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Replace VRM thermal pads on GPU

Tags:
  • GPUs
  • Thermal Compound
  • ABIT
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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August 27, 2014 12:21:11 PM

Hi,

Im thinking of replacing the thermal pads on the VRM's. After trying all thermal paste application methods, the thermal pads has gotten abit rough, hehe.. But the question is, are my thermal adhesive pads worse than stock?
I got:
Alphacool double-sided thermal adhesive pads
Technical specifications:
Material: Polymers
Colour: White
Dimensions (L x W x H):100x100x0,5mm
Thermal conductivity: Up to 1W/mk
Adhesive strength: min: 16N/25mm

electrically non-conductive
conforms with ROHS

More about : replace vrm thermal pads gpu

August 27, 2014 12:24:43 PM

You mean 1 m oK/W (or 1 m oC/W), right? If so, it is a good thermal pad.

Actually, it is so good that I think that those thermal resistance values are bollock.
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August 27, 2014 12:25:40 PM

I dont mean anything. That's quoted straight from the manufacurers official site :/ 
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August 27, 2014 12:30:56 PM

The thermal resistance is stated in oC/W (degrees Celsius per watt) or oK/W (degrees Kelvin per watt). But they wrote it backwards.

Anyway, temperature increase in 0,001 oC (or oK) for every watt of power dissipation is negligible.

It is a good thermal pad.

Edit: OK, they are stating the thermal conductivity (the opposite of thermal resistance). I really don't know why are they doing that...
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August 27, 2014 12:31:52 PM

Okay, thanks man! Off I go then to switch the pads :)  I hope this will get rid of my artifact issue.. I think its cuz of overheating VRMs
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August 27, 2014 1:23:10 PM

Slobodan-888 said:
You mean 1 m oK/W (or 1 m oC/W), right? If so, it is a good thermal pad.

Actually, it is so good that I think that those thermal resistance values are bollock.


I used triple layer of the thermal adhesive... I hope I didnt screw my whole GPU now... What happends if the VRM's overheats alot? I got no sensors on the VRM :(  Tho, GPU core temp dropped from 32C to 28C. I did my favorite which i always do on my CPU.

Tint the heatsink, and then apply a small X on the core.
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August 28, 2014 12:51:44 AM

Use multiple layers of thermal pads only if you have to (to get the right thickness so you can mount the heatsink). But if only one is enough, you should use only one. More layers - higher thermal resistance / lower thermal conductivity and higher temperatures.

About VRM. It is not really a module (it would be if it is all integrated in one sealed case). It is a DC/DC buck (step-down) converter. The components in that converter that will heat up are FETs, schottky diodes, and coils. There are no temperature sensors on them, so if they overheat, they can fail.
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August 28, 2014 5:38:51 AM

But my ASUS 280X had sensors on the VRM's.. But this 270X doesnt.. Im thinking of placing a digital probe on it, like baked in the thermal adhesives..
I had to use tripple layers of adhesive to get the same thickness as the original was... Now, the artifacts in games is even worse after 40min of gameplay.... Fuck.. Can I put thermal paste on the VRM, then put thermal adhesive on?
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August 28, 2014 5:43:04 AM

Wrongly called "VRM" does not have temp sensors on its own, but designer can put them, of course. Yes, you can put sensors by yourself (make sure it is in the contact with component).

If you can (physically) use one layer of thermal pads, then do that. You will have better thermal performance.

Thermal pad serves the purpose of thermal paste. Adding thermal paste to the thermal pads will decrease thermal performance (increase component temperature).
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August 28, 2014 6:49:14 AM

I do know that the actual VRM component doesnt have a temp probe on it when manufactured, but I guess you mean like ASUS, Sapphire etc with "Designers".

Im getting RSOD (Red screen of death) now aswell, related to dxgmms1.sys, and I think thats related to the GPU.. Well... I just fked up my GPU, why do I always gotta go inside and replace things... -.-

I cant use just one layer, or well, i havent tryed, but I thought I had to make sure that the thermal pads is the same thickness as the one I replaced.. Should I try with one layer? Does the PC shutdown if the VRM or mosfets or whatever gets overheated so i dont damage my gpu perm?
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August 28, 2014 6:53:50 AM

Alanthor said:
Should I try with one layer?


Yes.

Alanthor said:
Does the PC shutdown if the VRM or mosfets or whatever gets overheated so i dont damage my gpu perm?


No.
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August 28, 2014 6:57:27 AM

I think I might have been mixing the mosfets and VRMs.. Or actually, I have no clue on what it actualy is... But its 4 black squares, some sort of chips that is on the right side of the GPU. Is that VRM or mosfets or? They are prety big.
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August 28, 2014 7:02:48 AM

Just to point out.
There is a difference between thermal conductivity (W/mK) and thermal resistance (K/W). They didn't write it backwards.
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August 28, 2014 7:05:47 AM

Mahisse said:
Just to point out.
There is a difference between thermal conductivity (W/mK) and thermal resistance (K/W). They didn't write it backwards.


So, was this replacement a total fail? Its 1W/mK, is that good?

Anyways, i wasnt talking about the VRMs, lol.. It's actually the memory on the GPU that I mixed up with VRMs...
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August 28, 2014 7:07:15 AM

Mahisse said:
Just to point out.
There is a difference between thermal conductivity (W/mK) and thermal resistance (K/W). They didn't write it backwards.


Yes I know. But in this case it is the same. 1W/mK = 1mK/W (1 devided by 1 is still 1).

Alanthor said:
I think I might have been mixing the mosfets and VRMs.. Or actually, I have no clue on what it actualy is... But its 4 black squares, some sort of chips that is on the right side of the GPU. Is that VRM or mosfets or? They are prety big.


Give me the picture and I will mark them.
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August 28, 2014 7:08:17 AM

Oh... :p  Well... My GPU is screwed...
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August 28, 2014 7:15:37 AM

Why?
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August 28, 2014 3:42:59 PM

Because I switched the thermal adhesives..
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August 29, 2014 12:07:25 AM

I mean did something burned out or what?
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!