I'll probably do benchmarks wiht the laptop on a cooler (cooler fans off) that's slightly raised, if that sounds okay? This is what I use 95% of the time I'm on the computer. As long as I'm consistent with doing all the tests like this, shoud be fine right?
Yes only on the CPU, not any other heatsinks. (I'm assuming you're referring to the NB heatsink? I'm not really very familiar with this).
It's interesting actually, I wasn't even able to get the paste/pad off of the entire heatsink, no matter how much I pryed at it and poured alcohol on it, possibly because his laptop got so hot with dust completely blocking the vent. The compound was caked onto the heatsink. I got it off 95% of the heatsink, and the remaining 5% just created a border around where it sits on the proc. By my estimation, 25-35% of the thermal compound wasn't even in contact with the proc. There was a big rectangle of compound on the heatsink, but there was a smaller raised rectangle on the proc, where it seems liek the two make contact. I only focused on getting the compound off in the area of the smaller rectangle.
I'll post pictures when I do mine, if anyone cares.
Edit: also, any recommendations for fan rpm monitors?