Did I use too little thermal paste? Nitro AN 515-51

Hahaha
Hahaha Member Posts: 243 Practitioner WiFi Icon
edited February 2021 in Nitro Gaming
Nitro AN 515-51
I used to apply it alright but the last time (two days ago), I tried changing the usual way I do it. I used the bare minimum of paste and spread it myself to make sure there was enough to cover the surface completely. Well, it did cover them well, but I have been having a little trouble with games today, i.e., one day after application. Frame drops, freezing and a max CPU temp of 100C. Compared to before, it feels like I somehow made it worse :pensive:

Before, there used to be a fairly thick layer after spreading it out. This time, I got it as thin as I could using the spatula. So thin is the layer that running the spatula over it even once again would bare the metal underneath. I had my doubts about making it so thin but I heard that it's better to have less than more because the plates themselves are better conductors than the paste, and thus, the paste is only meant to fill the minute bumps in the surface.

So I don't understand why my games are freezing so often now. This kind of performance issue after repasting is a first for me. I used a thermal grizzly kryonaut just like before. There is also a bits of paste left on the pins surrounding the heat sink (which I can never seem to get off for years) but not enough to connect the pins (not that it matters, I used an electrically non-conducting paste). I used a blower to clean the fans, so I don't think I messed up there. Of course, I removed all residue paste on the plates themselves before applying fresh. Might as well mention it now to clear up doubts you might have.

Best Answer

  • batmalin
    batmalin Member Posts: 4,231 Guru
    Answer ✓
    How do you know the gap between the CPU/GPU and the cooler? Sure you made a mistake by putting not enough paste as the cooler adjustment is different than on a PC e.g. the laptop one is more fragile and you can`t tighten the scews like on the PC. Freezes are from the overheat.
    Please click "Yes" if I have answered your question.
    Userbench: https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/31177158

Answers

  • Jack22
    Jack22 ACE Posts: 4,074 Pathfinder
    @Hahaha
    Predator and Nitro products are engineered to withstand higher operating temperatures than traditional notebooks. These systems include features that help with cooling and heat dispersion. The CPU and GPU are designed to handle temperature spikes in excess of 98 degrees Celsius without causing damage to the components. It is common for PC temperatures to spike temporarily during heavy gaming or graphic usage. If the system encounters excessive temperatures that could damage the hardware, it will automatically shut down to protect the components from becoming damaged.
    Understood it goes around 100, so yo can repaste the thermal paste and can also use a cooling pad to reduce the heat
    Click on 'Yes' if the comment answers your question!
  • Hahaha
    Hahaha Member Posts: 243 Practitioner WiFi Icon
    Thanks for the quick reply, but could you be a little more specific? Are you saying I should use more paste? And that this is what is causing the freezes?
  • Jack22
    Jack22 ACE Posts: 4,074 Pathfinder
    @Hahaha
    You can apply the thermal paste only for the heating issue, but not sure that is going to void the warranty but check the below link to check out few info about fixing the heating issue
    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/545316/acer-nitro-5-overheating
    Click on 'Yes' if the comment answers your question!
  • Hahaha
    Hahaha Member Posts: 243 Practitioner WiFi Icon
    edited February 2021
    Thanks again but you did not notice that I mentioned I did it before too. I read all the guides and know the theory. Also watched plenty of videos but none of them follow a standard procedure when it comes to amount and spreading method. I know it's difficult to tell from reading like this but I hope I wrote it clearly enough. 
    So here I am asking if I made a mistake. I used a very thin layer and it was so thin that trying to spread it once again would  bare the plate. Can you imagine how it is now?
  • batmalin
    batmalin Member Posts: 4,231 Guru
    Answer ✓
    How do you know the gap between the CPU/GPU and the cooler? Sure you made a mistake by putting not enough paste as the cooler adjustment is different than on a PC e.g. the laptop one is more fragile and you can`t tighten the scews like on the PC. Freezes are from the overheat.
    Please click "Yes" if I have answered your question.
    Userbench: https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/31177158

  • Hahaha
    Hahaha Member Posts: 243 Practitioner WiFi Icon
    batmalin said:
    How do you know the gap between the CPU/GPU and the cooler? Sure you made a mistake by putting not enough paste as the cooler adjustment is different than on a PC e.g. the laptop one is more fragile and you can`t tighten the scews like on the PC. Freezes are from the overheat.
    Oh I did not know about the difference in gap. Just assumed they are all alike. Thanks for pointing it out to me. I'll use more paste.
  • batmalin
    batmalin Member Posts: 4,231 Guru
    Good luck mate!
    Please click "Yes" if I have answered your question.
    Userbench: https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/31177158

  • Hahaha
    Hahaha Member Posts: 243 Practitioner WiFi Icon
    I did it. Seems fine now.
  • batmalin
    batmalin Member Posts: 4,231 Guru
    That`s great!
    Please click "Yes" if I have answered your question.
    Userbench: https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/31177158

Categories