Overheating HP Compaq?

[bobbyboy]

My core temps in both cores varies from 88 - 99, on idle with nothing running it goes down into the 60's, anything like playing games or looking at photos brings it up into the 90's and then things start to slow down.
Last night I just caught it at 101.

The fan seems to be working OK although it probably needs cleaning.

My question is, if I need to replace the thermal paste on the heat sink, whats the best paste to use?

My laptop needs a complete strip down to get to the fan so I only want to do this once.

Any ideas guys?

Please bear in mind my knowledge of computers is quite limited but I am confident I can strip this down a do the work.

The lap top is a HP Compaq CQ60 - 430SA.

And what is it with HP laptops always overheating?

 

[Puppetmaster]

Laptops will all overheat eventually, dust just gets clogged inside around the fan, heatsink and vents. Have you tried giving the vents a good blast with a can of compressed air?

 

[bobbyboy]

Nope, but I did put the hoover over the vent and sucked out what I could.
I think the best way would be to strip it down?

Do you think the thermal paste might be OK? I have read this to be a common problem with HP Laptops.

 

[Akagi]

I use Arctic Silver 5 & Arctic MX4. I find that they offer great performance for the money.

The best paste OcUK offer is probably IC Diamond 24-Carat, but I would never spend that much on thermal paste.

And I dont know, HP laptops do tend to run very hot. My own usually sits between 60 and 80. I can get it up to 100 if I run some stress tests though.

One word of advice, get the manufacturers service documentation before you try and strip it down. It should be available online. It will give you step by step guidance on what to do.

 

[bobbyboy]

Thanks chap, the laptop is used for general use, videos and the odd game of ut2004 so its never really stressed too much, its just when it hits the 90's which it does more often than not it begins to slow down.
So I'm not after a paste designed for high stress environments as I simply wont need it so diamond 24 carat seems a bit over the top for this application.
I have found a step by step with photos and a video on you tube explaining how to re-apply the paste. Just waiting on a tablet so I can view them while I do it.

Is there any other reasons that you know of that would make a lap top run hot? Just in case I'm barking up the wrong tree.

Edit to add - would this be enough paste? (2.7g)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=TH-002-AC&groupid=701&catid=27&subcat=0

Just by surfing the net its already at 85 average.

 

[Akagi]

Thanks chap, the laptop is used for general use, videos and the odd game of ut2004 so its never really stressed too much, its just when it hits the 90's which it does more often than not it begins to slow down.
So I'm not after a paste designed for high stress environments as I simply wont need it so diamond 24 carat seems a bit over the top for this application.
I have found a step by step with photos and a video on you tube explaining how to re-apply the paste. Just waiting on a tablet so I can view them while I do it.

Is there any other reasons that you know of that would make a lap top run hot? Just in case I'm barking up the wrong tree.

Edit to add - would this be enough paste? (2.7g)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=TH-002-AC&groupid=701&catid=27&subcat=0

Just by surfing the net its already at 85 average.

Dust is the main culprit for hot running laptops. It could also be a faulty fan, loose heatsink, or crusty thermal paste.

Each model of laptop will need to be taken apart in a way specific to that particular model before you can think about applying thermal paste. It is a long and tedious process. Not for the faint of heart

Here is the service documentation: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02985882.pdf

I strongly advise against doing this yourself unless you are experienced and 100% certain that you are comfortable following the guidance in that document. (You need to refer to section 4-41 in order to gain access to the CPU) If the machine is still in warranty, it may be a better option to consult the retailer - from which you bought the machine - about the issue first.

2.7G is enough for several applications. You only need some the size of a rice grain in the middle of the CPU.

I would advise getting something a little better than ceramique personally. The quality of the compound does affect cooling efficiency, albeit slightly in some situations.

 

[bobbyboy]

Thanks chap, I will have a read through the PDF.
Just out of curiosity, how much would a shop charge to do this? The warranty ran out years ago.

 

[Akagi]

Thanks chap, I will have a read through the PDF.
Just out of curiosity, how much would a shop charge to do this? The warranty ran out years ago.

It would depend on the individual technician/engineer, how long it would take them, what they're hourly rate is, and whether or not they want to take the ****.

I would charge £15 - £20 and provide good thermal paste (i'm not a qualified technician). Most qualified technicians would probably charge £30 to £50 or something along those lines and provide cheap thermal paste...