[Alienware 17R4 / 15R3] - Disassembly + Repaste Guide + Results

Isn't extreme overclocking a process where you are dealing with cooling temps under 8-degree C and not the ambient temp? here are some examples of extreme overclocking cooling http://www.overclockers.com/an-introduction-to-extreme-cooling/ If you are doing any of these then don’t use Conductonaut.

 

What I am assuming is that its thermal performance drops when at temps below 8C relative to other options. At some point I assume it must stop being a liquid and revert to a solid but that temp has got to be very low, way lower than possible under environments safe for humans to operate under. But this is a point that should be investigated, if I am walking around in Hokkaido in the middle of winter and then after being left in luggage locker that is not heated at temps in the -15c range should I be worried?

Also I would not call <8C extreme, maybe <0C but 8C come on in collage that was about my room temp in winter!

 

Once the computer is running the cpu surface will be warmer than 8 ° C and only if you are applying extreme cooling lower than 8 ° C that is when Conductonaut is not recommended. If you’re running a computer in a cold environment condensation is a concern.

 

condensation is only an issue if the humidity is high enough and you are at or below the dew point.

 

The temps use conductonaut are amazing but i'm still a bit affraid to use it so I think I'll go kryonaut and I hope i can use OC lvl3 without the fan to go too loud on idle load (i've already buy fujipoly 0,5 11w/mk and 1mm 14w/mk)

 

Be sure to post up some temps, so may have been going conductonaut it will be nice to see some kryonaut to compare to.

 

Hi guys I m from UK. Can anyone send me a link for a good Thermal Pad.

Thanks

 

I gotta say... Having never used the liquid metal before and this being my first laptop repaste I am a little nervous. I am a patient organized OCD freak of a person that is planning on taking a full day of this and it isn't my first laptop disassembly nor my first time pasting, though that was desktop builds... But screwing up my investment also makes me nervous as all hell.

I want the best possible temps but not at the sacrifice of the machine.

I too would be interested in your results.

Perhaps I should search for some videos of someone applying the liquid metal to a laptop's heatsink and gpu/cpu.

 

Hi mate you'll need 3 of these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01MYSQ9NU/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You'll also need two of the 0.5mm ones too but they have no 14w/mk in stock atm so you'll have to get the 11w/mk here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0...ermal+pads&dpPl=1&dpID=21YgpG0gg4L&ref=plSrch

There's virtually no difference tho so don't worry


Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

 

I would make a protective template that covers the mobo so all you can see is the GPU and CPU chips surface when applying it as when I did it a little more than I expected came out and the best way to remove excess is with a syringe and if using the same syringe becareful not to pull the plunger out.

I am getting one of these for coating the transistors around the GPU

 

It's really much easier than you think buddy, just take your time, note if you're really that worried then apply it directly to your heatsink first and just use the excess from that to paint your die. Much safer

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Just curious for those that used the Conductonaut, how many uses does 1G get you?

 

You could order something like this to use as backup for a spill: https://www.amazon.com/PODOY-Plasti...44&sr=8-10&keywords=precision+plastic+syringe

 

Thanks Pete Light. I looked at them ones but the color was different and had a second thought lol
Thanks again on a mission for a Repaste wish me luck XD

btw whats the size of the Philip screwdriver?

 

One laptop.

The excess is maybe enough to paint another CPU OR GPU die on a 2nd laptop.

I believe it's philips 00 @iunlock

 

I think iunlock mentioned somewhere that ph1 fits a little bit more snug than 00. Easier to strip out using 00. I think it was in his post with 3 videos a few weeks ago.


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PH1

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First post should be edited to state PH1 just so the info is all in one place.

 

Just here to report:
Dell Tech came over, gave him my Kryonaut.
He repasted and replaced the screen. I have minimal light bleed now, like almost nothing (just in the top right corner at full brightness in the dark).

Best of all?
Temps went from literally 100° to max 67.

FUGG YEAH!

Still complaining to Dell in case they replace for a Kabylake system...

 

I am gonna try to do the same. Had a guy come out, replaced thermal pads, broke WiFi connectors. Had another guy come out to replace back of LCD screen with wires to fix WiFi, now my lid Tron lights don't work. Got in touch with them and they want me to send my system in. They are out of their mind if they think I am doing that without having something to use in the meantime.

 

I replaced my first machine and they gave me the option to wait for the new one to arrive first.

Be stubborn man, they can provide that service!

 

Yeah I'm gonna try. If I do I am gonna try the conductonaut. I have a big tube of the Kryonaught but the system wasn't as quiet as I would have liked it to be.

Has anyone posted results with conductonaut while running OCCT + Heaven/Valley? Because it kinda does create a big difference, since its a gaming machine most people I would think use it for gaming but most people are posting results of just OCCT haha.

Example - OCCT may show mid 60s, but OCCT + Heaven will have it in mid 80s

 

NEVER SEND YOUR SYSTEM IN TO DELL DEPOT, THEY HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF STEALING SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND DAMAGING YOUR SYSTEM


You have the right to use in-home service, always ask for that and never ever accept depot service.

 

I'll make sure to use that to my advantage. I have read in these forums of many people losing their 1070 for a 1060 and a 120Hz for a 60Hz. However I trust myself more than these in-home techs lol. Admittedly I can't blame the first guy for breaking the 1535 connectors, but even when I had the pic nearby with thermal pad sizes, I had to correct him a couple times. That and he fully tightened screws 1 by 1 LOL, fml.

Thanks for the heads up though.

 

Hello is my first alienware ,sadly it has high temperature i see all guide but i don t know if i can do it with my own ability.... So don t know what to do.... And another think in guide there are "fujipoly" stips are there really necessary?... If i need to pay grizzly+cleaner+fujipoly i need to pay aaaaa lot in my country.... That is quite unfair! I pay for a good laptop and i pay a lot ....it is a big problem for me ....
Dell assinstance in Italy is really a ****... I have premium warrenty btw no one help me with this problem...
I hit 102c playing 30m at plantz vs zombie 2 that isn t a BIG GAME....
Hope someone help me.
Thabk you.

 

return system

 

You mean refund?or return for a new one?
Because i see many posts where people get a worst AW 15r3 then before...

 

I don't see a option to search through the thread and I am sure its been asked.. but does using liquid metal void any of the Dell warranties if we don't screw up?

 

No, also yes I wish we had the ability to search an individual thread. It would make finding info much easier.

 

refund to get your money back if you are not happy with the machine

it certainly has cpu temp issues

 

Probably

is my question was misplaced. the warranty is not voided if not broke or damaged anything.

 

Do you not have a check box when you click the search button to search this thread only?

 

I

Oh just saw that after I read your post. I'll have to see if it's also there on desktop browser, thanks

 

There was a tweet a little while ago, someone asked Frank if it would void the warranty and he said no. I think it was in the owners lounge.

Edit: Sorry I could not find the post with the tweet in it, maybe don't quote me on this unless I find it and add the link

 

The only search option I have is at the very top where it says search forums, clicking that takes me here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/search/?type=post

 

What about at the very top right hand of your screen, above your profile button. There should be a search bar where you can select search this tread only and even search by members postings too.

 

Oh yea I see it now, it was so far up there I never saw it lol. Previously I searched for search and because there is no text saying search my search for the search returned only the search forums option lol.

 

You work with this stuff way more than anyone here, so I believe you. Are there any special solutions needed to make it a easy process to remove? I guess a common misconception is that liquid metals pretty much is permanent or causes damage to remove it. I am thinking of using some but I also bought 4 years of warranty but wouldn't want to lose it for a extra 10C

 

Was trying to follow your guide but i have stripped a screw on the gpu heatsink. do you guys have any tips or tricks on how to remove them still or is my repaste venture dead?

 

Thank you guys for the replies. I'll have to wait a little longer as the Thermal Pad are not enough in stock -_-

 

How did you strip it? Where you not using a PH1 bit?

I had an issue like this occur in the past when trying to remove a gpu heatsink screw to install a waterblock. You could try to epoxy the screw into the bit to link them together. In my case I had to take a dermal to it and cut the screw head off, it was a very delicate procedure as I has less than 1mm of clearance.

Note that if you do remove it your going to need a replacement screw.

This guide may give you some hope: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Remove+a+Stripped+Screw/13213

 

Hi! How does Dell work in these cases? I also have temperature problems and the display light bleed. Can i request to dell replace my 17 r4 with the new Koby Lake system? How? Is there any trick I can use?

They already changed all these parts. I bought it less than 1 month ago. Practically buy a repaired notebook.

 

thank you for this post, I really find it very useful.

something strange happing with my laptop i couldn't find a reasonable explanation, i bought Alienware 17 R4 and it was everything perfect until i start playing fallout 4. When it comes to 20 minutes from playing the game freeze and windows crash the file explorer not working any more. I went through long journey looking for a solution, i suspect the heat is cause that specially i had read some of new Alienware have problems with heating issue because thermal post. anyway i did repaste for my laptop based on your guideline (thank you for that) and it was successfully repaste the CPU temperature decreased from 82 C to 69 C in full usage but the GPU no big change only 2 degrees from 71 to 69. I did run fallout 4 again and the problem come again! same issue in arrange 20~18 minuets the system crash. As final solution i did installation for MSI Afterburner with default setting to monitor the heat while playing and the surprise is the issue is gone. the game never stop again after MSI Afterburner i left the game running for 5 hours is working fin with out any crashes. i return back and removed the MSI Afterburner and the problem is back !!!

the question now do i need stack with MSI Afterburner to play games ? specially this is happen only with fallout 4.


I tried to do all these to solve the problem or to know what is really going on ?
1- stress test for one hour for both CPU, GPU realtime it passed
2- reinstall windows 10 for 3 times.
3 - overclocking GPU with stress test, the temperature reach 78C with out crash.


Any advice please

 

I made a full Gelid Solutions repad&repast yesterday with GP Extreme thermal pads (12 W/MK) and GC Extreme thermal past following this OP guidance for GTX 1070 on my 15R3.
I changed the chokes' pads with Extreme cool 360 (3W/mk 0.15mm) thermal adhesive.
And finally bent the tension arm.


i had to clean the heatsink, one pad was glued and the 4 little pads had their protection film left :



Sadly i had to shorten the repast and here's a view before replacing the heatsink.



The results were quite disappointing, the cores' temps discrepancy rised from 15°C to 18°C and OCCT spiked over 90°C @3.6GHz -180mV.

Guess i 'll have to repast again this evening

 

Keep in mind that the solve the uneven pressure problem they reduced the pad on the chokes to 0.1mm and you placed a 0.15mm on there so your creating more problems here. Also when the pad is not 1mm on the chokes you should not need to bend the tension arm anymore. Infact bending that may start to create too much pressure on that side and have the opposite effect.

Lastly I am confused in your photo because I thought the fans were supposed to remain attached to the heatsink during the repaste. What did you do differently from the instructions on the first page?
Is the disassembly now different for the 15r3 1070 vs the 17r4 1070?

 

I can remove the fans's upper plates with the heatsink for faster operation. I used both disassembly methods.

And concerning the chokes, I don't think 0.05mm make such a big difference, old pads were 0.5mm afterall.

I was running out of time when repasting, so i didn't spread the Gelid Extreme and used the good old pea-drop-on-the-center-and-press method with random results.

I'll try to repast again this evening, taking my time to warm the gelid and spread it perfectly.

 

Both my screws holding the tron lights got stripped. I think the locktite + being tightened a lot really makes these tiny screws easily stripped. I just got a drill and drilled the tops of both of them, but those tron light screws weren't needed.

 

The reason why your getting bad temps was because of the 0.5mm on the chokes and why even Dell has switched to the thinner TP

 

If you rather not open your laptop up or feel uncomfortable doing it, I made an easy to follow undervolting tutorial using the noobie friendly Intel XTU: