If you have a Retina MacBook Pro, you need this $6 Upgrade!

MacBook Pros, as well as most laptops, have very poor thermal performance in large part thanks to bad thermal paste. In this video I'll be walking through the process on how to replace thermal paste on your Retina MacBook Pro. By repasting your MacBook, you will get better performance and cooling.

[MrRolandMichel]

Pro Tip: It also helps to speak to the Thermal Paste in a gentle and reassuring tone, so that it may relax and do it's job better!

[garybeltrand]

Just did this with a 2015 15 inch. Very easy. One thing to watch for is the brackets holding the heatsink over the CPU have spring tension to press down when installed. They could easily send your screws flying across the room if you're not careful when removing them.

[sfeco]

I just stumbled on this episode.

Yes, I agree. My Macbook Pro (Retina, Early 2013, A1398) kept freezing up after only a couple of seconds of Youtube video. The top of the keyboard was also very hot, very quickly (from a cold boot up). So I got myself a good quality thermal paste and did the job myself.

Now, the computer runs very cool and the top of the keyboard only slightly warm to the touch even after hours of watching Youtube.

It's like a new machine now. :-)

[domo_hudson]

"Still got a whole tube of thermal paste I can use on other things!" He said, walking around the house looking for things he can use his thermal paste on. Picture frame on the wall... TV... Cat... 😂

[ajbfwb]

Where's the post new paste CineBench

[nicoleamy]

When I applied the new thermal paste, I actually saw a better results after I reset the SMC too.

[fandirahmanhidayat]

You know why i like this channel. It makes us appreciate what we have not to be the slave of newest tech.

[DanAlmasy]

Thanks so much for this video dude! I have a 2013 MBP that was constantly getting hot and kicking the fan on, especially when using Lightroom. I cleaned it up and added some new thermal compound and it really has made a big difference!

[modigady]

This video is so good that YouTube feels like I should watch it again a whole year later. Thanks YouTube! 😃

[TheYeah]

From what I’ve seen online, spreading is necessary when replacing thermal paste on cpu/gpu without heat spreader (ihs), this applies to gpus and mobile cpus. The pea method works when using desktop cpus with ihs.

[anthonym]

Pro tip: While you have the machine open, grab yourself the can of compressed air and clean out the cooling fan. If you're doing this for a customer, they'll appreciate you going the extra mile.

[leestewart]

A week ago, I replaced the thermal paste on my early 2013 15-inch MacBook. Easy as pie! And the difference was startling!

[flobroful]

Err you’re not supposed to put thermal paste on the pch right?

[GummiSammi]

1. When undoing screws of any tentioned rectangular/square component (like the CPU cooler, PC Case Fan, or this Heat Sink), do it in a zigzag like he does when putting it back on. Go across diagonally and evenly loosen the tention until loose, then remove screws. Do the reverse when fastening/installing.


2. Use Isopropyl Alcohol (I use 99% but many people just use 70%+ and is fine. Just make sure it's all dry before doing next steps) with some lintless fabric or towel to clean the die and heat sink contact surface. Clean Coffee Filter is actually good for this. Lintless, cheap.


3. Go slow and just put a tiny dollop of thermal goop near the center of each die. Let the compression do the spreading. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DO NOT SPREAD THAT THING. 1. there is no need 2. you increase chance of air pockets forming during application.

[TrainToAlaska]

Thank you for this! I just did this to my MacBook Pro retina (the exact same as in this video) and it was really easy to follow, I choked on seven years worth of dust but hey it was worth it haha

[jeffrendered]

a bit late, but a before and after temp or performance comparison would have been awesome.

[ScottDeSalvo]

Dude, why no new paste thermal test? Was it worse? Was it better? The same?

Why should we replace the paste if we do not have a repeattest showing better thermals?

[drawmaster]

I did this with some liquid metal and was amazed to see my temps drop nearly 25 degrees under load. (I don't suggest this to most people as the liquid metal does react, albeit very slowly, but it does degrade the cooler)

[dhunsyamdaji]

Done this, was so simple, being a techy. The original thermal paste in my mid2014 was well not much left, put on thermal paste over CPU and GPU now much cooler 10-15 degrees cooler. Really helped. I Also replaced my battery as well while i was at it.

[hartlytartly]

8:20 actually, when applying thermal paste directly to the die, you should spread it out manually, as any part not contacted will create a hotspot that will either kill the cpu or force throttling.