Solved cleaning a laptop thermal pad?

[foe]

I accidentally got some dust on one of my thermal pads. I probably could get a replacement, but I do not know were to order one or what specs to look at. Preferably I'd keep this one, but clean the now somewhat dusty surface. How should I do this, because I suspect cleaning it with alcohol will dissolve the pad as well?

PS a better title would have been 'how to clean a laptop thermal pad?'
if a mod would like to change this?

 

[foe]

no idea's whatsoever?

So I'll just have to try something?

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

If you are talking about the stuff that's like a double sided piece of tape, I doubt you will be able to clean it without ruining it. You'll probabably have to remove it, clean the surface, and replace it with a new one or use thermal paste.

 

[ripbox]

As above.... you will be better buying a tube of Artic Silver paste..... clean of the heat sink and chip (i use a bit of tissue) then squirt a pea size blob onto the chip and replace the heat-sink, do not use anything abrasive or any cleaning chemicals though

 

[foe]

I guess replacing the pad by paste is not such a good idea, since there will be much more space between the chip and sink. (a pad is thicker)

*edit*

If you are talking about the stuff that's like a double sided piece of tape,

I don't think so, I does not seam that sticky (I'd have to check) and is way thicker then a piece of tape. It's a white sort of chewing gum like strip...

*edit2*
If I really had to replace it, what specs should I look for to make sure it'll match my hardware. Where should I order it? (I live in Europe).

 

[foe]

*bump*

Plz people, tell me what to do :S

 

[bobkn]

*bump*

Plz people, tell me what to do :S

If you're worried, replace it. You're correct that thermal paste would be of no use; the gap (when assembled) is much too large.

What I can't tell you is where to get it, particularly in your home country. In the USA, it's not often found at retail. Electronics distributors (like www.digikey.com) may have hundreds of types available; you'd have to find one that matches the pads in your notebook. Such sellers may also have minimum order requirements.

The last time I needed a pad replacement, I found a good-enough match at a dealer in PC coolers. I needed the pad to restore the stock heat sink to a graphics card: the GPU used thermal paste, but the RAM chips used pads. Worked out fine.

 

[foe]

Well google does not help me the slightest bit.

I guess it is a better idea to talk to a local PC workshop?

If the thickness is the same I guess it is a fit, isn't is?

 

[bobafetthotmail]

I had some fun with a couple of those things when I disassembled a dead TV DVD player. (that filty piece of trash)

When they got dirty I did wash them with water and even used normal solid soap and they did not change shape nor dissolve, they got back to being sticky as when I took them away from the dead piece of trash.

Now, the only thing I didn't test (how could I?) is if they were still thermally conductive as before, so I cannot really say washing them won't damage them.

At least you know that other devices around you contain them as well, so you can... uhm... "borrow" them, or scavenge them if worse comes to worse.

 

[DeaconFrost]

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

 

[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.

 

[bobkn]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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