What the Service Includes
The thermal pad replacement service covers work on all components that rely on soft pads for heat transfer. In laptops we replace pads on VRM (CPU and GPU power stages), chipset, southbridge, M.2 SSD controller, GDDR6/GDDR6X graphics memory chips, sometimes Wi-Fi module and audio chip. In desktop graphics cards we replace pads under memory chips, VRM modules, chokes, capacitors, and chipset (if present). Old pads are removed, surfaces cleaned of adhesive residue and old interface with 99% isopropyl alcohol and plastic scrapers. Original pad thickness is measured with a micrometer or caliper, new pads are selected by thickness (0.5–2.0 mm) and conductivity. Pads are cut precisely to chip size, installed without air gaps, and uniform contact pressure is ensured via heatsink or backplate. After reassembly mandatory testing follows: FurMark + MSI Kombustor for GPU, 3DMark Time Spy Stress, AIDA64 System Stability focused on GPU and VRM, temperature monitoring of memory chips and power elements (HWiNFO, GPU-Z). Memory frequency stability, artifact absence, and voltage stability are verified. In Khmelnytskyi we also assess thermal paste condition on GPU/CPU during work, clean heatsink fins from dust, and recommend optimal fan settings. The service is especially critical for gaming laptops and high-TDP graphics cards where memory and VRM overheating is a common performance bottleneck.
When the Service is Needed
Thermal pad replacement is necessary when factory or previously installed pads lose elasticity, dry out, pump out, or have insufficient thermal conductivity. Key signs: GDDR6/GDDR6X memory chip temperatures exceed 95–105 °C under load (checked via GPU-Z or HWiNFO), VRM modules reach 100–120 °C+, memory throttling occurs (effective frequency drops 10–30%), artifacts appear in games after 10–30 minutes of load, random graphics driver crashes, GPU self-protection with frequency reduction. Laptops after 1.5–3 years of intensive use (gaming, mining, rendering) often suffer from VRM and SSD overheating – system lags, battery drains quickly, keyboard gets very hot. Desktop RTX 3080/3090/4080/4090/5090 and RX 6800/6900/7900 cards after 1.5–2 years may develop memory issues due to stock pad degradation. If temperatures remain high after CPU/GPU thermal paste replacement – the problem lies with the pads. In Khmelnytskyi Grade recommends preventive replacement every 1.5–3 years on hot systems or at any sign of thermal performance limiting on graphics card or processor power delivery.
Work Stages
- Diagnostics: measurement of memory chip, VRM, chipset temperatures under load (FurMark + Kombustor, 3DMark Stress, HWiNFO).
- Disassembly: safe removal of graphics card heatsink/backplate or laptop cooling system, battery disconnection.
- Old pad removal: careful detachment from chips, power elements, controllers, surface cleaning of adhesive and residue.
- Measurement & selection: precise determination of original pad thickness and sizes, selection of new pads by conductivity and dimension.
- New thermal pad installation: cutting to size, mounting without air gaps, ensuring tight contact.
- Reassembly with pressure control: even screw tightening, verification of no heatsink misalignment.
- Post-replacement testing: prolonged GPU and VRM stress, monitoring temperatures, memory frequencies, stability, and artifacts.
- Recommendations: fan curve adjustment, usage and maintenance interval advice.
Work is performed with maximum component protection, using antistatic wrist straps and high-quality materials.
Why Choose Grade in Khmelnytskyi
Grade in Khmelnytskyi has extensive experience replacing thermal pads on high-end gaming laptops and graphics cards – from RTX 3060 to 5090, RX 6800 XT to 8900 XTX, plus premium laptops with RTX 4080/4090 and Ryzen 9/Intel Core Ultra. We use current 2024–2025 pads with documented thermal conductivity, precisely match thickness to each chip, and understand disassembly and clamping specifics across ASUS ROG, MSI GE/RAID, Lenovo Legion, Razer Blade, Alienware models. Clients record memory temperature drops of 20–40 °C, complete GDDR6X throttling elimination, and stable high-frequency operation after service. See reviews. We also perform PC repair, laptop repair, and thermal paste replacement. Open Mon–Sun 11:00–20:00 at Panasa Myrnoho St, 31/3, Khmelnytskyi. Contact via +380 97 719 4430 or Telegram. Our specialists continually test new pads and track cooling design changes in modern graphics cards. We combine with TV repair and coffee machine repair. Grade provides professional thermal pad replacement in Khmelnytskyi.
Easy from Anywhere in Ukraine
Not in Khmelnytskyi? Ship your laptop or graphics card via Nova Poshta – we’ll replace the thermal pads and return the device. Details on the page. Convenient for residents of Sumy, Kyiv, Dnipro, Lviv, Odesa. Secure packaging, insurance, full post-service testing included. We also accept remote phone repair, charging station repair, and robot vacuum repair with delivery.
