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Tips please for applying Thermal Paste to CPU's of G5 2x2GHz

Hi,


I am about to renew the thermal paste between the CPU cores and heatsinks of my G5 PPC dual 2GHz (june 2004 model)

I have never done such thing before, I wonder if anyone got useful tips, before I start this operation.

In case you're wondering why I do this, please read my previous thread here:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3301670

Replacing the thermal paste was recommended by BDAqua, who seems to know a lot about Mac's, according to his always helpful answers and his level on this forum.

I had to wait a while for the delivery, but it finally arrived: I have Arctic Silver 5 to do this job.


First:

- Removal of the old thermal paste: what product do I use best?

- Applying the paste: I read somewhere: size of a pea

some sources say you have to spread it out with an old bankcard or so, others say you don't need to do that, that the paste will spread by just pressing the heatsink against the core when you tighten the screws. Now what's the correct answer?

- Anything else I should be aware of?


I really hope I don't mess this up.

 G5 PPC dual 2GHz (june 2004 model) / 3.5GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Sep 24, 2011 2:54 PM

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Posted on Sep 24, 2011 3:12 PM

Hi again, expect some even better helpers to drop in on this question shortly, but...


http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/274


Sadly, Arctic Silver only covers Intel & AMD...


http://www.arcticsilver.com/methods.html

3 replies

Sep 24, 2011 8:52 PM in response to --A--C--

Non acetone based nail polish remover or isoprophy alcohol works well for removal.

Avoid products with high water content.


Be VERY careful with Arctic Silver 5. It is electrically capacitive, unlike more modern,more efficient compounds.

Excess compound can short your processors, turning them to junk.


Spread the compound thinly and evenly, but don't spread as far as the exterior edges of the chip.

Contact pressure will do that.

Sep 29, 2011 1:27 PM in response to BDAqua

Indeed, a bit strange that they don't suggest methods for other cpu cores then intel and amd.

Apparently there are four methods: dot, spread, horizontal line, vertical line.

After reading all of them, I decided that spreading would be the most safe method to try out.


I was exited to try if it solved the problem, but all work was in vain:

The G5 remains dead, no sign of life when I push the button.

Well at least I learned how to apply Thermal Paste, too bad it didn't help, but still thanks to both for your time.

Tips please for applying Thermal Paste to CPU's of G5 2x2GHz

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