeter thick or more before they're compressed. (And they don't compress that much.)

foe · 26 Aug 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by DeaconFrost

How did it get dusty in the first place? That's what I'm stuck on.

well my laptop is very dusty and I was taking a look at my thermal paste (on my cpu), it's been on there for a good 5 years, so I felt like replacing it. I still need to do that, but as I got the heatsink out I clumsily got some of the dust on the thermal pad that's on the bridge (I think). Same heat sink...

So indeed, it is not on the cpu and I thought it was like 1 mm or a bit more in thickness.

I think I'll try nothing but water on a corner first...

linnemeyerhere · 26 Aug 2012

Maybe this or other silicone type pads could to the trick and if you do one might as well do all chips with the same pad.
Amazon.com: Gino 2 Pcs 1.2mm Thick Heatsink Thermal Pad Copper Shim for Laptop CPU GPU: Computers & Accessories

foe · 26 Aug 2012

I dunno,

The one I got is white and this one is made out of copper?

Does that still have the same flexibility and contact, or are you supposed to add thermal paste?

I've never used Amazon.com before, do they ship to Europe (I'm Dutch)?

linnemeyerhere · 26 Aug 2012

Just an example of what can be found and yes the silicone pads are white but copper with some nice sticky paste would be trick in my book.

foe · 28 Aug 2012

I tried cleaning it as good as I could with water,

so far, no smoke...

*edit*

Anyone know of a way to display the temperature of all of the cooled chips (including the bridge)?

Does anyone know where to order (silicon ?) pads in my country? Like stated before: I'm Dutch.

linnemeyerhere · 28 Aug 2012

foe,
These pads are used in all sorts of electronic applications. I would find a good computer repair person and ask where they source theirs or if you can source a small qty. of pads from them.

foe · 28 Aug 2012

Well, I don't know anyone like that. Asked a pc shop guy (he repairs them as well), he said 'what's a thermal pad'? He did not know the things exist. I'm afraid I don't know anyone with a broken dvdplayer as well.
Would rather have them new btw

linnemeyerhere · 28 Aug 2012

Get out a phone book and look under electronic supply stores and call them, you'll find someone who knows about these.

Windows 7: cleaning a laptop thermal pad?

cleaning a laptop thermal pad? problems?