Radeongate-affected MBP - thermal throttling after GPU reball

[yjchua95]

Hi guys,

Title's self-explanatory.

After sending in my MBP for a reball, I discovered that thermal throttling was very prevalent in everything I did, no matter how light or heavy.

Whenever the CPU entered TurboBoost mode and did a short spike from 0.8GHz to 3.1GHz, the temperature spiked from 58ºC to 99ºC at the same time.

Screenshot is attached.

I suspect that the repair shop must've messed around with the CPU's thermal paste; hence the abnormal behavior. The guy told me that he replaced the thermal paste (didn't specify whether it was on the GPU only or on the CPU as well) with silicone pad instead, saying that silicone pad would dissipate heat better.

What I discovered was that the silicone pad did indeed lower idling temperatures, but then, temperature also spiked way more sharply than before.

In short, changes in temperature are very extreme with silicone pad applied, compared to with thermal paste applied.

Another screenshot is attached from a 13" rMBP showing a gradual increase in temperature during the spike to 3.2GHz.

Thoughts, anyone?

PS sorry for the rambling post, but it's been bugging me to no end.

Left image: 13" rMBP
Right image: 15" 2011 cMBP

 

[cscheat]

Hi guys,

Title's self-explanatory.

After sending in my MBP for a reball, I discovered that thermal throttling was very prevalent in everything I did, no matter how light or heavy.

Whenever the CPU entered TurboBoost mode and did a short spike from 0.8GHz to 3.1GHz, the temperature spiked from 58ºC to 99ºC at the same time.

Screenshot is attached.

I suspect that the repair shop must've messed around with the CPU's thermal paste; hence the abnormal behavior. The guy told me that he replaced the thermal paste (didn't specify whether it was on the GPU only or on the CPU as well) with silicone pad instead, saying that silicone pad would dissipate heat better.

What I discovered was that the silicone pad did indeed lower idling temperatures, but then, temperature also spiked way more sharply than before.

In short, changes in temperature are very extreme with silicone pad applied, compared to with thermal paste applied.

Another screenshot is attached from a 13" rMBP showing a gradual increase in temperature during the spike to 3.2GHz.

Thoughts, anyone?

PS sorry for the rambling post, but it's been bugging me to no end.

Left image: 13" rMBP
Right image: 15" 2011 cMBP

First of all, good to hear that your mbp is back to business !!!

Why don't you try open it up and repaste it using any paste you like ?

I love MX4

 

[yjchua95]

First of all, good to hear that your mbp is back to business !!!

Why don't you try open it up and repaste it using any paste you like ?

I love MX4

1. I don't have a Tri-wing screwdriver
2. I'm too chicken to open it up and reapply it myself

 

[brdeveloper]

1. I don't have a Tri-wing screwdriver
2. I'm too chicken to open it up and reapply it myself

Do some heavy stress test hoping that it will failt before service warranty expires. If it doesn't fail, it won't probably fail anymore

 

[cscheat]

Hi guys,

Title's self-explanatory.

After sending in my MBP for a reball, I discovered that thermal throttling was very prevalent in everything I did, no matter how light or heavy.

Whenever the CPU entered TurboBoost mode and did a short spike from 0.8GHz to 3.1GHz, the temperature spiked from 58ºC to 99ºC at the same time.

Screenshot is attached.

I suspect that the repair shop must've messed around with the CPU's thermal paste; hence the abnormal behavior. The guy told me that he replaced the thermal paste (didn't specify whether it was on the GPU only or on the CPU as well) with silicone pad instead, saying that silicone pad would dissipate heat better.

What I discovered was that the silicone pad did indeed lower idling temperatures, but then, temperature also spiked way more sharply than before.

In short, changes in temperature are very extreme with silicone pad applied, compared to with thermal paste applied.

Another screenshot is attached from a 13" rMBP showing a gradual increase in temperature during the spike to 3.2GHz.

Thoughts, anyone?

PS sorry for the rambling post, but it's been bugging me to no end.

Left image: 13" rMBP
Right image: 15" 2011 cMBP

1. I don't have a Tri-wing screwdriver
2. I'm too chicken to open it up and reapply it myself

Go ACE Hardware to get one !!!

 

[yjchua95]

Do some heavy stress test hoping that it will failt before service warranty expires. If it doesn't fail, it won't probably fail anymore

Nah, I'll most probably send it back and ask the guy to replace the silicone pad with regular AS5 or MX4 instead

 

[saturnotaku]

Could you post the name of the shop/eBay seller where you sent your machine in for repair so others might not make the same mistake if/when their machines fail out of warranty?

 

[yjchua95]

Could you post the name of the shop/eBay seller where you sent your machine in for repair so others might not make the same mistake if/when their machines fail out of warranty?

It's the guy here: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=3190957&hl

Based in Malaysia.

 

[maflynn]

Nah, I'll most probably send it back and ask the guy to replace the silicone pad with regular AS5 or MX4 instead

I think its easier, quicker and cheaper to do it yourself. Its not all that hard.

 

[yjchua95]

I think its easier, quicker and cheaper to do it yourself. Its not all that hard.

I could, but I'm too chicken

 

[cscheat]

I could, but I'm too chicken

any updates?

 

[yjchua95]

any updates?

Nope, I'm going back to the reballer on Thursday.

 

[yjchua95]

FINAL UPDATE

The reballer replaced the silicone pad with Thermaltek TG-3 thermal paste, and did not charge me anything for the repair.

I can fully confirm that thermal throttling is no longer present and that it's operating back at its full capacity