Using Thermal Paste instead of Pads, XSPC Razor 780

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Hachimitsupan

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Oct 28, 2014
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Hey guys,

I recently bought a XSPC Razor 780 Waterblock + Backplate along with a Gigabyte GTX 780 OC. Unfortunately, while attempting to put on the block, I figured that I had bought the Rev 2, not the Rev 1 of the GPU, which didn't have a reference PCB.

Now I have a mate who doesn't mind trading his EVGA GTX 780 (Reference PCB) for my Gigabyte GTX 780. However, I no longer have the thermal pads as I had applied them to my other GPU to find out that it didn't fit.

The question is: Is it possible to use Thermal Paste/TIM instead of Thermal Pads as long as it's not conductive?

I'm not able to get thermal pads in Perth, but I can get them online from Sydney/Melbourne (PCCaseGear, etc). However I'd rather not pay for delivery and everything for one small item. Shops like MSY and PLE don't sell them either, so if anyone knows where I can get my hands on thermal pads in Perth, that'd be great.

Thanks!
 
Solution
manofchalk
Thats a tricky question, the reason pads are used instead of paste there is twofold.
1. To make up for manufacturing error, if there is a gap between VRM/VRAM and cooling block, paste is pretty useless.
2. These components are surrounded by bare PCB, so if you apply too much you will have paste potentially causing shorting problems.

You can re-use thermal pads unlike paste, I dont see why you cant just strip the ones that came with the block off your Gigabyte, keep them sealed so they dont dry out and apply it to the EVGA when you get it.
My reference 7970 cooler is actually sitting in the box covered in glad wrap, so I can see the placement of the original pads if I ever have to RMA the card (and hence have to apply the reference...
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manofchalk

manofchalk

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May 11, 2012
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Thats a tricky question, the reason pads are used instead of paste there is twofold.
1. To make up for manufacturing error, if there is a gap between VRM/VRAM and cooling block, paste is pretty useless.
2. These components are surrounded by bare PCB, so if you apply too much you will have paste potentially causing shorting problems.

You can re-use thermal pads unlike paste, I dont see why you cant just strip the ones that came with the block off your Gigabyte, keep them sealed so they dont dry out and apply it to the EVGA when you get it.
My reference 7970 cooler is actually sitting in the box covered in glad wrap, so I can see the placement of the original pads if I ever have to RMA the card (and hence have to apply the reference cooler, custom water is a big no-no on warranty :lol:).
 
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H

Hachimitsupan

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Oct 28, 2014
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0
4,510


Ohh I see! Thanks for the response. So if I tested the contact of the block with the VRM/VRAM etc and it was solid, I would have no issues? (given I use non conductive paste to avoid shorting)

The reason I can't reuse the pads on my Gigabyte is because after applying them, I had to remove them to put on the reference cooler, and I accidentally ripped two of the strips.. Haha. So I threw them all away x.x
 
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