Getting pretty hot even though thermal paste changed.

Soler37 · Dec 4, 2022

So recently I changed my LCD/TOUCH screen which @binkinator has greatly helped me with.
During this process, I also changed my thermal paste completely, as well as on the SOC.
The thermal paste used was MX4, I'm sure I followed the instructions correctly after checking multiple places and was really happy when I was done knowing that my Switch would now run on the optimum setting, problem is, when I tested Mario Odyssey in docked mode, I checked the thermals and noticed that it gets really hot (60c SOC), which I know that up to 80 is fine, however, I'm concerned that my thermal paste job wasn't good and would like to know if this is normal for fresh thermal paste - game is running around half an hour.

binkinator · Dec 4, 2022

Soler37 said:
So recently I changed my LCD/TOUCH screen which @binkinator has greatly helped me with.
During this process, I also changed my thermal paste completely, as well as on the SOC.
The thermal paste used was MX4, I'm sure I followed the instructions correctly after checking multiple places and was really happy when I was done knowing that my Switch would now run on the optimum setting, problem is, when I tested Mario Odyssey in docked mode, I checked the thermals and noticed that it gets really hot (60c SOC), which I know that up to 80 is fine, however, I'm concerned that my thermal paste job wasn't good and would like to know if this is normal for fresh thermal paste - game is running around half an hour.

View attachment 341412

Your fan hasn’t kicked in to 100% yet…your Switch doesn’t seem to be as concerned as you are. Mine was running around 55C last night playing Grid. If you’re still concerned, the only thing you can do is open it back up and reapply. Typically people overdo it rather than under so I personally would watch to ensure that the system works together to manage the heat and as long as it’s not letting things get out of control you’ll be fine. In the case that it does overheat, there are thermal stops that will kick in and shut it down before you do damage.

ChanseyIsTheBest · Dec 4, 2022

Soler37 said:
So recently I changed my LCD/TOUCH screen which @binkinator has greatly helped me with.
During this process, I also changed my thermal paste completely, as well as on the SOC.
The thermal paste used was MX4, I'm sure I followed the instructions correctly after checking multiple places and was really happy when I was done knowing that my Switch would now run on the optimum setting, problem is, when I tested Mario Odyssey in docked mode, I checked the thermals and noticed that it gets really hot (60c SOC), which I know that up to 80 is fine, however, I'm concerned that my thermal paste job wasn't good and would like to know if this is normal for fresh thermal paste - game is running around half an hour.

View attachment 341412

What's your ambient temperature where you have the Switch? Mine without thermal paste maxes out at 52C outside of the dock at 1020/921 at an ambient temperature at 22C. Dock arguably doesn't have the best design for letting out heat.

Soler37 · Dec 4, 2022

binkinator said:
Your fan hasn’t kicked in to 100% yet…your Switch doesn’t seem to be as concerned as you are. Mine was running around 55C last night playing Grid. If you’re still concerned, the only thing you can do is open it back up and reapply. Typically people overdo it rather than under so I personally would watch to ensure that the system works together to manage the heat and as long as it’s not letting things get out of control you’ll be fine. In the case that it does overheat, there are thermal stops that will kick in and shut it down before you do damage.

Edit: this is the video I went by:
I made sure to not put too much/ too little going by a few videos I've watched, so I'm pretty sure its fine in terms of that, all I want to know is if what I'm getting is normal, the reason I'm asking is because I read a few forum threads of people recommending changing the paste as it makes the system so much cooler, IDK if it means docked or undocked though.
I'm less inclined to open it up as I don't want to reapply paste to the whole thing again, removing the metal sheet covering the SOC was stressful.

ChanseyIsTheBest said:
What's your ambient temperature where you have the Switch? Mine without thermal paste maxes out at 52C outside of the dock at 1020/921 at an ambient temperature at 22C. Dock arguably doesn't have the best design for letting out heat.

I haven't tested ambient temperature yet, I assume you mean while its in the menu not doing much?
As for the dock, imp using a shell I got on AliExpress for the reasons of better airflow plus mobility.

binkinator · Dec 4, 2022

Unless there was something wrong with your switch to begin with, changing the paste isn’t going to make much of a difference in the temp readings. The reason is because the fans have a curve where they will kick in if they reach X temp. If you had an inefficient paste job it would show up as time, not temperature. in other words yiu would want to know how quickly each temperature gate was reached that notched the fan up to the next speed setting. If there was a gap in your paste the fan would have little effect and your SOC temp would go into thermal alert. Your fans are at 45% so they are telling you they think things are OK.

e: the reason to change your paste is because of age and hardening of the original paste, but the original was built to last for many many years before needing attention. Once you open up the SOC shield it’s important to put some new stuff in there because the original won’t reseat properly. If you did it wrong you would see the fan at 100% and the temps still rising. You are probably close to your baseline, had you measured it beforehand. Maybe it take a little bit longer to reach the temp it’s at, now that you’ve changed the paste. Not a whole lot, but just a little.

Soler37 · Dec 4, 2022

binkinator said:
Unless there was something wrong with your switch to begin with, changing the paste isn’t going to make much of a difference in the temp readings. The reason is because the fans have a curve where they will kick in if they reach X temp. If you had an inefficient paste job it would show up as time, not temperature. in other words yiu would want to know how quickly each temperature gate was reached that notched the fan up to the next speed setting. If there was a gap in your paste the fan would have little effect and your SOC temp would go into thermal alert. Your fans are at 45% so they are telling you they think things are OK.

e: the reason to change your paste is because of age and hardening of the original paste, but the original was built to last for many many years before needing attention. Once you open up the SOC shield it’s important to put some new stuff in there because the original won’t reseat properly. If you did it wrong you would see the fan at 100% and the temps still rising. You are probably close to your baseline, had you measured beforehand.

OK thats what I wanted to know!
As for the paste, my switch was purchased about 4 months ago and from what I know, it's from 2017, which is why I wanted to repaste.

ChanseyIsTheBest · Dec 4, 2022

By ambient temperature I meant the temperature of your house where the Switch runs

binkinator · Dec 4, 2022

ChanseyIsTheBest said:
By ambient temperature I meant the temperature of your house where the Switch runs

^^^
Ambient temperature carries more weight than the quality of the paste.

I mean, sure, if you used old chewing gum, that probably wouldn’t be good but any name brand paste, properly applied, should good enough for a Ninty Switch.

Soler37 · Dec 4, 2022

O

binkinator said:
^^^
Ambient temperature carries more weight than the quality of the paste.

I mean, sure, if you used old chewing gum, that probably wouldn’t be good but any name brand paste, properly applied, should good enough for a Ninty Switch.

Ohhh I see, I don't know how I didn't get it. It's winter where I'm at, quite cold, I'm at work in a room with the AC on 24c. I sit with a hoody on so Ambient temperature is no issue.

Getting pretty hot even though thermal paste changed.

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