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Should I reapply thermal paste?

V

Vinsanity93

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 30, 2010
45
0
So I've seen a lot of threads saying that the thermal paste Apple applies is at best sloppy. People have said reapplying the paste makes the computer run cooler. My comp idles around 98-110F internet surfing and light stuff, max temp I've reached is 180F playing SC2 and Red Alert 3 and that's with discrete graphics.

Do you guys think that I should reapply the paste or is my mac already running as cool as it could be?
 
Vinsanity93 said:
So I've seen a lot of threads saying that the thermal paste Apple applies is at best sloppy. People have said reapplying the paste makes the computer run cooler. My comp idles around 98-110F internet surfing and light stuff, max temp I've reached is 180F playing SC2 and Red Alert 3 and that's with discrete graphics.

Do you guys think that I should reapply the paste or is my mac already running as cool as it could be?
Click to expand...

Those temps look reasonable. Mine were much higher when I got my MBP, so I had to replace the thermal paste (the thermal paste that was there was a total disaster) - maybe :apple: cleaned up their act now? How recencently did you get yours? But even still, to be on the safe side (if you have the patience) I'd still replace it, with either arctic silver or IC diamond (I personally went with IC diamond). After I replaced the TP, my idle is 84-91, and playing SC2 is around 165-170...
 
escogido said:
Those temps look reasonable. Mine were much higher when I got my MBP, so I had to replace the thermal paste (the thermal paste that was there was a total disaster) - maybe :apple: cleaned up their act now? How recencently did you get yours? But even still, to be on the safe side (if you have the patience) I'd still replace it, with either arctic silver or IC diamond (I personally went with IC diamond). After I replaced the TP, my idle is 84-91, and playing SC2 is around 165-170...
Click to expand...

I ordered it last week of April and got it in May. Does ifixit have a guide to reapplying the thermal paste? I don't want a $2000 paperweight -__-
 
Vinsanity93 said:
I ordered it last week of April and got it in May. Does ifixit have a guide to reapplying the thermal paste? I don't want a $2000 paperweight -__-
Click to expand...

iFixit has a complete teardown of the MBP (what I used when reapplying thermal paste). As for the application itself, once you remove the logic board and take off the heatsinks, it's pretty simple. Take some isopropyl alcohol and q-tips (or a cloth, or whatever) and remove all the gunk that's on there. Clean the chips again once more with alcohol, then apply a THIN, EVEN layer (just enough to fully cover the surface evenly) of paste back on using something like a spudger or the edge of a credit card. I recommend Arctic Cooling MX-2 or Arctic Silver 5. Then put everything back together following the steps backwards.

The bottom line is to be careful, take your time, and avoid static electricity.

EDIT: That said, yeah 80C is fine. If you're worried about screwing something up, I wouldn't recommend doing it. It's the type of thing you should do if either 1) Your temps are dangerously high or 2) You know what you're doing and do it for "fun" (and lower temps, either way). Get SMCFanControl and control your fan speed manually so it doesn't reach such high temps, if you're worried.
 
DWBurke811 said:
80*C is well within normal, safe operating temps of your processor.
Click to expand...

I know but it gets uncomfortable on the lap :/

murdercitydevil said:
iFixit has a complete teardown of the MBP (what I used when reapplying thermal paste). As for the application itself, once you remove the logic board and take off the heatsinks, it's pretty simple. Take some isopropyl alcohol and q-tips (or a cloth, or whatever) and remove all the gunk that's on there. Clean the chips again once more with alcohol, then apply a THIN, EVEN layer (just enough to fully cover the surface evenly) of paste back on using something like a spudger or the edge of a credit card. I recommend Arctic Cooling MX-2 or Arctic Silver 5. Then put everything back together following the steps backwards.

The bottom line is to be careful, take your time, and avoid static electricity.

EDIT: That said, yeah 80C is fine. If you're worried about screwing something up, I wouldn't recommend doing it. It's the type of thing you should do if either 1) Your temps are dangerously high or 2) You know what you're doing and do it for "fun" (and lower temps, either way). Get SMCFanControl and control your fan speed manually so it doesn't reach such high temps, if you're worried.
Click to expand...

Yea one of the first apps I downloaded
 
what are abnormal temps for when people reapply the thermal paste?

----------
Vinsanity93 said:
I know but it gets uncomfortable on the lap :/



Yea one of the first apps I downloaded
Click to expand...

might want to check out a "ilap"

i use it and like it a lot. though they are $ if you purchase them new and thus suggest looking for them used.
 
FWIW, I've not seen too many posts here or else where re-applying the thermal paste made an incredible decrease in the temps. For the most part, I've only see a few degrees.

To that end, I don't see the value in reapplying the thermal paste exceeding the risk of damaging your computer, applying it incorrectly, and voiding your warranty.
 
Vinsanity93 said:
I know but it gets uncomfortable on the lap :/



Yea one of the first apps I downloaded
Click to expand...

1) if your temperatures are staying under 90C when doing everything but playing games, you are fine. You don't need to mess with SMC at all in this case; I have a 2011 13 inch and the machine stays at 2kRPM until temps in the core hit 80C; at that point the fans cut on and increase gradually until the temp drops.

If this is how your machine sounds, then you're fine. The machine chooses to run up to 80 before cutting fans to save battery and, from what i see, it isn't needed.

2) If you have to put it in your lap, use a thin, hard backed book, like a small year book or picture book or something. The machine won't overheat in your lap but if you have to use it that way, at least put it on your knees sort of so the back middle isn't touching anything.
 
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