Hardware Exchanging thermal paste?

[maddangerous]

Framerates won't be affected at all, and even temperatures of the system itself won't be affected much if at all. The Switch targets a specific temperature range and tries to keep it there by adjusting the fan speed. All replacing the paste will do is allow it to keep the target temperatures with a slower fan speed, and increase the amount of time it takes to reach the target temperature.

So.. the idea is more to make it easier for the switch to maintain target temps and avoid throttling, then, if I understand correctly?

 

[SuzieJoeBob]

Tried to get some myself but kept getting attacked by hot bald women.

The Chrome Dome squad is hard to avoid, but using a few Amazon Echo Dots like percussive grenades are good enough distractions to lure them in a direction opposite my own.

 

[Volkaru]

Hey all.

So I repasted my switch last night. I'm using Kryonaut, on everything (no thermal pads on hand).

The back of my console seems to get pretty warm now, but the exhaust air doesn't really feel that warm... wondering if I fucked something up? I'm not new to this kind of stuff (delidded i7 4770k 4.1 GHz stable, liquid metal, repasted quite a few GPU's, etc) but I'm not sure i got it right with the switch.

I did the following:

1. took the cover apart
2. removed the RF shield thing
3. removed the heatpipe for the cooler
4. removed the shield that is over the SoC and RAM
5. Cleaned everything good with 99% isopropyl alcohol.
6. Applied thermal grizzly kryonaut to RAM and SoC (about a pea size drop on the SoC)
7. reinstalled the plate over SoC and RAM (left the copper shim) hoping that would help spread paste))
8. applied more kryonaut
9. Installed the heatpipe cooler
10. Put a nice line of paste on the heatpipe (probably about 3" - 3.5" long)
11. Installed the RF shield thing
12. booted.

Now, everything works, and I don't notice anything different in regards to frame drops. That said, I don't have BotW, or any of the really intense games. I'm also not soft or hard modded at all.

I play:

• A shit-ton of Warframe
• Dead Cells
• Working through The Legend of Zelda: Links Awakening
• Disgaea 5
• Into the Breach

I'm primarily docked, with a USB-C LAN adapter.

Any thoughts? I would've expected the air exiting to be warmer than it is. Not saying it's cool air, per say, but def not what I'd call warm, comparing to the temps I've seen reported in this thread.

If you're worried about temps, you can set up sys-clk to report temperates every x seconds into the log file.

 

[LapCheong]

Is Mx-4 enough to bridge the gap between the metal cover and copper heatsink? Kinda hard to find one here

 

[nero99]

Is Mx-4 enough to bridge the gap between the metal cover and copper heatsink? Kinda hard to find one here

I took the copper plate off and used one of those IC Diamond thermal graphite pads. Best decision ever. Far better heat transfer than the little piece of copper. but to answer you, yes. MX4 will work just fine.

 

[LapCheong]

I took the copper plate off and used one of those IC Diamond thermal graphite pads. Best decision ever. Far better heat transfer than the little piece of copper. but to answer you, yes. MX4 will work just fine.

I am talking about the glob of thermal paste, i was hoping that mx-4 will be enough to fill it so i dont have to buy and wait for thermal paste

 

[leerpsp]

View attachment 208845

I am talking about the glob of thermal paste, i was hoping that mx-4 will be enough to fill it so i dont have to buy and wait for thermal paste

should be that is what I did on my switch and its still going good today and plus it runs cooler and games seem to run better but that may just be me though.

 

[nero99]

View attachment 208845

I am talking about the glob of thermal paste, i was hoping that mx-4 will be enough to fill it so i dont have to buy and wait for thermal paste

Yup. That garbage they used is useless. Any thermal paste will work better then that goop.

 

[LapCheong]

Yup. That garbage they used is useless. Any thermal paste will work better then that goop.

should be that is what I did on my switch and its still going good today and plus it runs cooler and games seem to run better but that may just be me though.

Thank for your input guys !
I have ordered the required toolset and hopefully i pry up the metal enclosure for the ram and cpu without damaging it

 

[finalgravity525]

Are 0.5mm thermal pad will fit just right on the ram shield and on the heat pipe against the metal plate? Planning to replace mine. Sorry bad english.

 

[LapCheong]

I am disappointed with the result after thermal replacement. Before replacement when docked mode is about 56 degree c after replacement is about 54 degree c. Which is within margin of error in measuring. Replaced both thermal paste on top and below the heatssink and remove the copper tape.

 

[linuxares]

Yup. That garbage they used is useless. Any thermal paste will work better then that goop.

I think freaking chewed gum is a better thermal paste than that goop.

 

[nero99]

I am disappointed with the result after thermal replacement. Before replacement when docked mode is about 56 degree c after replacement is about 54 degree c. Which is within margin of error in measuring. Replaced both thermal paste on top and below the heatssink and remove the copper tape.

Did you make sure you put fresh paste on the cpu and then put the copper shield back on? Because if you just took it off, big problems will come.

 

[LapCheong]

Did you make sure you put fresh paste on the cpu and then put the copper shield back on? Because if you just took it off, big problems will come.

I remove the copper tape so that that heatsink is directly connected to the CPU die. What "big problem" you referring to?

 

[ZachyCatGames]

I am disappointed with the result after thermal replacement. Before replacement when docked mode is about 56 degree c after replacement is about 54 degree c. Which is within margin of error in measuring. Replaced both thermal paste on top and below the heatssink and remove the copper tape.

That's normal. Nintendo seems to prioritizes keeping a lower fan speed over temps, so all replacing the paste will really do is reduce the fan speed.

 

[ganons]

Anyone using thermal pads as well?

 

[N3w_Typ3]

This is really an old thread. I read the entire part of it but still, no mentioned of a few items in details?

1. Can someone guide or advised me how to open the IEM shield or it is not recommended to do it?
2. If changing the pads for the inside the IEM shield, what is the size of the thermal pad recommended for the RAM?
3. What is the recommended size of the Thermal Pad for the outer IEM shield to the plate (RAM and on the heat pipe)?

I attempting this soon once the items come in. Would appreciate if someone can guide or advise.

Thank You.

 

[Lightyose]

This is really an old thread. I read the entire part of it but still, no mentioned of a few items in details?

1. Can someone guide or advised me how to open the IEM shield or it is not recommended to do it?
2. If changing the pads for the inside the IEM shield, what is the size of the thermal pad recommended for the RAM?
3. What is the recommended size of the Thermal Pad for the outer IEM shield to the plate (RAM and on the heat pipe)?

I attempting this soon once the items come in. Would appreciate if someone can guide or advise.

Thank You.

I can answer the first question, here is a guide https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Nintendo+Switch+Shield+Plate+Replacement/113032
It wasn't hard for me since I'm used to experiment with technology. But I don't think it'll be too difficult for people that aren't used to it. Just make sure you put Micro SD card connector back properly. (I had to try putting it back twice, but on the second it clicked and it is back to normal.)

 

[N3w_Typ3]

Hi, Thanks. I was more referring to the IEM shield for the processor. I saw some videos of people taking apart but it was badly bent. That is why a little worrying for me. It is my first attempt and I only have 1 switch LOL.

 

[LapCheong]

Hi, Thanks. I was more referring to the IEM shield for the processor. I saw some videos of people taking apart but it was badly bent. That is why a little worrying for me. It is my first attempt and I only have 1 switch LOL.

I think there is no point in opening up the IEM shield, since the ram chip will not run as hot as the CPU. The setup will not be most optimal but at least you dont damage your switch.

I replaced the default paste with mx-4 without any pads and my switch is the hottest at the exhaust compared to last time around the middle area. But see no major improvement in temperature monitor, i guess the better thermal paste only makes the cooling system more effective in a sense that the heat is more directed to the exhaust instead of spreading it around the switch. .