I'm planning to repaste and replace the thermal pads on my Gigabyte Windforce RTX 2080 Ti later today. I have a phase-change thermal sheet and assorted thermal pads that I can cut to size, and I'm picking up cleaning supplies before starting. Are there any easy-to-miss precautions or tips I should know before taking the cooler apart?
3 Answers
For the phase-change sheet, chilling it for around ten minutes can make it easier to handle and position. Cut it slightly larger than the GPU die so the entire contact area is covered, but avoid leaving large folds or excess material that could interfere with mounting.
The biggest thing is matching the original thermal-pad thicknesses. Graphics cards can use several different sizes in different locations, and using pads that are too thick or too thin can hurt cooler contact with the GPU core. Measure the old pads with a caliper if possible, and take photos before removing them.
Be gentle with the PCB and fan connector. Use a plastic tool rather than anything sharp or metal when unplugging the cable. Before separating the cooler, check that every screw has been removed. If the paste is stuck, gently warming the heatsink with a hair dryer can soften it and reduce the force needed. When lifting the cooler, work from the middle with a slow rocking motion instead of pulling up from the ends, which can flex or damage the board.
Good call—I’ll double-check the screws and take it slowly around the fan cable and cooler.
That’s helpful. I’m getting a caliper and have a variety of pad thicknesses ready, since finding reliable sizing information has been difficult.