Solved Want to change laptop thermal paste

[devenprasad]

Hi there,

I was wanting to change my thermal pasteon my laptop that has a i3-350m, i was hoping that i would be able to get advice on removing the old paste and a recomendation on a good paste.

A tech at a local store (NCIX CANADA) recomended i get Artic Cooling MX-2.:sarc:

Thanks In Advance For Any Help

 

[Clinkz]

I wont say you can not do it, i have done it once or twice in my life and it has been an interesting experience to say the least. Before looking at replacing the thermal paste, i would have to ask, why you would want to do that in the first place? Are you having heat issues?

 

[devenprasad]

Hi Clinkz,

Well I am going to have the laptop open for a cleaning on the fan and be replaceing the wifi card to a 5ghz compadible one. I dont have any heating issues currently 38 on one core and 42 on the other, so I will probally put what you said into consideration.

 

[MvdB]

I completely agree with Clinkz. Even more when you mention those temps... assuming they are measured when you're not idle That doesn't look like a reason to me...
It IS a very smart move however, to take the opportunity to give your system a good clean. Use a air pressure cannister meant for the job for that...

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Also look into a good cooling pad with fan or a stand like I've just gone to. Combine this with a great wireless keyboard and mouse and it's the bomb diggity !

 

[Clinkz]

Yeah those temps are pretty good, you really shouldn't need to touch the paste at all, its a big hassle to do it anyway. Also, if you were experiencing head issues, my first step would be to get a cooling pad like linnemeyerhere suggested.

 

[alphanumeric]

If your current WIFI card is 2.4 GHz only, its likely your built in Antennas are single band also. If so they will not work very well, if at all, on the 5 GHz band.

 

[MvdB]

If your current WIFI card is 2.4 GHz only, its likely your built in Antennas are single band also. If so they will not work very well, if at all, on the 5 GHz band.

Good point! Maybe he could use a 5Ghz Wifi Expresscard and disable the internal?

 

[alphanumeric]

USB dongle will work too. My fathers Acer laptop only does G with the built in WIFI. When he's at home where he has an N router he disables the internal and uses an N USB adapter.

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

One side note sometimes they don't use thermal paste...they use a thermal adhesive....

 

[alphanumeric]

One side note sometimes they don't use thermal paste...they use a thermal adhesive....

Thats true but I don't think thats likely in this case. I wouldn't think you'd use it on a laptop processor. In the ones I've opened the fan and heat sink are one unit, similar to whats on a video card. If you glued it on you would never be able to replace it if the fan quit. You wouldn't be able to remove the processor either even if it was in a socket. You wouldn't be able to raise the release lever with the heat sink still on top. I've seen the adhesive used on some video card heat sinks that didn't have a fan. Those are throw away items anyway if they fail. If you don't see any screws or clips it's likey held on with thermal adhesive and you won't have to worry about changing it.

 

[Sardonicus]

Many times the transfer of heat to the sink is not the problem. It's the transfer of heat to the air.
A laptop cooler may be a better bet.

 

[devenprasad]

Hey Guys (and gals)

I did not replace the wifi card nor the paste, the heatsink was not adhesive but paste, wow there was alot of dust underneath of it. Probally the reason the fan was so loud before. I would like to say thanks for all your help,

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Great job on the full laptop exploration and cleaning. My laptop is so old as I'm hoping it will just pass away but when I replace it it's good to now with help and patience I can get deep into it and clean.....if and when needed.