I recently changed the thermal paste on my second-hand GTX 1050 Ti, and I noticed a circular piece of transparent plastic between the GPU heatsink and the chip. I'm wondering if that should be there or if it's something that needs to be removed. Any insights would be appreciated!
2 Answers
I would be careful with it, though! If it's not visually damaged and seems to be an original part, it’s probably fine. But if you're ever in doubt, consult forums or guides specific to your model for clarity.
That plastic piece is likely a protective layer that’s not meant to be removed, especially if it’s not causing any issues. It can help with thermal transfer in some cases. Just make sure it's not damaged. If you're really unsure, check if it’s specified in the manual or online guides related to that GPU model.

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