this post was submitted on 08 Mar 2024
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I repasted my Dell XPS 9500, I can't believe it helped this much (lemmy.ml)
submitted 8 months ago by fxdave@lemmy.ml to c/linux_gaming@lemmy.ml
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Hey everyone,

Just wanted to share my recent experience with gaming on my laptop. While playing CS:GO was manageable, CS2 was a different story. My laptop kept hitting thermal limits, causing frustrating performance drops. So, I decided to do it myself and repaste it.

I wrote a simple script to monitor my temperatures and frequencies: thermalog script.

The results speak for themselves: thermalog results.

I wasn't even near to thermal limit even when I played in 2K instead of FHD.

I used Arctic MX-6. (I bought liquid metal also as a backup plan, but luckily I don't need it). I'm more than happy with the results.

My laptop is four years old, I highly recommend giving it a go if you're facing similar thermal issues.

Happy gaming!

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[–] electricprism@lemmy.ml 20 points 8 months ago (1 children)

In my experience the default thermal pads have always been trash.

[–] 737@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 8 months ago

thermal pads in general tend to be very bad

[–] haui_lemmy@lemmy.giftedmc.com 11 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I‘ve recently repasted a 10+ yr old laptop which had crusted thermal pads on it. The laptop fans ran on full blast just being on. After the repaste they actually toned down to a level where the device was usable for an extended period. Pads would have been good though.

[–] fxdave@lemmy.ml 3 points 8 months ago

I bought pads as well but the original ones didn't break. I wanted to replace them with my new one, however i found the new one is more stiff while the original is soft that components can sink into it. I didn't know that it's a thing. So i kept the original. (If anybody is interested there were 0.5mm and 1mm pads on the cooler.)

[–] MonkderZweite@feddit.ch 9 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Some manufacturers don't even remove the protective plastic before pasting and most just use the cheapest grease availlable.

My thinkpad got from notoriously loud to being mostly passive with some grease at the right places.

[–] FuckyWucky@hexbear.net 4 points 8 months ago (5 children)

be careful, if its paste ive seen it leaking out causing parts of the die to not make proper contact eventually killing the CPU/GPU.

i would suggest getting PTM7950 pads, these don't pump out.

[–] Grass@sh.itjust.works 4 points 8 months ago

I put ptm in my steam deck and the numbers are better and the heat coming out of the vent now is kinda scary but that means it's not on the apu I guess. Next is the extra heat pipes mod and also ptm pad for my ancient laptop. It already had a repaste and the exhaust increase is also pretty impressive with just that.

[–] MonkderZweite@feddit.ch 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Ricecorn-size so it doesn't spill out.

[–] Lojcs@lemm.ee 2 points 8 months ago

The problem described is not the paste getting outside, it's not enough staying inside.

[–] Shawdow194@kbin.social 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I've always used paste- never heard of these. I'll totally check them out! I assume they are fine for any CPU/GPU applications as long as they fit? I always lose my paste tubes so having a sheet of these might be easier to keep track of

[–] Glitch@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 8 months ago

I thought it was just me! I swear I have like 4 tubes but can't find them when I desire to

[–] itsmect@monero.town 2 points 8 months ago

Do not use "paste" that already has a low viscosity at room temp, it will get more liquid as it heats up. Good thermal paste doesn't even cost much, and a syringe last for years of regular service on multiple devices. Repasting is not difficult.

[–] electricprism@lemmy.ml 0 points 8 months ago

Lifehack: Grab any 1970s 1 cent pure copper penny if you are worried about leakage and have the clearance and use that instead. It's nonsense but hilarious. Memory is hazy but I've seen significant gains from this in the past.

Also it's 10,000 - 100,000 times cheaper as a bonus.