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What is the black tape that is laid around the cpu and gpu chip? is it kapton tape? or where could i get it from? Update Hi there. I took a good picture and what I was refering to was under the heat sink. There is a tape like layer surrounding the chip with an exposed center for the die. On the left chip you can see the black tape and the right does not have it. It did before and this is what im trying to find out what to replace it with. The first more professional image is what it should look like
Are you sure you have correctly identified the CPU & GPU? There is a heat sink that lays across the chips with thermal paste between. Review this IFIXIT guide: MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 Heat Sink Replacement. Please post a good hires picture here if you have something different. Update This grey stuff is the thermal paste. This is critical in controlling the CPU’s & GPU’s temperature. I strongly recommend you clean the chips of what’s left and apply a clean coat of a good quality paste. Arctic Silver ArctiClean Arctic Silver Thermal Paste Once you break the bonding between the chip and the heat sink as you have here, you will loose the efficiency of the heat transfer. Basically, you will burnout the chips as they can’t dissipate the heat properly if you stick the heat sink back on now. Follow this IFIXIT guide on the proper way to clean & re-apply the paste: Technique: Applying Thermal Paste
Paul – just trying to offer a bit of assistance with visuals. These are the bits of “tape” to which you refer I gather. Granted, this plethora comes from multiple models, but this should clear things up. This pvc tape-like layer offers protection from the surface components on the GPU and CPU (note the bumps and small soldered on bits on both the GPU and CPU). It helps prevent the heat sink from damaging those bits (metal to components) while allowing the chips’ “face” to touch or come within close proximity (with thermal grease) of the heat sink without damage. This “tape” layer also helps regulate the even pressure applied across the chips and their sensors (this is tested with ASD software from Apple to determine whether or not the heat sink is set in place properly). Without this tape layer, you will likely fail a heatsink/CPU sensor test… and run into problems. You also run the risk of damaging the components on the chips. TAKE NOTE: the CPU tape has small additional “strips” with adhesive on all four sides… see the pic. Small black pieces down by the ESD kapton tape. Those must be in place. Don’t lose them. They usually stick to the “tape,” but will occasionally stay on the CPU or fall off, requiring you to place them back into their proper placement. I can send you a diagram of that if you need it. Cheers
I’d like to add my experience. I had one dead MacBook Prothat was previously worked on and missing the “black tape.” I repaired it, and after it turned on, installed heat sink and sent it away. Came back next day with the CPU arching or shorting on the heat sink. I removed the heat sink, cleaned, installed kapton tape (good quality, thick tape), renewed the thermal paste, and reinstalled the heat sink. Hasn’t come back since.
its not a tape its more like a square rubber or silicone pad. it acts like a thermal paste but its always used in conjunction with thermal paste. i put just a small dab on the pad and smear it evenly and wipe excess off just like any other job just 1 added step.
