Question 1

what's the difference between using thermal pads for the CPU and GPU and using thermal paste like Artic Silver?

Accepted Answer

These thermal pads are not used for same application as thermal paste would be.  Thermal paste is used for CPU and GPU to heat sink bonding like a normal PC build would use.  These thermal pads are used for some of the secondary graphics chips that are smaller and don't have a dedicated heat sink.  In a PS3 install, the pads get cut up to fit the size of a dozen or so small chips around the main board that produce a good amount of heat and it fills the gap between the chips and the aluminum main board shield so that heat can dissipate from the chips to the main board shield.  Without the thermal pad, the chips don't contact this aluminum shield.  If you take apart the PS3, you will see that Sony (OEM) used similar pad material for these ancillary chips as well, and this is to replace the old, shriveled up and/or missing pieces that were originally installed.  I would highly recommend using this thermal pad material when re-building a PS3 console, however, I would not recommend using this material on the main GPU or CPU, you would still want to use Arctic Silver or similar paste for those 2 chips.Do a search for "ps3 thermal pad locations" and you should get results that show the various versions of the PS3 mainboard and the chip locations that the thermal pad is used on.

Question 2

Is there a guide on how to install these?

Accepted Answer

No,  there isn't any guide. But the installation it's easy.  Just be aware if it's what you order

Question 3

where do i apply these thermal pads? there is not guide.

Accepted Answer

When u open the console apply them next to and around the silver platters. And the walkthrough should be on YouTube Good luck buddy!

Question 4

what is the exact dimension and thickness your picture and info are contradicting

Accepted Answer

In thickness, I'd like to say about an inch think. Perhaps even less.

High Performance Thermal Pad for Playstation 3

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