Can we again improve the performance (+20%) of the MacBook Air M2 with professional thermal pad or paste?

[Appletoni]

Can we again improve the performance (+20%) of the MacBook Air M2 with professional thermal pad or paste?
I would say yes because it was already done with the MacBook Air M1.

 

[chabig]

If adding thermal paste could improve performance 20%, Apple would have done it. I’ve not seen any claims that this worked in M1 machines, nor does it make sense. These machine aren’t limited thermally.

 

[TSE]

Yes! I actually just did this mod with my M2 MacBook Air that Steve Jobs ghost sent me. I'm not getting a 20% boost; I'm actually getting a 5,000% boost!

Unless Apple engineers the bottom plate to be used as a heat sink, then yes, doing the same mod on the MacBook Air M2 will yield similar results. But nobody has one, isn't going to have one for another month, and this thread is all speculation.

To @chabig , I think OP is referring to the mod that Linus Tech Tips did that essentially connects the CPU's heatsink to the bottom plate, effectively making the bottom plate an additional heatsink. I don't think he's referring to thermal paste modifications as well. Correct me if I'm wrong, OP.

 

[jdb8167]

If adding thermal paste could improve performance 20%, Apple would have done it. I’ve not seen any claims that this worked in M1 machines, nor does it make sense. These machine aren’t limited thermally.

Not really true. The mods people have done heat up the base of the case higher than is allowed by safety limits.

 

[Mr.Blacky]

At this point, this user is just spamming the forums with unnecessary double and triple posts. 🙄

 

[mi7chy]

There should be a physical switch kind of like webcam security shutter to select between 'shorts mode - cool bottom case with thermal throttling' or 'pants mode - warm bottom case without thermal throttling'. Personally, I'd keep mine in pants mode.

 

[jav6454]

Can we again improve the performance (+20%) of the MacBook Air M2 with professional thermal pad or paste?
I would say yes because it was already done with the MacBook Air M1.

You already posted this in the MBP forum and the answer will not change:

No, thermal pads/paste will not allow you to hit targets that are driven by architecture changes and efficiencies. It will allow you to sustain a higher workload when required with better thermal transfers, but it definitely will not increase performance beyond the chip's capacities.