Reapply thermal paste....?

[AlphaDogg]

I'm sorry if my last post was harsh. I'm glad you made the right decision. I think the reason why I was so adamant about stopping you from doing it is that it is definitely something I would have done if I was younger and learned my lesson after suffering the consequences.

But I still recommend giving SMC fancontrol a try. See how long your battery lasts under standard conditions without upping the fan speed then do the same with increased fan speed. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with the decreased temps and see that it doesn't decrease battery life to a noticeable extent.

Did you see the link to the thread that i put in the original post? I reapplied thermal paste to my old (out of warranty) white MB. The temps in that machine (when surfing the forums) are around 110ºF-130ºF (after the thermal paste reapplication), down from 145ºF-165ºF (before the thermal paste reapplication).

Btw, I really appreciate your apology.

Edit: I just realized that the link is bad. I will repost the correct link when I can.

 

[AlphaDogg]

Here is the correct link. The dead link was removed from the original post, and was replaced with an active link. Here it is: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/932922/

 

[AlphaDogg]

I'm back with the same dilemma. I have recently received a coffee damaged 2010 MacBook for free. I disassembled it, cleaned all of the components, and reapplied thermal paste. It works fine. In fact, I am composing this message on the coffee damaged 2010 MacBook. But here is my dilemma: This MacBook runs much, much cooler than my 13" MBP. There is about a 30ºF difference. Since I have experience in the unibodies, I think I will take apart my MBP, and reapply the thermal paste. I will keep you posted on my results.
Have a nice day,
AlphaDogg

 

[AlphaDogg]

SUCCESS! After meticulously disassembling my MBP, I have successfully applied Arctic Silver Ceramique to the CPU and GPU. I took pictures of the original application of paste, but I mistakenly forgot to take pictures of my paste application. I am noticing a difference of approximately 10º-12ºC, idling. The difference between the original paste application and my new paste application is about 2º-5ºC, under load. I know that is not much, but the fan speeds are about 3000rpm lower than before the paste application, under load. The fan speed while idling is the same 1990-2000rpm as before the new application of paste.

Now on to the pictures:

This is a picture of the MBP's Logic Board with the original thermal paste application.

This is a picture of the MBP's heatsink/heatpipe with the original thermal paste application.

This is a picture of some of the scraps of the original thermal paste that I took off with a lint-free cloth and rubbing alcohol. It came off of the cloth.

This is a picture of the heatsink/heatpipe with all of the thermal paste removed.

This is a picture of the logic board without any thermal paste.

This is a picture of the logic board with the heatsink/heatpipe attached.

Click on image for full size

 

[murdercitydevil]

Good work.

Reapplying TIM was one of the first things I did to my MBP

Honestly if you don't bend or damage the battery cover tabs, you're fine.

 

[AlphaDogg]

Good work.

Reapplying TIM was one of the first things I did to my MBP

Honestly if you don't bend or damage the battery cover tabs, you're fine.

If you look at the other thread I started about reapplying the paste on my MBP, you will see that I did not damage the battery cover tabs. I didn't even bend the battery pull tab. To avoid bending that tab, I lifted from the plastic piece right near the battery connector. I do in fact have a triwing screwdriver to remove the battery... So...

 

[AlphaDogg]

I recently got my MBP replaced with a 2011 2.4GHz i5. It runs much hotter under load (~22ºC), and I am considering reapplying thermal paste. Worth it? I am confident in my skills, but I just am not sure if it is worth the time and effort, especially since I enjoy working on my bicycle much more.

 

[miles01110]

I recently got my MBP replaced with a 2011 2.4GHz i5. It runs much hotter under load (~22ºC), and I am considering reapplying thermal paste. Worth it? I am confident in my skills, but I just am not sure if it is worth the time and effort, especially since I enjoy working on my bicycle much more.

Re-applying thermal paste only makes a difference if your machine is shutting down due to overheating.

 

[bozz2006]

Re-applying thermal paste only makes a difference if your machine is shutting down due to overheating.

That's just not true. It can significantly lower CPU temps if they got a lousy application of thenthermal pad from the factory. Reapplying arctic silver to my old 2008 MacBook lowered low-stress temps by 20 degrees F and significantly improved cooling performance while using Flash, which basically kicks my old C2D's butt.

 

[miles01110]

That's just not true. It can significantly lower CPU temps if they got a lousy application of thenthermal pad from the factory. Reapplying arctic silver to my old 2008 MacBook lowered low-stress temps by 20 degrees F and significantly improved cooling performance while using Flash, which basically kicks my old C2D's butt.

Reducing the temperature has no effect on the practical life of your machine. Thus, re-applying thermal paste is pointless unless your computer is shutting down from overheating (or perhaps if it's too hot on your lap, but a few degrees C doesn't really make a difference here either).

 

[bozz2006]

Reducing the temperature has no effect on the practical life of your machine. Thus, re-applying thermal paste is pointless unless your computer is shutting down from overheating (or perhaps if it's too hot on your lap, but a few degrees C doesn't really make a difference here either).

Not everyone holds the same definition of "pointless" as you. It quieted my fans a lot. That was what I wanted, and that was the result I got.

 

[miles01110]

Not everyone holds the same definition of "pointless" as you. It quieted my fans a lot. That was what I wanted, that was what I got.

Valid point. However, most threads about re-applying thermal paste concern CPU temperatures when under full load. Reapplying the paste isn't going to help the fans in this scenario, but it probably does help reduce the fan noise when idling/casual usage.

 

[bozz2006]

As I said, this computer is "old" and it sees pretty light duty; running a high-def flash video is about all it can handle. Now the fans don't spin up nearly as high while watching flash videos, so even under "load", it's been a big improvement.

 

[phpmaven]

I recently got my MBP replaced with a 2011 2.4GHz i5. It runs much hotter under load (~22ºC), and I am considering reapplying thermal paste. Worth it? I am confident in my skills, but I just am not sure if it is worth the time and effort, especially since I enjoy working on my bicycle much more.

I've watched the videos of people doing this, and I think it's way too risky. All you would have to do is pull a ribbon cable a bit too hard or accidentally break a component and then you would be screwed. All to cut a few degrees of of the temp? I think it's nutty, but that's just me.

 

[Astroboy907]

I've watched the videos of people doing this, and I think it's way too risky. All you would have to do is pull a ribbon cable a bit too hard or accidentally break a component and then you would be screwed. All to cut a few degrees of of the temp? I think it's nutty, but that's just me.

Hahahaha... its really not as fragile as you think. I worked on a late 2008 macbook pro. It had a broken backlight fuse, which I took off and soldered a new one in, disassembled the entire computer 4 times, including the display assembly, and took the logic board out 6 times, worked without a static strap, etc etc etc, and the computer lives. And the ribbon cables? Not fragile, unless you put a lot of sideways torque on them.

I am now considering putting some thermal on my MBP.... I went from whole computer to disassembled in 15 min, so it would take me just short of an hour to get thermal paste in there....

 

[AlphaDogg]

I've watched the videos of people doing this, and I think it's way too risky. All you would have to do is pull a ribbon cable a bit too hard or accidentally break a component and then you would be screwed. All to cut a few degrees of of the temp? I think it's nutty, but that's just me.

I am the OP. I did this on my old 2010 MBP, and it went without any issues. I ended up doing it three or four times because I was not happy with the results the first two or three times.

 

[Astroboy907]

I am the OP. I did this on my old 2010 MBP, and it went without any issues. I ended up doing it three or four times because I was not happy with the results the first two or three times.

It's not hard- ive never done thermal paste but I guess it the temps start bugging me I will look into it. I have gotten over the fears of disassembling a macbook a long time ago. Scared the **** out of me the first time I did it. Especially when I was testing the LCD backlight at 24v and it sparked.... gah! Its fine though

 

[Queen6]

My Early 2008 4.1 MBP (2.4 C2D) has been limping along for the last four months on one fan, ambient temp is rarely below 25C (right now 27C). it runs a little hotter, it has never shutdown due to overheating, I still have the same use pattern, if I need to push it, I do. I have never considered replacing the thermal paste on this Mac or any other including it`s replacement a 2.4 i7 MBP.

New fans arrived today, and the old ones will be swapped out, the only thing that may happen for by reapplying the thermal paste is seeing a number change on a temperature monitor, and I rather expect to see a bigger change once I clean out the desert that killed the fans and is most likely clogging the cooling system

Right now the 4.1 MBP has 40+ tabs in Chrome open, iTunes, Activity Monitor, Netshade, several Finder windows, Freerapid and the temp is 60C, no fan noise. I find in general people get far too excited about the temperature that Mac`s run at. This MBP I am posting on has been running virtually non stop for over four years, only sleeping during traveling. Sometimes running at maximum capacity for days on end and I have little doubt there is still many years of practical use left in the machine. A Mac like any computer is simply a tool, if it`s broken fix it, if not use it...

If I want a cooler Mac, I will just buy the next generation and that has nothing to do with how hot it runs

 

[AlphaDogg]

I'll take a detour on my afternoon bike ride and stop at MicroCenter for a tube of Arctic Silver 5, because I hear it's better than the Arctic Silver Ceramique that I have. What do you guys think? I can use my Ceramique if the difference is negligible.

 

[Astroboy907]

My Early 2008 4.1 MBP (2.4 C2D) has been limping along for the last four months on one fan, ambient temp is rarely below 25C (right now 27C). it runs a little hotter, it has never shutdown due to overheating, I still have the same use pattern, if I need to push it, I do. I have never considered replacing the thermal paste on this Mac or any other including it`s replacement a 2.4 i7 MBP.

New fans arrived today, and the old ones will be swapped out, the only thing that may happen for by reapplying the thermal paste is seeing a number change on a temperature monitor, and I rather expect to see a bigger change once I clean out the desert that killed the fans and is most likely clogging the cooling system

Right now the 4.1 MBP has 40+ tabs in Chrome open, iTunes, Activity Monitor, Netshade, several Finder windows, Freerapid and the temp is 60C, no fan noise. I find in general people get far too excited about the temperature that Mac`s run at. This MBP I am posting on has been running virtually non stop for over four years, only sleeping during traveling. Sometimes running at maximum capacity for days on end and I have little doubt there is still many years of practical use left in the machine. A Mac like any computer is simply a tool, if it`s broken fix it, if not use it...

If I want a cooler Mac, I will just buy the next generation and that has nothing to do with how hot it runs

When cleaning, use compressed air, but be careful about it
I did it to mine a few days ago during a teardown. Almost choked on all the dust coming out of it (I dont know where the guy who owned it lives... in a closet? idk, huge amounts of dust). Just make sure you get the fans, heatsink fins (if it has them), etc. Maybe around the cores too. Mine ran ~5c cooler after a nice clean up.

I do agree macs are built to last, but then you have the group of people concerned with nothing but pushing their computers to the max, by whatever means necessary, and who are crazy enough to tear down the whole thing for a few degrees in temp.

p.s Ive heard compressed air can generate a static charge, but its never done anything to my boards. Use at your own risk.

 

[AlphaDogg]

I've decided that the difference in pastes is negligible and I will skip my afternoon bike ride in favor or reapplying thermal paste (AS Ceramique). I'll also take out my OptiBay, because it is having a negative effect on my battery.

 

[AlphaDogg]

Well, I just applied AS Ceramique. I see no practical difference between stock and my paste. Under load, it is hovering around 93ºC, whereas it hovered around 94ºC previously. Idle, it sits at about 47ºC, whereas it hovered around 48-49ºC.

 

[AlphaDogg]

At least the temps didn't go up!

AS Ceramique has a curing time period. I'll post back in a week and let you guys know if it runs cooler then.

 

[HarryKNN21]

I did that, even though I have just been using my refurbished MacBook Pro for about six months. Before I reapplied the thermal paste when I loaded the CPU up, like exporting 1080p video clips and in the middle of a large file transfer, the CPU temperature raised up to 85C or more and the fan just is not powerful enough to cool anything down.

Even I bought Arctic MX-4 in Hong Kong, it just costed me USD $9, doing this to protect the CPU is better than spending the MBP's life in a repair shop isn't it?

When you take away the heat sink of your MacBook Pro, I believe what you are going to see will not stop you from reapplying the thermal paste yourself.

Reducing the temperature has no effect on the practical life of your machine. Thus, re-applying thermal paste is pointless unless your computer is shutting down from overheating (or perhaps if it's too hot on your lap, but a few degrees C doesn't really make a difference here either).

The CPU will cool itself down at max TDP by slowing itself down. I don't know about your usage of your machine but I still think it is pointless to make duel with the thermal issues when I just want to transfer a 10GB file to my Firewire HDD.

 

[Queen6]

Well I finally ripped out the old fans on my Early 2008 MBP (4.1 2.4 C2D) cleaned up all the heat-sync `s, installed the new fans and I am only seeing about 5C difference in CPU temp than when the MBP was limping along on one fan, however it does cool down faster and the general sound level is greatly reduced.

GPU temps see the greatest reduction, which is no bad thing given it`s potentially one of the stricken Nvidia chips and well out of any warrantee surport. Anyway the 4.1 one will shortly be passed to my daughter, the 8.2 MBP will finally take over fully as primary, and with any luck Apple will be releasing the new MBP soon which may be worth a look, after all it`s always wise to have a back up

I use Temperature Monitor from Marcel Bresink which gives a very comprehensive picture of a Mac`s thermal performance. Replacing the fans was well worth and relatively simple thank`s to iFixit`s excellent guide. I have more than had my money`s worth out of this Mac, and it deserves to continue to be a useful system

So back to the original question about replacing the thermal paste, my opinion is if you have the time, the skill, and inclination have at it, fun for the curious, however in reality given my observations with busted fans and now new ones and clean heat-sync `s most likely a waste of time, with older machines removing the accumulated dust from the cooling system is most likely to bring the greatest reduction in temperature. Apple are very measured and likely apply apply the thermal paste the way they for some reason be technical or economic...