290/x owners and TIM replacement effects (have you done it?)

[Face2Face]

I saw around 9C drop in temps with my 7950s replacing the stock TIM with IC Diamond, and that was with less fan speed.

My reference on air 470s saw an even greater improvement replacing the stock TIM, I pretty much swear by it now.. And it's even more important now that both companies are using temps to throttle.

From the IC Diamond, which I personally wouldn't recommend for these bare die's we're seeing now (due to scratching)... To the CLU I saw another 3-4C drop at the same fan speed.

I never cared for my TF3's fan noise over 55%, so it was vital for me personally to get them to transfer heat as well as I could because I normally ran them around 60C with 47% fan @ 1100 core.

That's a pretty big difference. Any recommendation on how to apply it without getting it on anything else but the die? I assume just a thin coat on the GPU die only?

 

[Rvenger]

I have used the line method on the GPUs personally and saw a nice improvement on the temps.

 

[wand3r3r]

EVGA definitely allows it. I've talked to their phone CS (their phone CS is great , BTW) and they basically have a similar policy to MSI in this respect - you can remove the shroud but the PCB cannot be damaged. You are also required to restore the condition with the original shroud if you need to RMA.

So you can essentially remove the cooler no problems with an EVGA card. I don't know if anyone has mentioned it in this thread, but with all of these cards and brands...be careful with the screws on the shroud. They're super small and easy to strip, be gentle and use a proper (small) screwdriver for the job. If you strip one before removing it, you'll have to drill it out - and it will be a complete pain in the neck.

I know they do, I researched this a while ago when I made the warranty list. Unfortunately I didn't record where I got confirmation from (some reps were in contact in forums, some I found online). I don't dare say anything unless I have proof. EVGA has the best warranty, MSI is essentially as good but they have 2 years after which I think you pay $25 or something iirc. There is a small difference between the two anyway.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArCtGVODPUTtdEdEUjRiSFdyckZ1Q1dGNUI3bkd5R+1E#gid=0

 

[BallaTheFeared]

That's a pretty big difference. Any recommendation on how to apply it without getting it on anything else but the die? I assume just a thin coat on the GPU die only?

Yep, same way you do the CPU.

I use a water color paint brush when I do it.

 

[wand3r3r]

That's a pretty big difference. Any recommendation on how to apply it without getting it on anything else but the die? I assume just a thin coat on the GPU die only?

Put it on slightly more liberally than a CPU. I put it as thin as I could and after a week when I opened it up (temps rose a couple degrees) I was surprised to see that it wasn't quite sufficient. Not too much, but a thin layer which isn't stretched too thin to be adequate. It's hard to explain in words, and pictures are also difficult to judge. Personally I've taken a plastic bag over my fingertip and spread it out to ensure it suffices. Actually there was a very comprehensive review about it and they tested every combination (rice/pea drop vs. line vs. x etc) I should try dig that article out.

And EVGA basically states they warranty them if you return them to stock without damage.
http://www.evga.com/support/warranty/

• Removal and or Defacing of Serial/Part number sticker(s) on ANY EVGA products WILL void ALL warranties on that product. All products ship from EVGA with a serial sticker.
• All products must be returned in its original condition. Products received by EVGA for replacement that include 3rd-party attachments (CPU heatsink backplate, memory chip heatsinks, etc) will have all attachments removed and discarded. EVGA holds the discretion to return the product to the sender if necessary.
• The product must be returned to EVGA in the original factory configuration and condition. All aftermarket modifications must be reversed before sending in the product for replacement.

 

[Face2Face]

I have used the line method on the GPUs personally and saw a nice improvement on the temps.

yeah, I use that method on both my cpu's and gpu's, been fine so far :thumbsup:

Yep, same way you do the CPU.

I use a water color paint brush when I do it.

The package comes with a brush of a sort. I may use that and give it a try when I find a dirt cheap H55 or similar to put on the card.

Put it on slightly more liberally than a CPU. I put it as thin as I could and after a week when I opened it up (temps rose a couple degrees) I was surprised to see that it wasn't quite sufficient. Not too much, but a thin layer which isn't stretched too thin to be adequate. It's hard to explain in words, and pictures are also difficult to judge. Personally I've taken a plastic bag over my fingertip and spread it out to ensure it suffices. Actually there was a very comprehensive review about it and they tested every combination (rice/pea drop vs. line vs. x etc) I should try dig that article out.

Thanks. That article would be nice to look through if you can find it.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

Yes it shouldn't look dry, or dull, but have some shimmer to it due to a slight excess "wet" look.

That is what works best for me anyways.

If you don't use enough it seems to want to congeal or basically group up over time causing areas with no TIM.

 

[wand3r3r]

This isn't what I was referring to but Toms has a look at a few things worth looking at.

Part 1: About the application of TIM.
Includes a GPU, take a look they have brief examples of pea / line etc.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/thermal-paste-heat-sink-heat-spreader,3600.html

Then part 2 they compare TIM pastes.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/thermal-paste-performance-benchmark,3616.html

 

[wand3r3r]

Yes it shouldn't look dry, or dull, but have some shimmer to it due to a slight excess "wet" look.

That is what works best for me anyways.

If you don't use enough it seems to want to congeal or basically group up over time causing areas with no TIM.

Yep. TIM will cure over time. If there isn't enough it is as you mentioned.

Eventually you may need to (or want to) reapply especially if the temperatures creep up. Note that most of them have a curing time before they are steady (was it a week for some) so check the temperatures after a while to know what to be comparing to.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

I'm talking specifically about Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra, it's different than pastes.

 

[wand3r3r]

I'm talking specifically about Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra, it's different than pastes.

Oh, ok. The first couple sentences I wasn't sure about but that last one about congealing or grouping is relevant (bare spots or thin spots) with other pastes as well.

 

[wand3r3r]

A couple guys on [h] appear to be having excellent results replacing TIM.

(Just make sure you have a card which will not drop the warranty - MSI/EVGA/XFX-email them, and maaaybe gigabyte)

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1797371

 

[Face2Face]

Just to confirm, I called the MSI MB/VC warranty service dept and they confirmed that I can remove the heatsink on my MSI card. When I asked if I damaged the white do not remove sticker on the screw, they said it will NOT void the warranty.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

All three of my MSI 7950s had void if removed stickers on the screws, just putting that out there... Though I think they just do that to scare noobs off, because everything I've seen says as long as you don't physically damage the card doing it they'll honor the warranty.

Just to confirm, I called the MSI MB/VC warranty service dept and they confirmed that I can remove the heatsink on my MSI card. When I asked if I damaged the white do not remove sticker on the screw, they said it will NOT void the warranty.

:thumbsup:

 

[Face2Face]

because everything as long as you don't physically damage the card doing it they'll honor the warranty.

Exactly what they said

MSI :wub:

 

[wand3r3r]

Exactly what they said

MSI :wub:

I second that. MSI :wub:

Thanks for the update too.