Laptop Thermodynamics

[Alphy]

I've owned a Compaq Presario laptop for a little over a year now and so far it's been a solid performing laptop for general Windows usage. Over the last couple of weeks however, it's been shutting itself down after CPU intensive tasks. After flipping the laptop over and trying to identify the culprit of the problem, I nearly burnt my hand when touching the plastic cover that overlays the CPU heatsink. After taking the cover off, I found a nice sized copper heatsink that is nearly scalding hot after the laptop is powered on. Here's a picture of it:

Back of Laptop

and a close up

Closeup

Now I did purchase a Vantec lapcool 4 a few weeks back, but the CFM it pushes out is pathetic. I think replacing the thermal grease that contacts the CPU would probably knock off 10-15' celcius, since OEM's are known for using cheap thermal grease, and applying it very poorly.

Anyone have any ideas for a good cooling mechanism other than this pos Vantec? Is replacing thermal paste on a laptop difficult? Any insight would be very much appreciated.

 

[dme92189]

This should not be too difficult, but I do not know since I do not have your laptop. On my dell, I could easily unhook the heatsink, and apply some thermal paste. Just looking at it, you should be able to unscrew it, and apply some if what I think I see is correct. Definitally good you are addressing this, if it is getting that hot, there is definitally some problem. Let me know how it goes or if you have questions, (PM me), we will see what we can do!

 

[Zepper]

Yep, there's a good possiblilty that your heatsink goop's dried out on you. CoolerMaster markets some good Shin Etsu stuff (CM part nos. PTK-002/003). AS Ceramique would be the other I'd suggest.

There should be one or more little fans in there. Make sure it/they are working properly - sounds like they should probably be running all the time. I've seen the little 1" fans they use in notebooks around the web. LMK if you think that's what might be needed.

.bh.

 

[imported_Seer]

I'm not entirely sure about this, but I don't think thats where the processor is located. I think it's more in the center, and connected to that by a copper bar. Investigate your laptop more.

Also, the fact that a heatsink is really hot means that it's actually doing its job well, that is, to suck away heat from the processor. I would look for dust / fan problems before reapplying paste.