Proper running temp for ATi X1300 GPU in R60?

[ajsanjuan]

On my previous post I had asked what the proper temperature for an R60 CPU and GPU should be, especially considering a switch from a 9457 chipset with Intel integrated video to a 9462 with a dedicated ATi X1300. I was told to order a certain heatsink as the heatsink for the old integrated video would not work with the new board. So I ordered the 41W5271 FRU, replacing the older 41W5270, installed it and added thermal paste. Problem solved...at least for the CPU. Where the CPU ran idle at 55 to 70C, it is now running cool under the same conditions anywhere from 45 to 65C.

The only problem is with the GPU. Neither the 41W5270 nor the replacement 41W5271 seem to dissipate the GPU's heat effectively with their thermal tape, with the GPU running at temps from 75C when idle to 95C while operating graphic-intensive programs.

Should I remove the tape and apply thermal paste instead?

[RealBlackStuff]

You should check that the thermal pad is properly connecting to the WHOLE GPU and that the metal surface is absolutely flat and parallel to the GPU surface.
If at an angle (most likely your problem), heat won't be dissipating.
Removing the pad will only cause an even wider gap between GPU and fan.
Maybe you can carefully lower the GPU part and then apply thermal paste.
But it's easy to break the copper airpipe(s) so be careful!

[ajsanjuan]

You should check that the thermal pad is properly connecting to the WHOLE GPU and that the metal surface is absolutely flat and parallel to the GPU surface.
If at an angle (most likely your problem), heat won't be dissipating.
Removing the pad will only cause an even wider gap between GPU and fan.
Maybe you can carefully lower the GPU part and then apply thermal paste.
But it's easy to break the copper airpipe(s) so be careful!

Since I don't want to take the risk of bending (and possibly breaking) the heatsink, could I simply add thermal paste on top of the GPU and in theory sandwich the goo between it and the tape?

[RealBlackStuff]

No.
But a flat/parallel contact between GPU and cooler is a MUST.

[ajsanjuan]

No.
But a flat/parallel contact between GPU and cooler is a MUST.

Ok, I cracked open my R60 and bent the gpu arm of the heatsink slightly to dip down to ensure contact with the chip. Upon restarting the computer, the CPU was fine with the thermal grease minimally disturbed. However, the GPU worsened - higher temperature than before.

Why would direct contact with the thermal tape worsen the problem? Being a refurbished heatsink, perhaps the tape was old? Being that the CPU and GPU are both silicon chips, why couldn't I simply remove the tape and put 0.2 grams of grease between it and the heatsink?

I've emptied my bag of tricks...help!

Note: Running idle with Windows 7 and Firefox, CPU is safe at 45C, but GPU is dangerously at 87C.

[ajkula66]

Why would direct contact with the thermal tape worsen the problem?

Wrong angle comes to mind.

Being a refurbished heatsink, perhaps the tape was old? Being that the CPU and GPU are both silicon chips, why couldn't I simply remove the tape and put 0.2 grams of grease between it and the heatsink?

You're confusing me with the "tape" bit. There's supposed to be a grayish thermal pad there, not any tape...

[ajsanjuan]

Being a refurbished heatsink, perhaps the tape was old? Being that the CPU and GPU are both silicon chips, why couldn't I simply remove the tape and put 0.2 grams of grease between it and the heatsink?

You're confusing me with the "tape" bit. There's supposed to be a grayish thermal pad there, not any tape...

I'm sorry, I meant thermal pad...I don't know why I said "tape". There are two gray thermal pads on the heatsink, the upper one of which is now in contact with the gpu, or at least should be after I bent it downwards. However, the gpu is still running extremely warm (currently with just Firefox running, at 88C). As such, should I attempt a paste remedy as a last ditch solution?

[ajkula66]

Honestly, I don't think that the contact issue has been resolved given the temps.

I doubt that you'll gain anything by removing the pad and replacing it with paste, but it's your ThinkPad to experiment with.

Good luck.

[RealBlackStuff]

It would also not be unthinkable, that you received a dud cooler with a broken airpipe!
The high GPU temp points in that direction!

[ajsanjuan]

It would also not be unthinkable, that you received a dud cooler with a broken airpipe!
The high GPU temp points in that direction!

I think you're right...the seller must have sold me a defective sink. I think I'll just reinstall the old one. Thanks for your help!

[ajsanjuan]

Upon reinstallation of my old 41W5270 heatsink, I happened to notice a slight difference between it and the 41W5271 I so recently purchased. The 5271's fan casing is about 2mm thicker than that of the 5270 therefore, little or no contact was made between the GPU and the heatsink. Reinstallation of the old 5270 quickly corrected the problem... it seems that the 5271 was not technically defective, simply a design oversight on Lenovo's part - maybe Lenovo should have addressed this matter in their HMM...