I'm diving into GPU maintenance and I'm wondering if thermal putty is a good substitute for thermal pads. Specifically, I've got an Igame 3070 Ultra OC, but I'm unsure about the thickness I need for it. Any advice?
2 Answers
Thermal putty can be a solid alternative to thermal pads, especially if you're not sure what thickness to use. Just a heads-up, though: it can be a bit tricky to clean up compared to pads. Make sure you're okay with that before you dive in!
Are you dealing with thermal throttling issues? What are the temperatures you’re seeing on your GPU? I might be able to help with that!
It's not throttling, but it does feel hotter than my old 3060 Ti. Initially, my temps were around 75-79°C under full load. After changing the thermal paste, my 3070 is now at 69-72°C at full load in an air-conditioned room, with idle temps around 38-41°C. Just thinking of changing the pads to bring down those temps into the low to mid 60s at full load.
What kind of cleanup issues are we talking about? Is it manageable? I’m looking to trade up to a 3080 soon, so would you recommend using putty for a first-timer? I like tinkering but I'm a bit nervous since I’ve only repasted before.