Thermal paste change in MacBook Pro 16" 2019

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Thermal paste change in MacBook Pro 16" 2019

Hi,

Today I called my local Apple authorized service to get a quote on changing thermal paste and cleaning of my MacBook as it suddenly started to overheat. Resetting SMC seems to fix the problem, but I'd like to keep my computer in as good condition as I can, so I want it to be cleaned.

I've been told that they can not tell me the price now, and I'll need to send my computer to service first, because they have to change the whole "bottom case". They claimed that it's Apple's directive to change the wole part (of course on my expense). I'll be happy to pay for the cleaning service, as it's quite hard, but I don't want to spend a fortune on a part that does not have to be changed...

I've seen people change it without replacing anything, so I'm sure that it's possible.

Did they lie to me?

If no, what is going on with the whole Apple's ecology thing? It would be clearly a waste of material.

I paid a lot of money to get this computer. That's not how a service for a premium device should work.

If you had your MacBook Pro 16" recently cleaned by authorized service, please, can you share information if they really changed the whole "bottom case"?

Best regards,

Denis.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 11.4

Posted on Jun 12, 2021 4:04 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 12, 2021 9:18 AM in response to buzom

Just as BobTheFisherman says, if you press the issue with Apple they have only ONE recourse, to replace the mainboard. If no fault is found, this will be at your expense.

Your MacBook Pro 16-in model will not benefit from thermal paste replacement.

If you find it is overheating my subsequent post will add some insight.

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Answer 2

Jun 12, 2021 9:18 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

This computer was built with a ninth generation 14nm Intel processor. The only way to meet the target performance was to make it a six or eight core processor. This processor generates an enormous burst of heat when it does Turbo Boost, and there is only one cooling rail shared by both the CPU and GPU. So getting Either side too hot ramps up the fans.

This processor was supposed to be an eleventh-generation 7nm processor, but intel is three years late, and is only starting to ship its tenth generation 10nm processors now.

Apple DID redesign the cooling system for this specific Mac. New, high-efficiency fans are used. But for some uses, that is still not enough.

Some of the best advice is to install Turbo Boost Switcher and turn off CPU Turbo Boost. This reduces the huge sudden overheating brought on by Turbo Boost, that simply does not translate into real-world performance gains.

For external displays, changing away from HDMI to DisplayPort family (or to DisplayPort over ThunderBolt or USB-C) will reduce the Voltages and slightly reduce the heat generated. It is a good thing to do, but it may not be enough to solve this issue by itself.

How to fix your 16-in MacBook Pro (Don’t return it!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkmdHVfk4XE

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Answer 3

Jun 12, 2021 8:43 AM in response to buzom

Newer Macs don't have CPUs or any other component that use sockets to attach to the logic board. You can't remove components. The whole logic board needs replacement if there is a component issue.

I think you are stuck in the old age of computers when RAM, CPUs, and other components were not souldered to the logic board. Who did you see remove a CPU from a Mac and what model/year computer was it.

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Thermal paste change in MacBook Pro 16" 2019

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