How to Replace the Graphics Module Thermal Pad in your Framework Laptop 16

ID: 205712

Description: Use this guide to replace the thermal pad in...

Steps:

1. Unplug all cables and fully shut down your laptop.

2. Use your fingernail to pull out the two Input Module latches and unlock them.
3. The latch will show red if it's unlocked.

4. Use your fingers to slide the Touchpad Spacer toward the bottom edge of the laptop and unclip it.
5. If you're having trouble, check if the corresponding Input Module latch is properly unlocked.
6. Lift the Touchpad Spacer off the laptop and remove it.

7. Repeat the same procedure for the other touchpad spacer.

8. Use your fingers to slide the Touchpad Module toward the bottom edge of the laptop and disconnect it.
9. If you're having trouble, check if the Input Module latches are properly unlocked.
10. Lift the Touchpad Module and remove it.

11. The keyboard is held in place with strong magnets. Apply gradually increasing force to avoid having the keyboard violently eject.
12. Grip the two pull tabs along the bottom of the keyboard and lift until its magnets release.
13. Remove the keyboard.

14. Your Input Module(s) might be different, but the procedure to remove them is the same.
15. Grip the pull tab at the bottom of the Input Module and lift until its magnets release.
16. Remove the Input Module.
17. Repeat for any remaining Input Modules.

18. Lift the interposer door by its black pull tab and let it rest upright.

19. Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the four captive T5 Torx screws securing the interposer.

20. Lift the interposer by its pull tab and remove it.

21. Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the two captive T5 Torx screws securing the Graphics Module.
22. Close the interposer door before continuing.

23. Close your laptop and flip it over.
24. Slide the Graphics Module out of the laptop and remove it.
25. The module should slide out easily. If you feel any resistance, check that the screws holding it in place are fully loosened.

26. There are two models of Graphics Modules:
27. NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5070 (first photo)
28. AMD Radeon™ RX 7700S (second photo)
29. There are slight visual differences between the models, but the disassembly procedure is the same.

30. Use your Framework Screwdriver to remove the four 3.6 mm‑long T5 Torx screws securing the Graphics Module cover:
31. Two screws on the flat surface of the module, next to the fans.
32. Two screws on the thin edge of the module, near the ends. You'll need to flip the module on its back edge to access them.

33. Use your fingers to lift the cover off the Graphics Module and remove it.

34. Use the flat end of a spudger, or a clean fingernail, to lift up and release the locking tab on the left fan ZIF connector.
35. Use your fingers to grip the brown pull tab and slide the fan cable straight out of its socket.

36. Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to loosen the four captive screws securing the left fan.

37. Use one hand to press the fan cable flat to the module.
38. Use your other hand to pull the fan out of its housing, making sure to thread the cable though its slot.
39. Remove the fan.

40. Use the flat end of a spudger, or a clean fingernail, to lift up and release the locking tab on the right fan ZIF connector.
41. Use your fingers to grip the brown pull tab and slide the fan cable straight out of its socket.

42. Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to loosen the four captive screws securing the right fan.

43. Use one hand to press the fan cable flat to the module.
44. Use your other hand to pull the fan out of its housing, making sure to thread the cable though its slot.
45. Remove the fan.

46. The screw configuration will look different depending on your Graphics Module, but the procedure is the same.
47. Use your Framework Screwdriver to loosen the captive T5 Torx screws securing the Graphics Module Heatsink:
48. Loosen the captive screw at the bottom left corner of the heatsink.
49. Loosen the captive screws directly over the GPU in order from 1–4 (the numbers are engraved on the metal near the screw).

50. Use the flat end of the Framework Screwdriver to pry up the flat metal plate under the heat pipes until you feel the thermal pads separate.
51. Don't pry under the heat pipes as you risk bending them.

52. Grip the edges of the heatsink, near its curved pipes, and lift it straight up to remove it.

53. Congratulations on completing disassembly! The remaining steps will show how to reassemble your Framework Laptop.

54. Your Graphics Module will have either a thermal pad or thermal paste. Follow the procedure normally to remove either compound.
55. Use a few drops of high concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth to wipe away the thermal compound residue.

56. Repeat the previous step for the thermal compound residue on the bottom of the heatsink.

57. Peel off the clear liner from the thermal pad to expose one side of it.
58. Place the exposed side of the thermal pad over the CPU.
59. If you have trouble handling your thermal pad, you can store it in your fridge for a few minutes to make it more rigid.

60. Use your finger to lightly press the thermal pad to the GPU and bond it.
61. Remove the green liner from the thermal pad to expose its top side.

62. Align your heatsink over the CPU and place it straight down onto the Mainboard.
63. The thermal pad needs to go through a few thermal cycles before it gets to full performance.

64. The screw configuration will look different depending on your Graphics Module, but the procedure is the same.
65. Use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the captive T5 Torx screws securing the Graphics Module Heatsink:
66. Tighten the captive screws directly over the GPU in order from 4–1.
67. Tighten the captive screw at the bottom left corner of the heatsink.

68. Place the right fan onto the Expansion Bay Shell, making sure to thread the cable through its slot.

69. Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to tighten the four captive screws securing the right fan.

70. Use your fingers to grip the brown pull tab and slide the right fan cable straight into its socket.
71. Use the flat end of your Framework Screwdriver, or a clean fingernail, to press down the locking tab on the fan ZIF connector.

72. Place the left fan onto the Expansion Bay Shell, making sure to thread the cable through its slot.

73. Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to tighten the four captive screws securing the left fan.

74. Use your fingers to grip the brown pull tab and slide the left fan cable straight into its socket.
75. Use the flat end of your Framework Screwdriver, or a clean fingernail, to press down the locking tab on the fan ZIF connector.

76. Place the cover over its slot on the Graphics Module.

77. Use your Framework Screwdriver to install the four 3.6 mm‑long T5 Torx screws securing the Graphics Module cover:
78. Two screws on the flat surface of the module, next to the fans.
79. Two screws on the thin edge of the module, near the ends. You'll need to flip the module on its back edge to access them.

80. Align the Graphics Module with its slot in the laptop.
81. Check that the module sits evenly with the rail on the outside edges of the slot.
82. Check that the two center rails are threaded between the fans.

83. When installing the module, keep it level to the laptop so it doesn't buckle on the rails.
84. There should be no gaps between the laptop and the module when it's installed correctly.

85. While keeping the module level with the laptop, slide it into its slot.
86. The module should slide in easily. If you feel any resistance, pull the module out and realign it.
87. You should hear an audible "click" when the module's clips snap into place.

88. Flip over the laptop and open it.
89. Lift the interposer door by its black pull tab and let it rest upright.

90. Use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the two captive T5 Torx screws securing the Graphics Module.

91. Place the interposer over its spot between the Mainboard and the Graphics Module.

92. Use your Framework Screwdriver to tighten the four captive T5 Torx screws securing the interposer.
93. Close the interposer door.

94. The numpad is held in place with strong magnets. Apply gradually increasing force to avoid having the numpad violently eject.
95. Grip the pull tab at the bottom of the numpad.
96. Lift the pull tab until the numpad magnets release.
97. Remove the numpad.
98. During reassembly, make sure the numpad is seated properly on its alignment pegs and sits flush with the edges of the laptop.

99. Align the top edge of the keyboard with the top edge of the laptop.
100. Lay the keyboard on the laptop and let the magnets pull the keyboard into place
101. Make sure the keyboard is seated properly on its alignment pegs and sits flush with the edges of the laptop.

102. Place the Touchpad Module flat on its cutout so its clips are properly aligned.
103. Press the Touchpad Module down and slide it into place so it lines up evenly with the bottom edge of the laptop.

104. Place the Touchpad Spacer over its spot on the laptop with the bottom edge overhanging slightly.
105. Slide the Touchpad Spacer towards the top of the laptop to secure it.
106. Repeat the same procedure for the other Touchpad Spacer.