Replacing thermal paste on an HP Pavilion Gaming 15 laptop: a detailed guide with photos and nuances

Laptop HP Pavilion Gaming 15 is a popular model among gamers and users working with resource-intensive tasks. However, over time, even powerful processors Intel Core i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7 begin to overheat due to the drying out of the factory thermal paste. If your laptop starts making loud noises, slows down in games, or suddenly turns off, it's time to update it.

In this article you will find step-by-step instructions with photos, suitable for most modifications Pavilion Gaming 15 (including 15-ec1xxx, 15-dk1xxx, 15-ak0xx). We'll look at what tools you'll need, how to carefully remove the cooling system, how to clean the old paste, and how to apply new paste so that the CPU/GPU temperature drops by 10–15°C without risk of damage to components.

Spoiler alert: the process does not require a soldering iron or special skills, but it will require patience and attention to detail. If you've never disassembled laptops, don't worry, we've covered everything typical beginner mistakes and give advice on how to avoid them.

Preparation: tools and materials

Before you start disassembling HP Pavilion Gaming 15, make sure you have everything you need. Using the wrong tools can result in chipped plastic, damaged screws, or even short circuits.

Here minimum setwhich you will need:

• 🔧 Screwdriver set: cross PH0 And PH1 (for case screws), flat (for neatly prying up the latches).
• 🧴 Thermal paste: we recommend Arctic MX-6, Noctua NT-H2 or Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut (don't skimp on this!).
• 🧻 Lint-free wipes And isopropyl alcohol (90%+) for cleaning.
• 📦 Plastic spatulas (mediators) for separating the case without scratches.
• 🔋 Thermal pads (if you plan to replace them too; the thickness is selected for your model).
• 📸 Smartphone for photographing the process (so as not to confuse the screws and connectors).

Also prepare workplace: a table with good lighting, an antistatic mat (or at least a non-synthetic cloth for a laptop) and containers for screws (you can use a magnetic board or labeled bags).

Step 1: Disassemble the case and access the cooling system

Let's start with the most important stage - removing the back cover. B HP Pavilion Gaming 15 it is secured with screws and latches, so be careful not to break the plastic clips.

Procedure:

1. Turn off the laptop, unplug the charger and remove the battery (if it is removable; in some modifications the battery is soldered in - skip this step).
2. Turn the laptop over and unscrew all screws on the back cover. Please note: they may vary in length! Take a photo of their location or arrange them into groups.
3. Take a plastic spatula and carefully lift the lid, starting from the corner near the screen hinge. The latches may be tight - do not use excessive force.
4. Remove the lid and set it aside. Now you see the motherboard, cooler and radiator.

⚠️ Attention: Do not touch components on the board with bare hands - static electricity can damage the chips. If you do not have an antistatic wrist strap, touch a grounded metal object (such as a radiator) before working.

Step 2: Removing the Cooling System and Cleaning

Now you need to separate the heatsink from the processor and video card. This step requires caution: the thermal paste can be very sticky and the heat pipes can be fragile.

Instructions:

1. Disconnect fan connector from the motherboard (usually located next to the cooler).
2. Remove the screws securing the heatsink to the board. They may be spring-loaded - unscrew them diagonallyto avoid skew.
3. Carefully lift the radiator. If it doesn’t give in, don’t pull! Warm it up with a hairdryer (temperature no higher 60°C) for 1-2 minutes to soften the thermal paste.
4. After removing the heatsink you will see the processor (CPU) and video card chip (GPU). They will be covered in dried paste.

To clean, use lint-free wipes, soaked in isopropyl alcohol. Do not rub with force - light movements are enough. Pay special attention to the edges of the crystals, where the paste often accumulates in clumps. If traces remain, repeat the procedure.

What to do if thermal paste gets on the board?

If paste gets on resistors or contacts, clean them immediately with alcohol. Do not use wet wipes - they leave streaks. If there is no alcohol, you can use WD-40 (but then dry the board for 10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Do not use for cleaning acetone, white spirit or other aggressive solvents - they can damage plastic parts or corrode markings on the board.

Step 3: Apply New Thermal Paste

This is the most crucial moment. How you apply thermal paste depends on cooling efficiency for the next 1–2 years. For HP Pavilion Gaming 15 optimal method - "cross" or "dot" (for open chip processors).

Step-by-step algorithm:

1. Take thermal paste (for example, Arctic MX-6) and squeeze out a pea the size of a grain of rice (diameter ~4–5 mm) to the center of the processor. For a video card - a little less.
2. If you have multi-core CPU (For example, Ryzen 7 4800H), apply the paste cross: one drop in the center and four small ones in the corners.
3. Reinstall the radiator and tighten the screws in reverse order (again, diagonally to avoid skew). Tighten them smoothly, without fanaticism.
4. Connect the fan header to the motherboard.

⚠️ Attention: Do not apply thermal paste too much - excess may leak onto the board and cause a short circuit. If you accidentally apply too much, remove the excess with a napkin. to radiator installations.

Processor type	Recommended Application Method	Paste quantity
Intel Core i5/i7 (4–6 cores)	Center point	Pea 4–5 mm
AMD Ryzen 5/7 (8 cores)	Cross (center + 4 dots at corners)	5 points 3–4 mm each
NVIDIA GTX 1650/RTX 3050	Dot or thin strip	Pea 3–4 mm

Step 4: Checking Thermal Pads and Assembly

In addition to thermal paste, HP Pavilion Gaming 15 are used thermal pads for cooling VRM modules and memory chips. Over time, they lose elasticity and stop transmitting heat.

How to check and replace:

• 🔍 Inspect the gaskets on the radiator. If they hard, crumbled or out of shape - they need to be replaced.
• 📏 Measure the thickness of the old gaskets with a caliper (usually 1–1.5 mm). Buy new ones with the same thickness.
• ✂️ Cut out new gaskets according to the template of the old ones (you can trace them with a marker on the new gasket).
• 🧩 Reinstall the gaskets and reassemble the laptop in reverse order.

After assembly, connect the charger and turn on the laptop. For the first 10–15 minutes, the temperature may be higher than usual - this is normal, as the paste “shrinks.” Run a stress test (eg AIDA64 or Prime95) and check the temperatures:

• 🌡️ CPU under load: up to 85–90°C (if higher, check the application of the paste).
• 🎮 GPU under load: up to 75–80°C.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when replacing thermal paste. Here TOP-5 misses, which can ruin all your efforts:

1. Overtightened radiator screws. This leads to deformation of heat pipes and deterioration of heat transfer. Tighten the screws smoothly, without effort.
2. Using cheap thermal paste. Paste type KPT-8 or unknown brands dry in 3–6 months. It's better to buy once Noctua NT-H2than changing toothpaste every six months.
3. Uncleaned remains of old paste. Even a small piece of old paste between the CPU and the heatsink creates an air gap that impairs thermal conductivity.
4. Forgot to connect the cooler. After assembly, the laptop may not turn on or turn off immediately - check the fan connector!
5. Wrong choice of thermal pads. Gaskets that are too thick will reduce the heatsink pressure on the processor, while gaskets that are too thin will not touch the chips.

If after replacing the paste the laptop won't turn on, check:

• 🔌 Connecting all connectors (especially power and cooler).
• 🔧 Correct installation of the radiator (screws should not be loose).
• 🔋 Battery (if it’s removable, try turning on the laptop without it).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about replacing thermal paste

❓ How often should you change the thermal paste in HP Pavilion Gaming 15?

The service life of thermal paste depends on its type and operating conditions:

• Silicone pastes (Arctic MX-6, Noctua NT-H2): once every 2–3 years.
• Metal-containing (Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut): once every 1–1.5 years (they dry faster, but give better results).
• Liquid metal: once every 5+ years, but requires careful application.

If the laptop is used for gaming or rendering daily, check the temperatures every six months.

❓ Is it possible to use thermal paste from a phone for a laptop?

No! Thermal pastes for smartphones (for example, for iPhone or Samsung) have a different composition and thermal conductivity. They are designed for small areas and low loads. Laptops require pastes with thermal conductivity from 8 W/mK.

❓ What to do if, after replacing the paste, the laptop began to warm up more?

Probable reasons:

1. Incorrect application of paste (too much/too little, unevenly).
2. Poor contact between the heatsink and the processor (check the screws).
3. They forgot to remove the protective film from the thermal pads (if they were changed).
4. Dust in the cooler (clean the fan with compressed air).

Disassemble the laptop again and check each point.

❓ Do I need to change the thermal paste on the video card?

Yes, if you have disassembled your laptop, it is better to change the paste and GPU. Video cards in HP Pavilion Gaming 15 (For example, NVIDIA GTX 1650 or RTX 3050) heat up no less than the CPU, especially in games. Use the same application method (dot or thin strip).

❓ Is it possible to do without replacing thermal pads?

If the gaskets look normal in appearance (soft, no cracks), they can be left. However, remember that over time they lose their elasticity. The best option is to replace them along with thermal paste, especially if the laptop is more than 2 years old.