Need advice on swapping thermal paste for your Lenovo laptop?
Need advice on swapping thermal paste for your Lenovo laptop?
Hello, my Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15ARE05 is experiencing some heating problems, which are common in many laptops. The main issue seems to be the CPU overheating, causing sudden stutters or random crashes during gameplay. Using Afterburner, I found that temperatures are extremely high—ranging from 60-70°C when idle, up to around 90°C while gaming, and even reaching 100°C. This is likely the CPU’s safety mechanism to prevent damage when it gets too hot. I tried improving airflow by opening the laptop’s back panel and blowing air through it, which helped somewhat. The only remaining option is replacing the thermal paste inside, but I’m unsure how to do that properly.
SIDE NOTE:
I recently upgraded my RAM to 20GB about four to five months ago. I’m not sure if that contributed to the overheating and stuttering, but it seems these problems were more noticeable before. I don’t know the right type of thermal paste for my model or how to remove the fan cover to access it. Do you have any recommendations or videos that explain how to replace the paste? Also, what brand should I buy for a compatible replacement?
It's interesting to note that the temperatures for that APU in your laptop are typical. Concerns arise only when reaching 105 Deg C or higher. For advice on thermal paste, follow this disassembly guide: View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx6ICwjDDoQ. Keep in mind, your laptop may differ slightly from the one shown, but the steps should remain similar. Disassemble, remove the cooling assembly after disconnecting power, use Isopropyl alcohol to clean the paste, apply a small amount of high-quality paste, and reassemble. Where are you located?
I'm from the Philippines, but I can find almost anything online from SEA. Regarding the video, where is the CPU located? I had already taken it apart by disassembling my laptop thoroughly and upgraded my RAM. Is it necessary to remove the SSD and battery during that process? I didn't do so when I replaced my RAM.
The advantage of swapping thermal paste is more promise than fact.
The paste might need up to five years before it stops working properly.
Even so, the first application could have been subpar.
Weigh the pros and cons of altering the paste.
Laptops are fragile, and it’s simple to damage screws or disrupt other components.
You managed to notice that the airflow remains satisfactory.
Here’s my analysis on laptop gaming performance:
The CPU/iGPU is positioned beneath the end of the heat pipes, which extend from the fan.
There are four screws securing everything in place; you might need to take off the fan by unclipping the small power connector before removal. The fan unit may be fastened to the heat pipes, so keep all screws grouped in a container during disassembly.
Regarding reapplication and paste selection: It’s beneficial to reapply, using a suitable adhesive. The choice between the basic manufacturer paste and premium alternatives makes a significant difference!
For instance, I tested various pastes on my HP Omen 15. The standard paste kept the CPU temperature at around 95°C during intense gaming, risking throttling. The GPU stayed stable near 70-75°C.
With Arctic MX-4, I achieved excellent cooling—CPU temperatures dropped to 85-90°C during heavy loads, preventing throttling instantly. Noctua NT H1 performed even better, reaching 75-85°C max.
These experiences highlight how reapplying paste can greatly improve thermal performance, and following the correct screw alignment ensures even coverage.
@Lutfij already talked about it. It's recommended to use ISO since it's 99% alcohol, which will evaporate quickly once applied. Just use a non-lint cloth with a splash of ISO and remove the old paste. The small bead will spread across the CPU as you reapply the heatpipes. Place the bead in the middle, making it a 'pea' sized blob. The instructions for the best application will be in the past you select, but using the bead method seems to be the preferred approach.