CPU/GPU thermal repaste for laptops

KneelBeforeNeil

Does Microcenter repaste the CPU and GPU for laptops? I have a Dell XPS 15 9570 thats 2.5 years old and recently the idle and under load temperatures have been increasing. Currently I am idling at approximately 50-60C and under load (gaming) I immediately reach temperatures of 90-95C before continuously thermal throttling. I have a laptop cooling pad but that only helps keep the case cool, it hasn't made a difference for the internal temperatures. Repasting is the best option right now but I am not confident doing it myself so does Microcenter repaste in house and how much does it cost if they do.

TSTDavey

Hello @KneelBeforeNeil and thanks for posting on the Microcenter Community Forum.

How long has your Dell been functioning like this when gaming? The reason we ask is because repasting may not be the solution for your issue. Have you updated the Dell's bios? Looks like there is a January 25, 2021 bios update for that machine. Also have you updated your graphic card drivers. Looks like there is a February 22, 2021 Nvidia driver update for that Dell as well.

We recommend to update the GPU drivers first, then launch a game to test if that fixes your issue. If not then proceed with updating the bios. Then test again.

Let us know the results.

Dell Drivers lInk. Click on "Check for Updates" and install all drivers it mentions you need.

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/product-support/product/xps-15-9570-laptop/drivers

KneelBeforeNeil

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/28424#Comment_28424

I have updated the Bios and drivers. It still thermal throttles more than usual. I noticed that this started a couple weeks ago, where the temperatures are reaching the limits much faster and being throttled for longer. My games have had no updates so I believe that it has something to do with my laptop. I have considered undervolting but that is no longer an option because Dell/Intel have locked the cpu so that you cannot undervolt unless you downgrade to a bios from 2018, which I am not planning on doing. Thus, it seemed like repasting was the best option. If you have any other ideas please let me know.

Ian

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/28460#Comment_28460

We can look into this further in-store then, It is something you can bring in to any Micro Center store for assistance with. Any exact pricing and timing will be determined at the service desk in store, but we do have base pricing available at https://www.microcenter.com/site/service/service.aspx No appointment is needed.

KneelBeforeNeil

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/28489#Comment_28489

Ok thanks, I was mainly curious on whether you do this in house or you ship it to another location. Since I use my laptop for school I can't ship it. My location is the one in Michigan if that helps. Thanks.

JS_MC

Hey @KneelBeforeNeil, chiming in here to let you know that we do have an in-house service department. However, the length of the repair time may require you to leave your device with us. It would depend on how busy our service department is when you bring your laptop into our store.

We'd be happy to give you an estimate of turn around time once you've arrived at our store! Since our service department works on a first come first service basis we wouldn't be able to give you the most accurate estimate until we have the device in hand.

I hope this answers your questions! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns!