Acer Nitro 5 AN515-57 - Cleaning and Changing Thermal Paste
Quick links for the tools you need:
KOLD-01 Thermal Paste (includes KOLD-01 Thermal Paste x 1, Gloves x 1 pair, KLEAN-01 Thermal Paste Cleaning Wipe x2, Spreader x 1, Spatula x 1, Instruction x 1 )
KLEAN-01 Thermal Paste Cleaning Wipe (includes KLEAN-01 Thermal Paste Cleaning Wipe x 20, Gloves x 1 pair, Spreader x 1, Spatula x 1)
KOMBO-01 Screwdriver Set (includes Screwdriver bits x100, Driver handle x1, Extension shaft x1, Flexible extension shaft x1, Tweezers x1, 1/4"to 4mm Driver adapter x1, Plastic pry tools x3, SIM card removal tool x1, Suction cup x1, Opening picks x8, Magnetizer/Demagnetizer x1, Anti-static Brush x1, Magnetic Screw Mat x1)
If you’re trying to change the thermal paste on your Acer Nitro 5 AN515-57, but you don’t have experience cleaning and changing thermal paste on a laptop, taking professional help is always a good idea. Here’s everything you need to know before you attempt to change your thermal paste.
But first, let’s talk a bit about what you could get after you’ve successfully done the procedure.
What will I get after changing the thermal paste?
To make it clearer, we performed stress tests on a 2-year-old Acer Nitro 5 AN515-57, before and after applying the new thermal paste. For this test, we used our very own Kooling Monster KOLD-01 thermal paste.
Before applying the new paste, the CPU reached a temperature as high as 91.3 degrees Celcius during the stress test. After applying the new paste, the temperature was reduced to a much cooler 62.8 degrees Celcius during the stress test.
That’s around 43 degrees of improvement just by applying a new thermal paste!
What to prepare before you replace thermal paste?
Before getting started with the process, you need to have all the essentials by your side.
First and foremost, you need to have the new thermal paste with you. Make sure to pick a high-quality one for optimum results.
You also need some equipment to clean up the old paste. We recommend getting a dedicated cleaning solution, like Kooling Monster KLEAN-01. Plus, if you opt in to get Kooling Monster KOLD-01 thermal paste, you get cleaning wipes free of cost in the package.
You also need a set of screwdrivers to disassemble your laptop. To open the laptop's case, you’d need a spudger and a triangular pry tool. You also need to make sure you keep the screws organized. For that, you could use a magnetic mat to keep different screws.
When opened, you’d need some additional cleaning equipment to clean up your fans and other hardware components. That includes small brushes and compressed air (or an air blower).
Kooling Monster KOMBO-01 contains all the things you need for the disassembling and cleaning process.
To apply the new paste, you need a spatula to spread it evenly — which comes in the KOLD-01 packaging for free.
Lastly, we recommend wearing a pair of protective gloves while doing all this. If you get our KOLD-01 thermal paste or KLEAN-01 cleaning kit, protective gloves come free of cost in the package, so you don’t have to worry about that.
How to disassemble the Acer Nitro 5 AN515-57 laptop and replace the thermal paste?
Step 1: Prepare Your Tools
Gather all the tools and materials required for this task.
Step 2: Remove the Laptop Case and Battery
Turn your laptop upside down.
Use a PH0 bit to unscrew all 11 screws on the bottom cover.
Use a magnetic mat to place the screws to avoid mixing them up.
Align a spudger with the corner of the casing and pry open the bottom cover.
Lift the bottom plate to fully open the cover.
Unplug the power cord using a spudger.
Press the power button for 15 seconds to discharge any remaining power.
To avoid static electricity, wash your hands or wear gloves.
Step 3: Remove the Heatsink and Old Thermal Paste
Use a spudger to remove the right fan's power cord by wiggling the connector back and forth.
Disconnect the screen's connector with the spudger.
Move to the left fan and disconnect it using the spudger.
Peel off the adhesive tape from the network card and disconnect the wires.
Use the PH0 bit to unscrew the 2 screws on each fan.
Remove the 7 screws from the central heatsink in a diagonal pattern to prevent uneven stress.
To remove the heatsink, peel off the adhesive tape and loosen the middle screws.
As you remove the wires from both sides, thread them through the heatsink.
Use Kooling Monster KLEAN-01 thermal paste cleaning wipes for efficient cleanup of the old thermal paste. Gloves can be worn to keep your hands clean.
Step 4: Clean the Fan
Switch to the PH000 bit and sequentially remove the four screws from each fan, then open the fans.
Use an anti-static brush to dust off the surface and the fan blades.
For more thorough cleaning, use compressed air, keeping some distance to prevent liquid from spraying out.
Once clean, reassemble the fans and screw them back in.
Step 5: Apply the New Thermal Paste
Apply high-performance thermal paste (Kooling Monster KOLD-01 recommended) onto the CPU and GPU.
Use a spatula to evenly spread the thermal paste and remove any excess. Alternatively, use the pea-size method.
Note: If you did not remove the old pink thermal pads earlier, there's no need to apply new thermal paste to the chips around the CPU and GPU.
Step 6: Reassemble Your Laptop
Start by threading the wires on both sides through the heatsink.
Use the PH0 bit to install the heatsink.
Install the four screws on both fans.
Stick the tape back on the left fan and reconnect the network card wiring and fan power.
Repeat the previous step for the right fan, reconnecting the screen wiring and fan power cables.
Plug in the power cord and power up to check if the fans are working properly.
Finally, reinstall the 11 screws on the bottom cover in the order you removed them.
How often should you change the thermal paste?
It depends on what you do on your laptop and how good is the thermal paste you’re using.
As gaming is an intensive task, if you game on your PC at least a few times per week, we recommend replacing the thermal paste every 1-2 years. However, if you’re using a low-quality paste, you might need to replace the paste more often. (Learn more about How Often Should You Replace Thermal Paste?)
The general rule of thumb is to keep an eye on your thermals. As soon as you notice that your thermals are going higher than they should, it’s likely that your thermal paste needs changing — and you should replace it at that point.
How long does it take for thermal paste to work?
Good quality thermal pastes don’t need any time to start working. For example, if you use KOLD-01, it starts giving you the best possible performance as soon as you assemble your laptop and start using it.
However, some pastes do have a “curing time”, which means that paste requires a certain period of time before it starts giving its best performance. The curing time is usually mentioned on the product page. (Learn more about How Long Does It Take for Thermal Paste to Work?)
The bottom line
Let us know which laptops to demo this process with next!
Even though replacing the thermal paste may sound like a hefty job, it’s pretty easy if you follow the right instructions. To begin with, make sure you have the right equipment by your side.
Disassemble your laptop, clean up the fans, remove the old paste, apply the new one, then put everything back together.