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Thermal pads replacement for gamecube

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 2:49 pm
by BeyondEarth
Hello everyone.

I recently opened up and completely cleaned one of my gamecube, and during the process, I removed the thermal pads that were under the heatsink. I applied artic mx-2 thermal paste instead, but now I'm a bit worried of having made a bad decision. Even if the temperature seems ok and the gamecube functions just like before, I am thinkinf of replacing the paste with thermal pads. Would a 1.5mm thick arctic thermal pad be enough ? Or should I buy a graphite thermal pad ?

Re: Thermal pads replacement for gamecube

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 4:59 pm
by novenary
Use thermal pads of the right thickness, never paste. I doubt you'll find graphite pads thick enough, and it's really not necessary anyway. The stock stuff is perfectly fine.

Re: Thermal pads replacement for gamecube

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 8:05 pm
by BeyondEarth
Thanks for your answer, but does 1.5mm corresponds to waht you would call the right thickness ?
Yeah but since I already removed the original thermal pads, I have to find the best replacement now ^^'

Re: Thermal pads replacement for gamecube

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 8:11 pm
by novenary
The GameCube is a 15W system, the only reason why it needs a fan at all is the poor internal airflow. Don't waste your money on memes. 1.5mm should be fine.

Re: Thermal pads replacement for gamecube

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 8:22 pm
by BeyondEarth
15W for the whole system ? Or only for the CPU+GPU combo ?
THe official Nintendo website places the GC power consumtion at 39W...

Re: Thermal pads replacement for gamecube

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 8:44 pm
by BeyondEarth
Ok so after a bit of research, it would seem that the power consumption of the system should be around 23W on load. The strange thing is that I found different numbers everywhere...

Re: Thermal pads replacement for gamecube

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 10:31 pm
by novenary
The power brick is rated at 39W but that's because it needs to account for the GBP + BBA + controllers + whatever other peripherals simultaneously. 15W is the ballpark portabilizers have measured. Don't bother with that anyway, the CPU and GPU are very low power by modern standards. Paste is terrible for this because the gap between the heat spreaders and the heatsink is way too big. Get some cheap thermal pads (like I said 1.5mm should be fine), and that's all you'll need.

Re: Thermal pads replacement for gamecube

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2018 10:46 am
by BeyondEarth
Okay, thanks for your answers !!