Macbook pro 2012 - Thermal paste replacement time?

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Level 1

27 points

Macbook pro 2012 - Thermal paste replacement time?

Hello!

My macbook pro mid-2012 is roughly 1 year old. I was wondering what is the recommended time frame to replace the thermal paste. With my old 2010 macbook I replaced the grease several years later, but I dont wanna make the same mistake again.

So how long do you guys think the crappy apple thermal paste can handle before the performance starts dropping and heat starts increasing?

On another note, I think it's common knowledge that factory thermal paste must be replaced in all notebooks/laptops, no matter the brand. However, I also heard that apple changed the manufacturing process after 2011, and all 2012 models had their thermal pastes decently applier. I'm not sure if thats just a rumor though.

What do you think?

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on May 19, 2014 8:39 AM

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Answer 1

timelover Author

Level 1

27 points

May 19, 2014 8:58 AM in response to TheDave413

Not regular maintenance, but it's known the thermal paste loses its efficacy after some time. I was just wondeering how long is that for the mid 2012 macbook pro.

And of course, manufacturers wont ever recommend that. Can you imagine you grandma tearing a laptop appart? No. Granted that this is for advanced users looking for more performance, less heat.

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Answer 2

TheDave413

Level 4

1,012 points

May 19, 2014 1:03 PM in response to timelover

Granted, this sort of thing likely voids your warranty (as you noted, it's not something Apple recommends or intends for the user to do). So you're certainly taking the chances into your own hands.

I suppose the best way to know would be to get an app or tool that can help you monitor the CPU temperature. Keep an eye on it, and if it starts to run hotter on a regular basis, consider cracking it open and "topping it off".

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Answer 3

timelover Author

Level 1

27 points

May 19, 2014 1:22 PM in response to TheDave413

Yes I thought about something like that. The problem lies in identifying the temperature. How to know if it's out of the ordinary, if if represents a flaw in fact? Are there some universal guidelines for that?

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Answer 4

Apr 15, 2017 3:02 PM in response to timelover

I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM SMC FAN CONTROL SAFES ME CPU TEMPERATURE, BUT SOMETIME I HAVE TO MAKE THE FAN GO TO FAST , SO I RESEARCH ONLINE AND THE BEST OPTION IS TO CHANGE THE THERMAL PASTE AND THE CPU SINK BUT BE CAREFUL TAKE TO A TECHNICIAN THAT KNOWS HOW TO CHANGE , DO NOT TAKE THE RISK TO CHANGE IT BY YOURSELF IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT ARE YOU DOING . THIS IS THE SOLUTION.

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Answer 5

TheDave413

Level 4

1,012 points

May 19, 2014 8:49 AM in response to timelover

I've never heard of any computer manufacturer recommending the user replace the thermal paste, nor have I ever heard is should be done as "regular maintenance".

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Answer 6

TheDave413

Level 4

1,012 points

May 20, 2014 6:32 AM in response to timelover

I'd just keep notes or a log. Heck, use Excel or Numbers or the like to turn the numbers into a chart of graph, for an easy visual representation. Very easy to see a trend then!

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