I own an ASUS TUF A15 with an RTX 3060 and Ryzen 5800H processor, and I'm noticing some serious overheating issues. After four years, my CPU is sitting at around 84°C when idle and can hit 97-98°C during heavy gaming, which leads to significant FPS drops. The GPU seems to cap out at 84°C under load as well. I've tried underclocking, but that only improved the idle temps. Do you think it's time to replace my thermal paste? If so, what good options do you suggest and any extra advice would be appreciated!
4 Answers
Definitely consider repasting the CPU and GPU! Cleaning it with a soft toothbrush can work wonders. For thermal paste, Arctic MX4 is a solid pick. Also, check some teardown videos specific to your laptop model; they can really guide you through the process.
Yeah, Arctic's a reputable brand; they have good thermal pads too!
MX4 is decent, but keep in mind your laptop is starting to show its age, which might be contributing to the heat issues.
Some folks say MX4 isn't the best choice anymore. There are better options out there.
Arctic thermal pads are great; just make sure to measure the thickness of your old ones! I personally prefer thermal grizzly pads, though they can be pricier. Just remember, every pad you remove needs to be replaced!
For direct die applications, MX4 or MX6 might not cut it. Check out Thermal Grizzly's Duronaut; it's built to last but is a bit pricey. The Kryosheet is another solid option. If you want the best, look for Honeywell PTM7950, but be wary of finding legit sellers.
When you say thermal pads, you mean those instead of paste, right?