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MP 6,1 Mac Pro 2013 Thermal Core copper fading
- Thread starter darthrazz
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I have something similar on one of the GPU copper plates, it's even more sever. At first sight it looked like caked thermal compound (the machine hasn't been disassembled for 5 years or more), but I could not scrub it off. There is also something looking like a fissure. I reapplied the thermal compound, but it looked strange - maybe corrosion? It did feel like the patch was recessed into the copper plate, so for now I just filled it with thermal compound, but...
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I've seen corrosion like this in the past, my bet is on a drop of sweat from the person that was installing it and was not cleaned, then the copper corroded over time. Weird, but happens. You should clean and lap it with a 600 then polish with 2000 wet sandpaper.
This type of corrosion is more frequent seen with HVAC parts that had flux applied for soldering/brazing, if you do not clean it thoroughly, the copper will corrode and some times even disintegrate over a long period of time.
I was thinking about buffing it in some way but I'm a bit worried that I will take too much off - so there would be a cavity - and I don't know how thick the copper plating is. I presume the thermal core is not entirely copper right?
That said, I see used thermal cores on eBay for about 20-30 euros, might be cheaper and easier than cleaning.
That said, I see used thermal cores on eBay for about 20-30 euros, might be cheaper and easier than cleaning.
Just remove the corrosion, should be just a light lap/polish with a wet sandpaper.
I usually start with an already used wet sandpaper to see if I can remove the corrosion without removing any of the good copper around, then after the corrosion is removed I start the lapping process - there are lot's of YouTube videos about this process.
I never inspected this heatsink assembly thoroughly , but usually Apple heatsinks are full copper core and not just plated aluminium.
Yes, you don't already have the wet sandpaper, buffing compound and lot's of time, it's probably better to buy the whole assembly if you can find it for just €30.
Yes, but you gonna remove some microns while lapping and the vapor chamber is several millimeters below.
Hmm - it felt like the corroded recession in the coldplate was not microns thick, more like a third of a millimeter. So what kinda scared me is that you have to take material off all over the plate, and quite a bit of it. Either way - I agree with you that it is probably more cost-effective to replace the thermal core. Just need to find the right thermal pads.