Comments on: Dell D820 Overheating – Solved

By: david stoll

david stoll — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:19:30 +0000

anyone know where i can get a thermal pad for the GPU?

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 21:03:15 +0000

Had the same problem, just gobbed some thermal on the GPU and problem solved. Thanks!!!!

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 06:49:26 +0000

I’ve ran into this as well, but I had the benefit of other D820s to look at. I’m glad the thermal paste worked, but what is actually supposed to go there is a thermal gap pad, similar to the light blue pad for the mainboard chipset seen in your photo. The factory pad for the GPU goes sticky side down (that’s why it doesn’t stay attached to the cooling solution like the chipset pad does), with copper foil between it and the GPU core surface.

I wonder why Dell techs seem to routinely leave it out. Best practice is to replace all pads/paste with new materials when reinstalling a cooler, so perhaps their instructions say “do not reuse”, but there is no replacement piece included?

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 07:59:31 +0000

Thanks for the info, but that problem is to do with defective GPUs. The GPU in this case works fine, it is the cooling that is the problem.

By: Another Tom

Another Tom — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 05:00:16 +0000

Pleas, read this: http://en.community.dell.com/dell-blogs/b/direct2dell/archive/2008/08/18/nvidia-gpu-update-dell-to-offer-warranty-enhancement-to-all-affected-customers-worldwide.aspx

By: Charlie

Charlie — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:05:29 +0000

Thank you.

I have exactly the same problem and will try this tomorrow when I get a chance to get some grease. But am certain its the same issue…..Replaced motherboard….upgraded to Windows 7……graphics heavy apps cause the fan to ramp up and then laptop shuts down suddenly.
I thought it was the GPU as opening Windows Media centre immediatly causes it to happen.

Thank you man

By: Tom

Tom — Sun, 30 May 2010 22:22:31 +0000

It’s soldered to the motherboard, the only way to replace it is via Dell or by cannibalizing another D820.

By: John Newcomer

John Newcomer — Sun, 30 May 2010 22:09:05 +0000

Thanks for the info. I have a D820 with a sick GPU. Did it appear the Nvidia part is replaceable? I suspect it’s soldered in and even if not, I don’t know where I’d find one.

Anyway, any further info would be much appreciated.

Regards,
John