Thermal pads or paste/putty

[IsaidS]

Hello everyone! I have a small doubt, I want to do maintenance to my laptop (Victus 15) and I was handling the option of changing everything by thermal pads instead of paste, however, I am not sure of the diameter I should use for everything and also if it is really necessary or correct to apply it on all components (i5 - 3050rtx) and I would like to know if it can really improve in something or it is just better to use paste/putty.

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @IsaidS,

Welcome to HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

I understand that you're working on your Victus by HP 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop (15-fa0000) and are considering switching from thermal paste to thermal pads. It makes sense—thermal pads can be a cleaner and more convenient option, especially if you want to avoid the mess of reapplying paste. However, for the best heat transfer and performance, using high-quality thermal paste is usually the way to go. It allows for better contact between the CPU/GPU and the heatsink, helping to dissipate heat more efficiently and keep your system running smoothly. If you're experiencing overheating or throttling,
 

Thermal Pads Thickness:

Typically, for VRAM (video memory) chips on laptops like yours, thermal pad thicknesses can range from 0.5mm to 1.5mm. The exact thickness you need will depend on the height of the VRAM chips and the gap between them and the heatsink.
 

Recommended Thickness

• 0.5mm: For situations where the VRAM chips are closer to the heatsink or if the gap is minimal.
• 1.0mm: A common choice that works well for most laptops, offering a good balance between thermal conductivity and pad compression.
• 1.5mm: For larger gaps or if you need a bit more compression.

Before purchasing, make sure to measure the height of your VRAM chips and the gap to ensure the thermal pad thickness you choose will provide a good fit and effective thermal transfer.

Refer to this document: Maintenance and Service Guide

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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VikramTheGreat

HP Support