RTX 3090 'cooked' thermal compound

[Bastiaan_NL]

While preparing my 3090FTW3 for its new waterblock I noticed that the thermal compound was completely dry. The thermal pads were fine, and the compound on the core itself was a bit hard but not dry.

Now I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure that a thermal compound should not be this dried out. It broke here and there while removing the cooler and chunks fell down on the desk. I guess this is what you get if you run this type of card 24/7 for 8 months, though always below 70°C.

So I just wanted to share this with you all, I guess you can expect something like this with a powerful card. But after using it for only 8 months it might be a bit early for maintenance like changing the pads and compounds.

 

 

Edited August 1, 2021 by Bastiaan_NL

[J7SC_Orion]

2 hours ago, Bastiaan_NL said:

While preparing my 3090FTW3 for its new waterblock I noticed that the thermal compound was completely dry. The thermal pads were fine, and the compound on the core itself was a bit hard but not dry.

Now I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure that a thermal compound should not be this dried out. It broke here and there while removing the cooler and chunks fell down on the desk. I guess this is what you get if you run this type of card 24/7 for 8 months, though always below 70°C.

So I just wanted to share this with you all, I guess you can expect something like this with a powerful card. But after using it for only 8 months it might be a bit early for maintenance like changing the pads and compounds.

 

 

 

...for VRAM, VRM (not GPU die)...
 

...

[Bastiaan_NL]

Yeah, I think it was something like that. I'll be using pads with the waterblock, only 1mm gap between the block and the components.

 

[Odyn]

To this day I still don't know the proper clearances to change out the terrible foam they used. I keep perusing the EVGA forums and I can never get an exact answer. I have two 85x45x1.5mm and one 85x45x0.5mm thermalpads (12.8w/mk) -- any idea which thickness goes where? 

The closest thing I've found is this, but doesn't say which thickness is for what area:

[Bastiaan_NL]

23 hours ago, Odyn said:

To this day I still don't know the proper clearances to change out the terrible foam they used. I keep perusing the EVGA forums and I can never get an exact answer. I have two 85x45x1.5mm and one 85x45x0.5mm thermalpads (12.8w/mk) -- any idea which thickness goes where? 

The closest thing I've found is this, but doesn't say which thickness is for what area:

I can get a pretty accurate measurement for you, because the cooler still contains most of the thermal pads and putty and it is so dried out that it's more like concrete than foam. So it did not change thickness after removing the cooler.
I'll add the measurements to the picture you provided from the front of the GPU.

 

[EDIT]

Mad paint skills:

Measured at more than 5 points per location, pretty accurate caliper. I hope this helps  

Edited August 3, 2021 by Bastiaan_NL