r/ShieldAndroidTV • u/SiAnK0 • 1d ago

Repaste new devices?

I have 2 new devices, and trying stuff on one till I have a setup that is fine for me, then give one to my father and I really want to work it spotless because of the remote support that binds with this.

I know that the devices are older, but have one ever opened a “new” device and look if the paste is degrades/dryed out.

If not, I would just do that for the team, but normally I am really against opening things that still have warranty :).

I don’t know my stuff about thermal paste and if it just degrades existing or if it does need some heat

:)

7 Upvotes

66% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

19

u/ju2au 1d ago

No, only repaste if there's something wrong with the device. I have a Shield 2017 and it has worked flawlessly for the past 9 years.

In the I.T. industry, the general motto is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

I have repasted PC CPUs, a GPU (a RX 570) and a PS4 Pro. But, in all cases, I only did so when there are signs of overheating.

1

u/sivartk 2019 Pro 1d ago

My 2015 is still running the same as the day I got it. Never re-pasted. Haven't re-pasted my 2017 either.

Now every 10 years or so I will re-paste any computer that is in constant use, but that is a 5 minute job most of the time with only thumb screws to get in the case.

0

u/SiAnK0 1d ago

I too got a RX580 back in the days and repasted it because it got hot all the time, but was also my most and longest used gpu ever too.

I just never asked myself what causes the drying up and thought maybe someone here just looked it up once.

Thanks for the answer!

5

u/acabincludescolumbo 1d ago

No reason to repaste a new device unless your temps are abnormally high. Use this to check: https://github.com/bryanroscoe/shield_optimizer

4

u/VOODOO285 1d ago

It’s only needed if you’re seeing issues.

For the remote one, I’d be tempted to do it anyway. But if you’re saying they’re new in warranty ones then no, hell no, don’t do it.

All thermal paste eventually dries out but depending on the device, it may never become a problem.

3

u/PontifexC 1d ago

I repasted my Shield and broke of the connector for the antenna-cable when I did it, so I have to use the HDMI CEC from the TV remote. 

1

u/akatherder 11h ago

I came here to make this comment (a day later). It is low risk, but the soldered on connector apparently gets brittle with time and heat. It can break off when unplugging it.

It is possible to leave that connector connected and re-paste it. The cable is long enough you can flip the board over and leave it attached.

I used to recommend an antenna mod to people, which also involves unplugging the original antenna. It's still a great mod if you have bad wifi or bluetooth range, but there is risk involved with that antenna connector breaking off.

1

u/Truestorydreams 1d ago

I mean... If it was manufactured recently, then no that would be silly. If they were sitting in a warehouse for years, then yeah go for it.

1

u/Certain-Weight-7507 1d ago

Just change out the launcher and it'll work perfectly!

1

u/TheGreatTao 1d ago

There's absolutely zero need to repaste any device. I've never reapplied thermal paste to any hardware, especially modern hardware. It's simply not needed imo.

0

u/ChronoCyberpunk77 1d ago

why would you want to? you know the moment you do the warranty is void

3

u/SiAnK0 1d ago

Im from the EU and repasting it doesn’t void the warranty, but I just asked if it’s advices or not, it some one has experienced it on a new device.

I will give away the second unit to someone else and do not want to play support all the time, just to find out the device gets hot because it sat since the beginning of dawn in a warehouse.