Where can I find GPU thermal pads used in laptops?

[phaZed]

I remember seeing a post some time ago about this but can't seem to find it.

Where can I find the pink or blue thermal foam pads that are commonly found on laptop GPUs? I've been googling my butt off but can't seem to come up with anything but XBOX repair kits and thermal tape which is too thin for my use.

 

[PCX]

I remember seeing a post some time ago about this but can't seem to find it.

Where can I find the pink or blue thermal foam pads that are commonly found on laptop GPUs? I've been googling my butt off but can't seem to come up with anything but XBOX repair kits and thermal tape which is too thin for my use.

You will have a hard time finding those since most people in their right mind would never CHOOSE to use them. If you are trying to find one for a GPU with overheating issues (or even if not) I would look for copper shims. They work way better and can drop the temperature down 10-20 degrees.

 

[Knightsman]

Amazon has them



.............................................

 

[Mr.Mike]

I agree with PCX. I just had a copper shim attached to a GPU on a dv7. With new thermal paste and the shim, it's like a new computer.

 

[gazza]

I agree were possible use copper shims like these on found on ebay http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_...r+shime&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313 combined with reputable thermal paste. Just be sure you get the right size and thickness of the shim otherwise you may find it puts other components out of alignment.

 

[shamrin]

Wow. eBay in the US has 10 pages of copper shim sellers, most of them referring to dvx000. Are there really that many buyers out there shimming these things?

 

[abyssinian]

Here are just a few choices (1423 to be precise) ...
http://search.digikey.com/us/en/cat...ent/thermal-pads-sheets/1179751?k=thermal pad
Mauser almost certainly carries them as well.

Personally, I'm not a fan of copper shims...seen too many failures. If it were that simple, the manufacturers would simply spec the heat sinks a couple of millimeters closer to the board and use compound themselves. I believe thermal pads are used for their flexible characteristics...something copper shims fall short on.

 

[PCX]

Wow. eBay in the US has 10 pages of copper shim sellers, most of them referring to dvx000. Are there really that many buyers out there shimming these things?

Yep, they wouldn't sell otherwise.

Here are just a few choices (1423 to be precise) ...
http://search.digikey.com/us/en/cat...ent/thermal-pads-sheets/1179751?k=thermal pad
Mauser almost certainly carries them as well.

Personally, I'm not a fan of copper shims...seen too many failures. If it were that simple, the manufacturers would simply spec the heat sinks a couple of millimeters closer to the board and use compound themselves. I believe thermal pads are used for their flexible characteristics...something copper shims fall short on.

I completely agree, its a design flaw. Simply put, you cant fix stupid. However, in a pinch it can most certainly help and extend the life of a laptop. It's not a repair that I offer, but if I am cleaning out a system or dealing with an overheating issue that is not necessarily causing (or has already caused) a failure, then I will do it for good measure. In general though, I do not do repairs (save for software issues) that I cannot warranty. Again, you cant fix stupid, so you can really warranty stupid.

 

[phaZed]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. RedFox had the answer:

Thermal Conductive Silicone Pad

I got a 4"x4" sheet of 1mm and 2mm for $15.00. Be careful if you order these things.. they have an energy rating.. I got the 5.0W/mK type, which is one of the more efficient types.

I would agree with everyone here.. I try not to use the pads if I can but I have a system here (Gateway) in which the heat sink does not sit flat on the GPU and has about 1-2mm of space between them.

I make my own shims and have some pure copper sheets of different thicknesses, but because the heat sink doesn't make good contact with the shim it still gets HOT.

 

[PCX]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. RedFox had the answer:

Thermal Conductive Silicone Pad

I got a 4"x4" sheet of 1mm and 2mm for $15.00. Be careful if you order these things.. they have an energy rating.. I got the 5.0W/mK type, which is one of the more efficient types.

I would agree with everyone here.. I try not to use the pads if I can but I have a system here (Gateway) in which the heat sink does not sit flat on the GPU and has about 1-2mm of space between them.

I make my own shims and have some pure copper sheets of different thicknesses, but because the heat sink doesn't make good contact with the shim it still gets HOT.

You can't find shim of the right size? You can also stack shims too, just make sure you use some thermal compound between them and use a press.

 

[Mr.Mike]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. RedFox had the answer:

Thermal Conductive Silicone Pad

I got a 4"x4" sheet of 1mm and 2mm for $15.00. Be careful if you order these things.. they have an energy rating.. I got the 5.0W/mK type, which is one of the more efficient types.

I would agree with everyone here.. I try not to use the pads if I can but I have a system here (Gateway) in which the heat sink does not sit flat on the GPU and has about 1-2mm of space between them.

I make my own shims and have some pure copper sheets of different thicknesses, but because the heat sink doesn't make good contact with the shim it still gets HOT.

1-2mm might as well be 10-20mm! No doubt the shim-sandwich (stacking) mentioned by PCX would work if copper is the choice.

 

[phaZed]

1-2mm might as well be 10-20mm! No doubt the shim-sandwich (stacking) mentioned by PCX would work if copper is the choice.

I tried stacking, but the problem still remains.. which is why I am going with the pads. The problem lies in the fact that the heatsink has a visible slant compared to the GPU. There is no heat pipe or anything to "bend" to make it sit level and straight on the GPU as the CPU is dictating where and how the assembly sits. I tried sandwiching a few shims with compound between them but the temps were still hot and anything graphically intensive (Movie) causes instant shutdown. The shims just don't seem to be able to compensate. I can apply pressure and bring the temps down, but I am essentially flexing the MOBO to achieve a flat-sitting shim! SO, next time this comes around, thermal pads it is.

EDIT: It had a blue silicone pad that came apart (always!) during removal that was working just fine before I fixed an unrelated issue.

 

[PCX]

I tried stacking, but the problem still remains.. which is why I am going with the pads. The problem lies in the fact that the heatsink has a visible slant compared to the GPU. There is no heat pipe or anything to "bend" to make it sit level and straight on the GPU as the CPU is dictating where and how the assembly sits. I tried sandwiching a few shims with compound between them but the temps were still hot and anything graphically intensive (Movie) causes instant shutdown. The shims just don't seem to be able to compensate. I can apply pressure and bring the temps down, but I am essentially flexing the MOBO to achieve a flat-sitting shim! SO, next time this comes around, thermal pads it is.

EDIT: It had a blue silicone pad that came apart (always!) during removal that was working just fine before I fixed an unrelated issue.

Wow, that sucks. The problem is those pads do almost nothing to help. Good luck though man, I really hope it does the job.

 

[phaZed]

Wow, that sucks. The problem is those pads do almost nothing to help. Good luck though man, I really hope it does the job.

I know it I usually remove them and put grease and/or shims myself.. so I wasn't too heartbroken when the original broke apart.. in hindsight, I wish I were a bit gentler!

 

[Mr.Mike]

I know it I usually remove them and put grease and/or shims myself.. so I wasn't too heartbroken when the original broke apart.. in hindsight, I wish I were a bit gentler!

Two good things about this post: 1. Copper shims are not always the answer for this sort of issue. 2. Reminder to be gentler is well taken!

 

[PCX]

Two good things about this post: 1. Copper shims are not always the answer for this sort of issue. 2. Reminder to be gentler is well taken!

I am humbled.

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