field report - upgrade cpu cooling solution on AM08Pro with 7735HS

[1geron]

I am using an AM08Pro with Ryzen 7735HS. I've had high temperature issues with the computer (max. 95°C under full load, even with reduced power load settings and Tjmax, etc. in BIOS), so i contacted nipogi-support.
The support was a great experience and the team helped alot and over a longer period. I cannot remember ever having received comparable support from other well-known manufacturers - and i've had a few. So after telling my problem and that I am capable of working with such devices they gave me a YT-Link where the dismanteling of the AM08Pro Case was shown (YouTube - search for "Full dismantling of AM08 Pro"). The exchange therefore took place with the knowledge and support of the support team.

With this help i was able to change the cpu cooling paste. And this was necessary, because the original paste wasn't applied correct (no allegation!). The DIE of the cpu wasn´t completely covered, which explains the temperature rising under heavy load. I have made photos of the before and after situation, but i don't know how to attach a offline file to this posting.

I used ThermalGrizzly KryoSheet, which is a very fragile (and expensive in relation) thermal pad to lay upon the whole DIE. The pad is electrically conductive, so applying the pad with caution is highly recommended. In case others want to give it a try with 7735HS, cut it carefully into a pad of 14*18mm, it should be 1mm wider on all sides than the DIE. And because of the electrical conductivity, it shouldn't touch other components around the area.
After that, the temperatures were alot better. With maximum standard settings (power load, Tjmax, etc.) in BIOS the temperatures under load decreased to a maximum of 77°C.

While i have experiences with other cooling solutions (f. e. liquid metal compound) with similar thermal improvement, i can recommend the sheet solution because overall it is easier to apply as liquid or "creamy" solutions and it cannot spread uncontrolled while pressing the heat sink on the cpu like the liquid metal compound could.

I have used the same technique on another identical AM08Pro, where the max. temperature under load was about 90°C. The cooling paste on this device was applied correct (i assume in general that the original used cooling paste is not the optimum for this platform). And again the temperature under load decreased to a similar temperature range with about ~78°C max.

Another benefit is that the inbuilt fans (2 fans with a diameter of - maybe - 40mm) don´t scream up so often at full speed. And keep in mind that a decrease of 12 to 18 degrees is a really good improvement.

Please think about the warranty and the needed skills _before_ disassembling the device on your own.

I hope this posting helps others who are dealing with similar problems.

[dragonpoo]

Wow, 95 C is pretty hot. Were you doing some kind of performance testing, or was that simply real-world usage that got it to a full load?

[Gabe]

I've repasted five of my models. My GK1, AK3, AM02, AMR5 and AM06 Pro. With the GK1 and AK3 I replaced the aluminum shim with a copper one, and used Arctic Silver 5. It brought the temps down by 10-15°C on both of them. With the AM02 I used Arctic MX-4, and it brought the temps down about 10°C. With the AMR5 I originally use Arctic MX-4, and it did bring the temps down a bit, but I later got some Arctic MX-6 and redid it with that. I used MX-6 on my AM06 Pro as well. Both the AMR5 and AM06 Pro's temps were about 8-10°C lower with the MX-6.

I thought about trying the MX-6 on my T6 Pro, which has the J4125 CPU, but being that it's a stick PC I was concerned about possible damage that could occur while trying to take it apart, so I didn't bother doing it. It has temps similar to what the GK1 and AK3 had, sometimes spiking into the high 80s while under load. I don't really use it though.

[1geron]

Wow, 95 C is pretty hot. Were you doing some kind of performance testing, or was that simply real-world usage that got it to a full load?

It was indeed normal usage like working with a VM or gaming.

I've repasted five of my models. My GK1, AK3, AM02, AMR5 and AM06 Pro. With the GK1 and AK3 I replaced the aluminum shim with a copper one, and used Arctic Silver 5. It brought the temps down by 10-15°C on both of them.

I agree, Arctic is a good solution too and getting the system 10 to 15°C cooler is really a great success. I used to have Arctic products years ago too, but being curious about new solutions i've tried other cooling solutions aswell. And because the KryoSheet usage is really simple, i thought others may like that too.

Nevertheless, I don't think that should be necessary. Especially the small-volume cases with such powerful hardware should be equipped with a better cooling solution from the factory so that the end user doesn't have to do this. When I read that you have provided so many of the models with new cooling paste, it's quite remarkable.

[Gabe]

For reference, it was only with the GK1 and AK3 that I felt it necessary to do the repasting and re-shimming. I did the repasting with the other three mostly out of curiosity, especially with the AM02, but they very likely would have been fine without doing so. I have a Dell laptop that has a Ryzen 5 5625U, similar to the 5600U that both my AMR5 and AM06 Pro have. Its temps are similar to what the both originally were.

Only once did I ever see the AMR5 hit the low 90s, and that's while I was doing a Prime95 test in Performance mode.

But yeah, it'd be nice if they used a better paste in the manufacturing.

[1geron]

Ok, that puts it in perspective. While I do this often out of curiosity too, it shouldn't simply be necessary like with the AM08Pro.

This is why I plead for such systems with a great price-performance ratio like the Nipogi one to use an adequate cooling. I would gladly pay the surcharge without jeopardizing the warranty.