HP OMEN 16-b1016ns - About heat dissipation

Hi there!

I also own an HP Omen 16-b1xxx notebook (the exact model you have, with the I7-12700H and RTX 3060) and have gone through the exact same maintenance process, including your initial doubts about that thermal material.

You are absolutely correct in identifying that "thermal gel." Based on my own experience with this laptop, its viscosity, and consistency, it is virtually certain that the material found on your VRAM, VRMs (Voltage Regulator Modules), and other components is K5 PRO. This is a well-known, high-performance thermal putty/viscous paste, not a traditional thermal pad.

Now, let's address your doubts directly:

1. Once opened, does the thermal gel lose effectiveness?
   • Yes, absolutely and definitively. Once a thermal putty or gel like K5 PRO is disturbed, exposed to air, or loses its original compression from the heatsink, its thermal transfer properties are compromised. It can dry out, crack, or "pump out" from between the chip and the heatsink.
   • It is not just recommended, it is MANDATORY to replace it when you open the heatsink assembly for cleaning and re-pasting your CPU/GPU. If you don't, you risk thermal throttling on these critical components, leading to instability, performance degradation, or even potential long-term damage during heavy loads like gaming or rendering.
2. If it becomes necessary, what size thermal pad should I use as a replacement? (I doubt I can find that gel in my country).
   • You're right to question using thermal pads, because this material is a putty/gel, not a traditional solid thermal pad. Therefore, you should not use thermal pads as a direct replacement. Their thermal conductivity and gap-filling properties are different, and using the wrong thickness of a pad can cause improper heatsink mounting pressure on your CPU/GPU.
   • Recommended Replacement Thermal Putties/Viscous Pastes:
     • K5 PRO: Since this is the OEM material, it's a direct replacement. You can often find it online (e.g., on eBay, direct from the manufacturer "computer-systems gr" based in Greece, though shipping might add to the cost).
     • UPSIREN U6 PRO: This is what I personally use now. Its consistency is very much like a soft, pliable plasticine. It's readily available on Amazon and is an excellent, highly effective alternative to K5 PRO.
     • Thermal Grizzly Putty: This is an electrically non-conductive alternative to traditional thermal pads, specifically designed for GPU modifications and the replacement of thermal pads between the PCB and the cooler. It's a premium option from a well-regarded brand, known for top-tier thermal performance.
   • These materials are applied as a thin, conformable layer directly onto the chips (VRAM, VRMs, etc.) – you don't need to worry about specific "sizes" as you would with thermal pads.
3. Does the motherboard have thermal sensors near those components? (To know how much confidence I can have in the software).
   • Yes, it almost certainly does. Modern gaming laptop motherboards like your OMEN 16 are extensively instrumented with thermal sensors. You will typically find sensors located near or on critical components like VRMs (Voltage Regulator Modules) and sometimes directly on or near VRAM modules (though VRAM temperatures are often inferred or aggregated with GPU temperature).
   • You can gain confidence in these readings by using advanced monitoring software. I highly recommend HWInfo64. It provides comprehensive sensor data, including temperatures for various motherboard components, individual CPU core temperatures, and detailed GPU temperatures (including hot spot and memory junction temperatures), allowing you to accurately monitor the effectiveness of your thermal applications.
4. What thermal gel do you recommend?
   • As outlined above, for the OEM-like replacement, I highly recommend K5 PRO, UPSIREN U6 PRO, or Thermal Grizzly Putty. All three are excellent choices for ensuring optimal thermal performance on your OMEN's secondary components.

Final Takeaway:

Since you're already doing a deep clean and re-pasting your CPU and GPU (using your chosen thermal paste, which is excellent), it is absolutely mandatory to also clean off the old K5 PRO thermal putty from the VRAM, VRMs, and other components, and apply a fresh layer of your chosen thermal putty/viscous paste. This ensures your entire cooling system performs optimally, preventing performance degradation and maintaining the longevity of your powerful OMEN 16-b1xxx.

I hope this comprehensive answer helps you and anyone else looking for this crucial information!