Need help regarding CPU upgrade...Anxious to do it...

Hey all!!

I have the T2600 in my laptop, and I have had a T7600 sitting in a box here for several days now, but I simply haven't had any time to install it.

Until now! So far, I've printed out all the instructions for replacing it (what to remove and how, etc.), and I also have the motherboard version 3, which I was told was necessary for my particular laptop in order to upgrade from a Core Duo to a Core 2 Duo, so I'm all set...

...EXCEPT two things: Thermal paste/grease, as well as some kind of ESD material (anti-static item(s?)), so as not to fry my T7600, or maybe even my entire motherboard???

So where, oh where, do I buy this thermal paste, and what kind(brand?) of this grease do you recommend? Should I also buy a special cleaner to clean out the old grease, as one of my buddies suggested? I want to do this right. Is this really that big a risk???

And do I really need the anti-static stuff, too, and if so, what do I get, and where?? I've installed RAM sticks, along with other, less intrusive things like a WWAN card. I have never bothered with any of these precautions, and one time, I even left the battery in (I know, I know...).

I know the CPU is very sensitive, but is it really that brutal a risk? Depending on who of my IT buddies I ask, they say everything from "OMG, be careful, and be sure to use ESD material even for your feet!" to "Upgrading a CPU? Easy. You just gotta get some thermal grease, and you're done. No worries "....LOL...

So it's what, somewhere in the middle? lol...What do I definitely need to watch out for? And where do I get GOOD QUALITY thermal paste, and any ESD stuff, if I really need it!!????

Thanks to all...I've had this baby for almost a week now, but didn't have time until now. I really really want to do it ASAP though...

 

Tony pretty well summed things up and I'd pass along a very strong recommendation that you use Artic Silver as opposed to just any ol' thermal paste. It will be good for as much as 5-6° C over anything else you might be tempted to try.

 

Here are the instructions for Arcticsilver:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/ins_route_step2intelas5.html
Basically, you need the thinnest, most even layer, you can get.

There are some suggestions for cleaning off the old compound.

Check your temps when you startup, if they seem high, you will need to try again.

Matt