Applying thermal paste

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Applying thermal paste

Simple question: I'm interested in applying Arctic Silver 5 to my MacBook Pro 17, as I usually do on all my laptops. (Main reason: every single manufacturer ***** at applying "el cheapo" thermal paste to their laptops. Apple isn't the exception.) Will this void my warranty?

Thanks;

MacBook Pro 17, Windows 7

Posted on Jan 28, 2010 2:33 PM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

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Jan 28, 2010 2:39 PM in response to holobyted

Welcome to Apple Discussions.

Could you provide a link to the product you are considering?

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Answer 2

holobyted Author

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Jan 28, 2010 2:42 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks. Sure, AS5 is this: www.arcticsilver.com/as5.htm

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

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Jan 28, 2010 2:51 PM in response to holobyted

You want to apply that to the interior of a MBP? If yes I'm pretty certain that would totally void any Apple warranty you had.

Here is a link to the warranty, I think if you read it you will see what I mean.

It specifically says, *"This warranty does not apply: (g) to a product or part that has been modified to alter functionality or capability without the written permission of Apple;"*

http://images.apple.com/legal/warranty/docs/cpuwarranty.pdf

Regards,

Roger

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Answer 4

holobyted Author

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Jan 28, 2010 2:58 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Actually, thermal paste goes between the CPU/GPU and the heatsink and improves heat transfer. I've been reading and so far it says something along the lines of "open it, but if you screw up, we won't help. if you don't screw up, it's all cool."

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Answer 5

rkaufmann87

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148,494 points

Jan 28, 2010 3:03 PM in response to holobyted

Your call but IMHO it's more wise to get AppleCare and if it breaks it's Apples problem. If I were an Apple Tech and opened up the machine and saw that stuff I'd button it right back up and say the warranty has been voided by an unauthorized modification. But remember that's my opinion, if you really want to know see if you can get Apple's consent.

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Answer 6

evan127

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Jan 29, 2010 4:10 PM in response to holobyted

Is there something wrong with the "thermal paste" in your Mac right now?

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Answer 7

holobyted Author

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Jan 29, 2010 4:23 PM in response to evan127

I get pretty high idle temps; around 60-70 C while idling on Windows. Since Mac OS can use the 9400M, it doesn't have that problem.

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Answer 8

eww

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Jan 29, 2010 6:05 PM in response to holobyted

I doubt that replacing the thermal paste in your MBP is likely to overcome Windows' inability to control the machine's fans appropriately. That's the real issue. What you've observed doesn't indicate anything about the thermal paste used by Apple at all: it indicates only that Windows doesn't spin the fans up when you'd like it to. Temps of 60-70°C pose no danger to the MBP.

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Answer 9

holobyted Author

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Jan 29, 2010 7:17 PM in response to eww

That's not true. Windows CAN control the fans; I actually have them cranked up to 5700 RPM. I know that temps of 60-70C aren't dangerous to the MBP, but it sure as **** is annoying to my hands.

The CPU has been undervolted, but the real issue is Windows using the 9600M, which generates a LOT more heat than the 9400M. Until Apple decides to stop blocking Windows/Linux from accessing the 9400M, "anything other than Mac OS X will generate heat." And, for the record, I do get the same issue under Ubuntu.

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Answer 10

ECWH

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Jan 30, 2010 5:28 AM in response to holobyted

Huh, my last reply on this message was moderated out of this thread. It would appear you can't say certain things in these discussion forums. Sarcasm: Go moderators.

However, the core of what I said was that I would wait until the unit is OOW before making any mods. As soon as you modify a name branded product is no longer the package that you originally purchased from the manufacturer. No manufacturer will warranty product modified outside of its' original design parameters.

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