How much thermal paste should you apply for a laptop?

[steffeeh]

When applying thermal paste on a desktop you typically have the guideline of applying a "pea" of thermal paste (unless you go experimental of course).
But the IHS of the CPU and the GPU in a laptop are much smaller, so I feel I need some sort of guideline so that I don't apply too much causing it to overspill, neither so that I get overcausious and apply way too little.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Unfortunately "pea" is a bad description ... typical pea would be too much and application method varies by cooler and TIM type.

http://archive.benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=170&Itemid=1

 

[steffeeh]

So how much should you apply for a laptop?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

There is usually little difference between the physical size of the GPU / CPU on desktops versus gaming oriented laptops.

Read the bottom of page 5 from the above article
http://archive.benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=170&Itemid=1&limit=1&limitstart=4

 

[steffeeh]

In my case there is. The very reason I ask is because I've already opened up my laptop before, and noticed how small the IHS was.. it's like the same size as the actual CPU chip below the IHS on a desktop CPU, hence why I obviously need to be more careful not to put too much thermal paste on it, but I have no rule of thumb to guide me for my laptop.
My laptop isn't a gaming laptop, but more of a regular medium-range laptop that I want to freshen up a bit, including applying new thermal paste as it's 2 years old and my fan starts to go up a little more than necessary imo.

 

[mjslakeridge]

I wouldn't think the thermal paste is bad after just 2 years. Have you blown/vacuumed out the ports where the laptop takes in air for cooling? We did this on our office laptops a while back and it made a pretty big difference in the operating temps.

 

[steffeeh]

Gonna do that as well. I also have better thermal paste at my disposal so I'll apply that instead. This bad boy is having a total makeover.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

In my case there is. The very reason I ask is because I've already opened up my laptop before, and noticed how small the IHS was.. it's like the same size as the actual CPU chip below the IHS on a desktop CPU, hence why I obviously need to be more careful not to put too much thermal paste on it, but I have no rule of thumb to guide me for my laptop.
My laptop isn't a gaming laptop, but more of a regular medium-range laptop that I want to freshen up a bit, including applying new thermal paste as it's 2 years old and my fan starts to go up a little more than necessary imo.

I'd expect that a CPU that size would be incapable of playing games very well.

However, it really doesn't matter. Using the method I suggested on the bottom of page 5 of that article, it doesn't matter if the IHS is the size of single waffle hole or or the size of an entire waffle.

If you have already unseated the TIM and exposed to air, it has should be replaced regardless of how old it is. Make sure to clean all surfaces with Indigo Extreme Cleaner or, if unavailable, 90+% Iso alcohol (32 oz of 91% is $2,58 at Walmart)

This is the best and more than likely the cheapest TIM you gonna find ... comes direct from OEM and not repackaged and relabeled.

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/mDPfrH/masscool-thermal-paste-g751

All the performance of AS5 but without the curing and capacitance issues ... and yes, make sure especially when using in lappie that whatever you use has no capacitance issues.

http://archive.benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=62&limit=1&limitstart=12

 

[mjslakeridge]

If you are really not sure how much thermal paste to use on this laptop, why not do a test, applying less than you think you would need and then take the cooler off and observe whether it spread out to cover the area it should.

Then clean it off both surfaces again, and adjust the amount accordingly, if necessary. Don't leave the test paste on and reapply the cooler, as air pockets may occur.