"Burn mark" / Stain on Steam Deck OLED MB?

[Fastfishy2]

Tearing down the steam deck Oled 1tb yesterday to put new buttons and sticks in and noticed this weird stain around the processor area while under flashlight. Fan never ramps up and games run fine, so I'm a bit confused what this is from? Is this OK or should I be worried?

 

[INSTG8R]

it looks like an "oil stain" probably some seperation from the thermal material they've used. I wouldn't be concerned about it personally.

 

[Bill_Bright]

it looks like an "oil stain" probably some seperation from the thermal material they've used.

It could be from, at one point, getting too hot but from here, I agree it looks like some sort of oil stain. But IMO, that is evidence that too much TIM (thermal interface material) was applied in the first place and instead of getting squished just out to the edges of the die, overflowed out further.

You might try scrubbing a spot with a cotton swab "moistened" (not dripping wet) with isopropyl alcohol. If the stain comes off easily, I would try to carefully clean the entire area to ensure it does not continue to spread. Just be sure to observe essential ESD prevention precautions.

 

[INSTG8R]

It could be from, at one point, getting too hot but from here, I agree it looks like some sort of oil stain. But IMO, that is evidence that too much TIM (thermal interface material) was applied in the first place and instead of getting squished just out to the edges of the die, overflowed out further.

You might try scrubbing a spot with a cotton swab "moistened" (not dripping wet) with isopropyl alcohol. If the stain comes off easily, I would try to carefully clean the entire area to ensure it does not continue to spread. Just be sure to observe essential ESD prevention precautions.

I would defintely agree with that hypothesis I was just being "general" in the what and the why and not to be alarmed