[Shield Android TV General] RngrYogi:
Here we have a simple MOD to replace the thermal paste on my Shield TV.

I have not tested to see how bad or if this X1 chip throttles under a good load but I figured it couldn't hurt to replace the TIM with something better than stock. So here we Gooooooo!

Disclaimer: I hold no responsibility if you attempt this and break your device. You my friend bear all the risks.

Here we have the Guts! The Bottom was surprisingly easy to remove with only some clips holding it in place. So pry lightly from the corner and edges and be careful not to pry to hard or insert anything like a spludger as you may break tabs or crack the plastic so be easy and work your way around by hand if at all possible.

The device does not look as glamorous on the inside as the nvidia renders suggested when it was advertised. lol

It does however show a very small, powerful device, with a lot of added weight to assist in its premium feel and or using the available vertical stand you can purchase from nVidia. :)

Here is the connection board. I won't have to take all this stuff out at the moment but If there is a bigger demand for it I will later as I can't find many teardowns of the shield anywhere, I had found one but it was not very detailed on the method.

Here is a small piece of tape holding the very small wires away from the heat pipe. Make sure these are clear from the pipe during and after removal as you don't want to pull on them or expose them to direct contact with the heat pipe after it's reinstall.

We start by removing the two small screws holding the fan and heat sink into place.

Sometimes the small anker will come out with the screw but it can be reseated with a little pressure.

Next, begin by removing the three spring reinforced screws applying pressure to the main X1 chip.

Now we get to see and clean the gunk they slathered on at the factory! YAY! :mad:

Use some high grade alcohol at least 70% and begin cleaning with some cotton swabs and q-tips.

Ugh!! Clean it..... Clean it real good!

Oooha Shiny!

Clean the X1 chip off carefully and try not to let the gunk flop around and get pushed into the small crevices in the top of the metal CPU lid. We don't want to insulate the heat in the chip. The best method is to soak a cotton ball in alcohol but not too much and go in for one big swipe to get the bulk of the TIM off. Then go back in with a small q-tip to get the remaining film or small pieces of leftover TIM

Now simply use your TIM of choice. I chose Gelid Extreme with a thermal conductivity of 8.5w/m-k as it had exceptional results when I did a similar cooling mod to my Nexus 6P. Apply a small rice grain sized amount to the top of the X1 chip right in the middle. Mine usually end up looking like a small grey Hershey's Kiss. Do not spread it with a card or spreader. This creates air pockets under pressure and insulates the chip from the heat pipe and will cause temperatures to go up.

Now reseat the fan in the exhaust slot first.

Then begin laying heat pipe and copper plate back onto the CPU slowly, and in a straight downward fashion. If the plate makes contact with the TIM and you have to back it out for any reason, you will need to remove and clean the TIM before reapplying because now air pockets will develope.

Screw the 3 screws on the heat pipe back in tightly

Screw the fan back in securely

Clean up and snap the bottom back on and wipe her down and boom your good to go!

To break the paste in a little make sure you heat her up good and play a graphically intense game. Just anything to get the Cuda cores churning a little. Then let her fully cool off at some point by pulling the power cable and letting it sit a little to fully cool in an off state instead of simply just sleeping. This simple full heat cycle ensures the TIM adjusts and sets correctly.

Enjoy!!!:highfive: