On Aug 26, 2010, at 1:01 PM, J. R. Rosen wrote: > As far as the thermal paste, I have heard not to over-do putting it on, but > there needs to be enough the seat the parts together for proper cooling. And > to definitely not block the cooling "shafts" that are in those blocks, or > pads that conduct the cooling. > > The thermal paste I purchased is GELID Solutions Thermal Compound. The > feedback from purchasers was really good, so I chose this as it comes with a > little spatula to spread the compound. > > Any secrets in applying the paste to where it doesn't seep into the cooling > ducts? I haven't opened it up yet, waiting for the parts and the time, so I > don't know how big or small those duct holes are. I guess you could roll-up > a small piece of paper and put it in the hole, then let it expand to size, > then paint the paste around that. I don't know, but am open to your learned > suggestions.
Yep, just a little dab of the thermal paste will be all you need. And don't worry about "cooling ducts." There's no such thing where the thermal paste is applied. What you will see when you take the bottom case away from the top (pull it gently toward you and then rotate it down from the "top", and make sure the optical drive door is rotated to the right about 90 degrees first) is that you have to disconnect a bunch of cables and wires in order to separate the bottom part with the logic board, etc. from the top or dome part. Note carefully how all those cables are routed before you start disconnecting them. Be warned that in your model it is difficult to remove the video cable from the logic board. Why? There is a black cap over the actual connector which keeps the connector firmly in place. It is glued to the logic board with sticky tape-type stuff. You have to carefully pry the black cap up and off the board without damaging anything around it before you can disconnect the video cable. My advice would be to disconnect everything *but* that video cable, then put a wadded up towel or something similar under the logic board assembly to take the stress off the video cable. You may have to rotate the dome part to get the right and least stressful position. You'll find that will give you enough space to get to everything, and you'll save yourself a major headache and prevent posssible damage. With the bottom of the computer resting on the towel, look at where the four T-15 bolts come through the bottom case. You will see that the bolts go right through the two pads where old thermal pads/paste/film needs to be removed and replaced. You will not see any "cooling ducts." You will see an enclosed cooling "pipe" leading from the cpu area over to both pads. That pipe is filled with a material that facilitates rapid transfer of heat. So don't worry about using anything more than a small ball of thermal paste on each pad. Spread it thinly until each pad surface is coated. Keep in mind that only a very thin coat is needed to fill the microscopic hills and valleys of the two mating surfaces on each pad. Enjoy! -- Jim -- You received this message because you are a member of the iMac Group, a group for those using Apple iMacs and eMacs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/imac/list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To leave this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/imaclist
