TECHiSuppose.com

This is a follow-up to my original video and article on the Pano-Mounts phase change thermal material. After I shared my feedback on the installation process, the company sent me a new, revised version of their thermal pads designed to be easier to work with. So, in this article, I'm going to walk you through my experience with this new version, from cleanup of the old material to the final installation. If you want more context, check out the original video on YouTube and article on this website .  Here is part of their e-mail message about the revised kit:  "I hope this email finds you well. We have upgraded the Phase change thermal pad based on your previous feedback regarding its difficulty in peeling off. The upgraded product has now arrived at our Amazon warehouse, and we have shipped a new unit to you. This version is designed to be easier to peel and more user-friendly. Please note that due to the hot weather, we recommend refrigerating it for two hours upon receipt b...

Old laptops are destined for recycling facilities, but they often still have a lot of potential uses. I've been working with a couple of older models myself. I have no interest in using them on the go, so I take a few steps to get them ready for use in dedicated setups. Let's take a look.  Safety first with the battery. One of the first things to consider with an old laptop, especially if you plan on using it in a stationary setting, is the battery. Older batteries can sometimes be a bit unpredictable or even pose a safety risk over time so I prefer to take them out.   Removing the internal battery from an older Acer laptop. In my opinion, if the laptop is just going to sit plugged into AC power, it's often a good idea to take the battery out. I do this with the laptops I repurpose for stationary tasks. It just simplifies things and removes one potential point of failure or risk. I store the removed batteries in "fireproof" bags. Better safe than sorry, even if th...

Today, let's take a look at the Pano-Mounts PPTM7950 phase change thermal pads. Full disclosure: Pano-Mounts did send these over for me to try out and make this video about them.  UPDATE: Pano-Mounts sent me a revised material that is easier to install, so check out the related website article and YouTube video to see that in action.  Holding the Pano-Mounts PPTM7950 thermal pad packaging. The specific pads I received are the 40x40 mm size, with a thickness of 0.2 mm. They are rated at 8.5 watts per meter Kelvin for thermal conductivity. What makes these interesting compared to standard thermal paste is that they're made of a thermally conductive phase change material.  Graphic explaining how phase change thermal pads work. Essentially, this means that when the material reaches a certain temperature (around 45°C according to their information), it softens and becomes more liquid-like. This allows it to flow and potentially fill in the microscopic gaps between a CPU's heat ...

Let's take a look at the Gladiator Joe Monitor Arm VESA Mount Bracket Adapter for two specific Samsung monitors. In my case the Samsung S24C750P.  My Samsung S24C750P monitor lacks a standard VESA mount. This was a significant negative when I was trying to get more desk space because I wanted to use a monitor arm for that screen. A quick search on Amazon and I found this adapter. Keep in mind that I purchased this bracket and have not hand any contact with the manufacturer.  The Gladiator Joe VESA mount bracket adapter fully installed on a Samsung Monitor. This adapter is specifically designed for two Samsung monitors: the S24C750P and the S27C750P. I have the 24-inch version, so I can't comment on the fit and function of the larger screen.  The connection points. The mount adapter itself is made of solid metal. It has these little stand-off connector points. It includes two sets of screws. I used the shorter ones on this screen. I assume the longer ones are for the 27-inch mod...

In my previous video, I had a bit of a disaster, I destroyed the USB 3.0 connector on my PC case. It's a cheap Fractal Focus case, so there are issues. While attempting to swap the connector to a different header on the motherboard (for better cable routing with another device), things went south, and I ended up ruining the connector on my case! The broken USB 3.0 case connector, the blue part, and the motherboard header separated. Thankfully, the motherboard itself is fine. I was really worried for a bit there, but after testing, it seems like the motherboard's USB 3.0 headers are still working fine. That's a huge relief!  Be Careful with USB 3.0 Headers! This whole experience was a reminder to be extra careful with those USB 3.0 motherboard header connectors. They can be surprisingly fragile. It seems like the cheap case connector was the main culprit. There's a visible physical difference. A comparison of the cheap Fractal Focus case connector versus another connecto...