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2.3GHz, 2.6GHz, or 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.7GHz) with 6MB shared L3 cache.

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Tape over processor and GPU?

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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

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Why are you taking the system apart? At least to this level.

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Because I am repairing past damage. Note I labeled the CPU and GPU backwards as well.

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Chosen Solution

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 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

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Product

Arctic Silver ArctiClean

$9.99

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Guide

How to Apply Thermal Paste

Difficulty:

Moderate

5 - 20 minutes

MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 Heat Sink Image

Guide

MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 Heat Sink Replacement

Difficulty:

Moderate

25 minutes - 1 hour

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Actually, not the grey thermal paste. One the left side, the GPU, there is a black tape like covering over the processor. The left side, CPU, doesn't have the tape and Im looking for what it might be or if Kapton tape is it. I posted the picture to the original post.

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Are you talking about the black cover over the components just behind the CPU & GPU against the back edge? This tape helps keep dust & moisture out of the system via the open grill work thats needed to cool the system (cool air source). I don't think it's Kapton tape as that is transparent orange in color. I'm sure a good quality black tape would so here if you damaged what you had.

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No, the tape that is actually on the GPU. The tape on the other components are alright. If you can tell, the tape is restricted to the surface of the GPU. You can see some of the thermal compound bleeding over to it. Whereas you see on the CPU the lack of the "black region" and only green showing where the tape should be.

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I haven't needed to lift the heat sink on this system yet and the info I have doesn't show anything other than the paste. What you maybe speaking of here is a heat sink pad which Apple had used in older models and moved away from them as they tended not to work to well (the older generation). One didn't use paste in conjunction with the pads. You should clean and reuse these pads as they special properties in conducting the heat.

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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

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PS - if you want to clean off the tape (like these sorely need) -- good ole' 90% isopropyl, but be careful not to remove too much of the adhesive residue that helps keep it in position.

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Where can you buy a replacement or a "roll of"

What is it's correct title so we can do a search?

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Hi jcarter! I'm doing a repaste job on my 2015 retina macbook pro and this mylar protector cover is disgustingly ugly with old thermal paste. I can't really clean it right...can I easily remove it, clean it and re-attached it or I risk ruining it?

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Read through this whole thread, it is highly likely that you will indeed destroy it when you try to remove it for cleaning.

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allanwl the old mylar protector will likely be destroyed and need to be replaced. Below is a link to the high temp- anti static tape that was recommended to me. I simply cut the sizes I needed to isolate the exposed contacts on the surface of the processor while leaving the die exposed. Should work just fine for you.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W3F...

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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.

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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.

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Okay. It definitely feels like a tape because the bottom side attached to the chip has an adhesive. Thanks!.

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The only thing I can think of here is the need of a spacer. I would be surprised it is just PVC tape. I would leave it alone as you really don't need to remove it.

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If you want to be technical, I believe the new ones (not the thick older ones) are made of a version of mylar or mylar blend. The older ones, and the piece that goes over the integrated GPU (not the discrete w/ the heatsink) is most likely a pvc deriv. It is thick, non-pliable, and doesn't need to tolerate the kind of heat that is under the heatsink. It's more for protection from debris. The older pieces like this in previous models were similar to this material. However, I suggest mylar as the likely material because of its very high tolerance/resistance to high heat. Just thought I'd mention since you made note of the PVC comment. Just keeping things simple for the average DIY'er :) I can change my vernacular... instead of "PVC," we'll use "mylar" and instead of "tape," we can say "ribbon" or "film" - since the closest thing comparable is a very thin film or ribbon. The adhesive underneath is just a non-conductive silicon base by 3M. Hope that clears it up. Now this fella has to hit the sack. Night all.

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