How to Replace the Graphics Module Thermal Pad in your Framework Laptop 16

Escrito Por: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Comentários: 0

How to Replace the Graphics Module Thermal Pad in your Framework Laptop 16

Dificuldade

Moderate

Passos

Tempo necessário

15 - 30 minutes

Introdução

Use this guide to replace the thermal pad in your Framework Laptop 16 Graphics Module.

This guide is applicable for both the NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5070 and AMD Radeon™ RX 7700S Graphics Modules. There are slight visual differences between the two, but the procedure is identical.

After installation, the thermal pad needs to go through a few thermal cycles before it gets to full performance.

Ferramentas

Peças

Framework Laptop 16 Thermal Pad - Size D

Passo 1

Unplug all cables and fully shut down your laptop.

Passo 2

Use your fingernail to pull out the two Input Module latches and unlock them.
The latch will show red if it's unlocked.

Passo 3

Use your fingers to slide the Touchpad Spacer toward the bottom edge of the laptop and unclip it.
If you're having trouble, check if the corresponding Input Module latch is properly unlocked.
Lift the Touchpad Spacer off the laptop and remove it.

Passo 4

Repeat the same procedure for the other touchpad spacer.

Passo 5

Use your fingers to slide the Touchpad Module toward the bottom edge of the laptop and disconnect it.
If you're having trouble, check if the Input Module latches are properly unlocked.
Lift the Touchpad Module and remove it.

Passo 6

The keyboard is held in place with strong magnets. Apply gradually increasing force to avoid having the keyboard violently eject.
Grip the two pull tabs along the bottom of the keyboard and lift until its magnets release.
Remove the keyboard.

Passo 7

Your Input Module(s) might be different, but the procedure to remove them is the same.
Grip the pull tab at the bottom of the Input Module and lift until its magnets release.
Remove the Input Module.
Repeat for any remaining Input Modules.

Passo 8

Lift the interposer door by its black pull tab and let it rest upright.

Passo 9

Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the four captive T5 Torx screws securing the interposer.

Passo 10

Lift the interposer by its pull tab and remove it.

Passo 11

Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the two captive T5 Torx screws securing the Graphics Module.
Close the interposer door before continuing.

Passo 12

Close your laptop and flip it over.
Slide the Graphics Module out of the laptop and remove it.
The module should slide out easily. If you feel any resistance, check that the screws holding it in place are fully loosened.

Passo 13

There are two models of Graphics Modules:
NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5070 (first photo)
AMD Radeon™ RX 7700S (second photo)
There are slight visual differences between the models, but the disassembly procedure is the same.

Passo 14

Use your Framework Screwdriver to remove the four 3.6 mm‑long T5 Torx screws securing the Graphics Module cover:
Two screws on the flat surface of the module, next to the fans.
Two screws on the thin edge of the module, near the ends. You'll need to flip the module on its back edge to access them.

Passo 15

Use your fingers to lift the cover off the Graphics Module and remove it.

Passo 16

Use the flat end of a spudger, or a clean fingernail, to lift up and release the locking tab on the left fan ZIF connector.
Use your fingers to grip the brown pull tab and slide the fan cable straight out of its socket.

Passo 17

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to loosen the four captive screws securing the left fan.

Passo 18

Use one hand to press the fan cable flat to the module.
Use your other hand to pull the fan out of its housing, making sure to thread the cable though its slot.
Remove the fan.

Passo 19

Use the flat end of a spudger, or a clean fingernail, to lift up and release the locking tab on the right fan ZIF connector.
Use your fingers to grip the brown pull tab and slide the fan cable straight out of its socket.

Passo 20

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to loosen the four captive screws securing the right fan.

Passo 21

Use one hand to press the fan cable flat to the module.
Use your other hand to pull the fan out of its housing, making sure to thread the cable though its slot.
Remove the fan.

Passo 22

The screw configuration will look different depending on your Graphics Module, but the procedure is the same.
Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the captive T5 Torx screws securing the Graphics Module Heatsink:
Loosen the captive screw at the bottom left corner of the heatsink.
Loosen the captive screws directly over the GPU in order from 1–4 (the numbers are engraved on the metal near the screw).

Passo 23

Use the flat end of the Framework Screwdriver to pry up the flat metal plate under the heat pipes until you feel the thermal pads separate.
Don't pry under the heat pipes as you risk bending them.

Passo 24

Grip the edges of the heatsink, near its curved pipes, and lift it straight up to remove it.

Passo 25

Congratulations on completing disassembly! The remaining steps will show how to reassemble your Framework Laptop.

Passo 26

Your Graphics Module will have either a thermal pad or thermal paste. Follow the procedure normally to remove either compound.
Use a few drops of high concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth to wipe away the thermal compound residue.

Passo 27

Repeat the previous step for the thermal compound residue on the bottom of the heatsink.

Passo 28

Peel off the clear liner from the thermal pad to expose one side of it.
Place the exposed side of the thermal pad over the CPU.
If you have trouble handling your thermal pad, you can store it in your fridge for a few minutes to make it more rigid.

Passo 29

Use your finger to lightly press the thermal pad to the GPU and bond it.
Remove the green liner from the thermal pad to expose its top side.

Passo 30

Align your heatsink over the CPU and place it straight down onto the Mainboard.
The thermal pad needs to go through a few thermal cycles before it gets to full performance.

Passo 31

The screw configuration will look different depending on your Graphics Module, but the procedure is the same.
Use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the captive T5 Torx screws securing the Graphics Module Heatsink:
Tighten the captive screws directly over the GPU in order from 4–1.
Tighten the captive screw at the bottom left corner of the heatsink.

Passo 32

Place the right fan onto the Expansion Bay Shell, making sure to thread the cable through its slot.

Passo 33

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to tighten the four captive screws securing the right fan.

Passo 34

Use your fingers to grip the brown pull tab and slide the right fan cable straight into its socket.
Use the flat end of your Framework Screwdriver, or a clean fingernail, to press down the locking tab on the fan ZIF connector.

Passo 35

Place the left fan onto the Expansion Bay Shell, making sure to thread the cable through its slot.

Passo 36

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to tighten the four captive screws securing the left fan.

Passo 37

Use your fingers to grip the brown pull tab and slide the left fan cable straight into its socket.
Use the flat end of your Framework Screwdriver, or a clean fingernail, to press down the locking tab on the fan ZIF connector.

Passo 38

Place the cover over its slot on the Graphics Module.

Passo 39

Use your Framework Screwdriver to install the four 3.6 mm‑long T5 Torx screws securing the Graphics Module cover:
Two screws on the flat surface of the module, next to the fans.
Two screws on the thin edge of the module, near the ends. You'll need to flip the module on its back edge to access them.

Passo 40

Align the Graphics Module with its slot in the laptop.
Check that the module sits evenly with the rail on the outside edges of the slot.
Check that the two center rails are threaded between the fans.

Passo 41

When installing the module, keep it level to the laptop so it doesn't buckle on the rails.
There should be no gaps between the laptop and the module when it's installed correctly.

Passo 42

While keeping the module level with the laptop, slide it into its slot.
The module should slide in easily. If you feel any resistance, pull the module out and realign it.
You should hear an audible "click" when the module's clips snap into place.

Passo 43

Flip over the laptop and open it.
Lift the interposer door by its black pull tab and let it rest upright.

Passo 44

Use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the two captive T5 Torx screws securing the Graphics Module.

Passo 45

Place the interposer over its spot between the Mainboard and the Graphics Module.

Passo 46

Use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the four captive T5 Torx screws securing the interposer.
Close the interposer door.

Passo 47

The numpad is held in place with strong magnets. Apply gradually increasing force to avoid having the numpad violently eject.
Grip the pull tab at the bottom of the numpad.
Lift the pull tab until the numpad magnets release.
Remove the numpad.
During reassembly, make sure the numpad is seated properly on its alignment pegs and sits flush with the edges of the laptop.

Passo 48

Align the top edge of the keyboard with the top edge of the laptop.
Lay the keyboard on the laptop and let the magnets pull the keyboard into place
Make sure the keyboard is seated properly on its alignment pegs and sits flush with the edges of the laptop.

Passo 49

Place the Touchpad Module flat on its cutout so its clips are properly aligned.
Press the Touchpad Module down and slide it into place so it lines up evenly with the bottom edge of the laptop.

Passo 50

Place the Touchpad Spacer over its spot on the laptop with the bottom edge overhanging slightly.
Slide the Touchpad Spacer towards the top of the laptop to secure it.
Repeat the same procedure for the other Touchpad Spacer.