What you want is called thermal paste. It's specifically designed to transfer heat off those processors (and graphics cards) and up into the fan. It's relatively simple to apply but make sure you read the instructions. Putting too much on is almost as bad as putting too little.
From the picture above, and your description of the dust issue, it looks / sounds like you definitely overheated the processor. Impossible to really tell how much damage was done to it but intermittent lockups, slow performance, all those are possible consequences. I would recommend putting the thermal paste on and making sure the fans are functioning and airflow is good moving forward. You can't repair the processor (you could replace it) but at least you can make sure that you limit any additional danger going forward.
one more thing, if I may - right now I have a 2.4 Gigahertz Intel core i3 M 370 processor - how much processor can I put in this laptop, and if I replace the processor with a faster model, do I need to replace anything else (heat sync, etc.)?
You will need a first-generation Core CPU (i3 or i5 -- NOT the i7, which won't have the required video circuitry aboard). Stick to a 35W or lower power rating - you will not be able to run a 45W CPU in that system, since you cannot change the stock heatsink (nothing else will fit).
That interface material is not electrical tape - you need a thermally conductive paste or pad to replace the one that's there now.
In all honesty, you won't gain much with a CPU upgrade - and you'll be buying a used CPU, as these have not been made in years. If you're still running the system on a conventional hard drive, replacing that with a solid state drive (under $100 for a 250G, under $200 for a 512G) is a far better price/performance upgrade than any CPU will give you.
DELL-Todd S
3 Apprentice
•
1.8K Posts
0
July 7th, 2015 14:00
Hello,
Whatever you do, don't put tape on there!
What you want is called thermal paste. It's specifically designed to transfer heat off those processors (and graphics cards) and up into the fan. It's relatively simple to apply but make sure you read the instructions. Putting too much on is almost as bad as putting too little.
From the picture above, and your description of the dust issue, it looks / sounds like you definitely overheated the processor. Impossible to really tell how much damage was done to it but intermittent lockups, slow performance, all those are possible consequences. I would recommend putting the thermal paste on and making sure the fans are functioning and airflow is good moving forward. You can't repair the processor (you could replace it) but at least you can make sure that you limit any additional danger going forward.
Todd
billw007
4 Posts
0
July 8th, 2015 06:00
thanks!
billw007
4 Posts
0
July 11th, 2015 08:00
one more thing, if I may - right now I have a 2.4 Gigahertz Intel core i3 M 370 processor - how much processor can I put in this laptop, and if I replace the processor with a faster model, do I need to replace anything else (heat sync, etc.)?
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
July 11th, 2015 09:00
You will need a first-generation Core CPU (i3 or i5 -- NOT the i7, which won't have the required video circuitry aboard). Stick to a 35W or lower power rating - you will not be able to run a 45W CPU in that system, since you cannot change the stock heatsink (nothing else will fit).
That interface material is not electrical tape - you need a thermally conductive paste or pad to replace the one that's there now.
In all honesty, you won't gain much with a CPU upgrade - and you'll be buying a used CPU, as these have not been made in years. If you're still running the system on a conventional hard drive, replacing that with a solid state drive (under $100 for a 250G, under $200 for a 512G) is a far better price/performance upgrade than any CPU will give you.
billw007
4 Posts
0
July 11th, 2015 11:00
thanks!