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Released October 24, 2011 / 2.2, 2.4, or 2.5 GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7 Processor

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Heat sinks heat pipe construction.

Hi!

Im refurbishing my old 15" 2011 macbook pro with quad core i7.

Im cleaning and reapplying thermal pastes atm, and I got an strange guestion, I thought you at ifixit are propably the most qualified persons willing to answer this one.

The heatsink has 2 heatpipes which seems to run trough both CPU and GPU contact areas. But I noticed when I stressed my CPU and fiddled with Fan operation, that only the Left side fins (if I remember correctly) got hot, and only left side fan blowed warm air. The right side got warm too, but noticeably less.

What my guestion really is:

Does the both heatpipes connect to both GPU and CPU or is GPU and CPU connected to their own heatpipes?

Just that if they both should have contact with CPU and GPU, my heatsink might have problem with the contact on one of the heatpipes and is better off replaced.

Much appreciated :)

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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Yes, both heat pipes are connected to each of the heat sinks as you can see here: MacBook Pro Heatsink

And yes yours had a problem! It is fitted with a liquid coolant which has leaked out. You might see some staining on your logic board.

When you get the replacement make sure you don't confuse them ;-} Hint: with a good gram scale you can weigh them the lighter one is the bad one.

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I have the MPB disassembled, and I can see they are at equal length and should make contact to both.. Just cant see how the heatpipes are in contact underneath. But all evidence points to the they should be equally connected to both CPU and GPU. Or it would be really strange decision from engineering point of view. Better just get an replacement sink to be safe.

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Teemu Velin will be eternally grateful.
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