cleaning a laptop thermal pad?

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  1. Posts : 1,379
    Win7 Pro 32-bit, Win8 Pro 32-bit
       #11

    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.
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  2. Posts : 2,606
    Windows 7 Pro X64 SP1
       #12

    Mark Phelps said:
    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.)
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  3. foe
    Posts : 73
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #13

    DeaconFrost said:
    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...
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  4. Posts : 11,424
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
       #14

    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
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  5. foe
    Posts : 73
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #15

    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)?
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  6. Posts : 11,424
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
       #16

    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.
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  7. foe
    Posts : 73
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #17

    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.
    Last edited by foe; 28 Aug 2012 at 06:52.
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  8. Posts : 11,424
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
       #18

    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.
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  9. foe
    Posts : 73
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #19

    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
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  10. Posts : 11,424
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
       #20

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