TIM for GPU

jc13

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Mar 25, 2013
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I applied a CM V1 IC Value (pea size & no spread) on my Asus r7 260x 2gb, 1188/1750 stock clocks, which only cost 4-5$ and noticed that when playing gpu-instensive games e.g. Shadow of Mordor, Black Flag, AC unity, FC4 my gpu temp is 77-85c with gpu fan speed 40-50%, using MSI Afterburner & HWmonitor, so I have two questions first is, does cheap or low quality TIMs tend to "melt" fast if temps on gpu are over 70c? I also applied the same CM TIM on my cpu, which is a i3 4130 @ 3.4 ghz, & idle is 38-41c & under load is 55-61c so thats where my theory comes from heh, second is AS5 or MX4? I also like other TIM suggestions cheers! :)
 
Solution
The thermal paste you are using should be ok for the Gpu of the 260x card.
Just to help you along.

You are best off cleaning the Heat sink cooling solution for the card where it contacts the gpu, and the gpu die it`s self.
When you apply the thermal paste don`t just put a pea sized blob on the gpu die.
Use something like a health lottery plastic card from your local shop if you live in the Uk.
Spread the paste all over the size of the Gpu die in a thin layer.

Once you have done this.
You need to attach the cooling solution of the graphics card by starting at one corner turning the screw till it is thumb tight.
Then tighten the opposite side diagonal to it thumb tight, then do the next two the same way.
Once they are all finger tight...

jc13

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Thanks for the suggestion but I'm not familiar with Vegamite & I don't live in AUS heh. I don't think I can find that in my country (Philippines) as well. :)
 
The thermal paste you are using should be ok for the Gpu of the 260x card.
Just to help you along.

You are best off cleaning the Heat sink cooling solution for the card where it contacts the gpu, and the gpu die it`s self.
When you apply the thermal paste don`t just put a pea sized blob on the gpu die.
Use something like a health lottery plastic card from your local shop if you live in the Uk.
Spread the paste all over the size of the Gpu die in a thin layer.

Once you have done this.
You need to attach the cooling solution of the graphics card by starting at one corner turning the screw till it is thumb tight.
Then tighten the opposite side diagonal to it thumb tight, then do the next two the same way.
Once they are all finger tight use a screwdriver and do a quarter of a turn on each screw again going opposite diagonal.
Do not tighten the screws too much as you may create lift of the cooling solution on on edge of the die.

The reason your temps are so high will be because there is too much paste between the cooling solution and the Gpu die it`s self. a Good indication of too much paste is you will notice that the temp of the gpu it`s self will rise very rapidly as soon as you launch a game to play.

If you follow this guide then the temps should go back down to 40c or more when in windows at idle and slowly rise 1c every 30 seconds when playing a game ect. and hover at about 60c or a bit more after a few minuets of gaming.
Then when you stop the game and exit it should drop in temp reasonably quickly.

 
Solution

azathoth

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Oh god. I just can't. This was great.

---For a GPU you will want a NON-CONDUCTIVE thermal paste, that is less viscous. (Easy to spread) Because a GPU heatsink mounts at low-pressure, a tougher compound may not spread properly.
 

jc13

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Yea but the article is old & too think replacing toothpaste over thermal paste. :pt1cable:
 

jc13

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http:// This is the TIM that I'm using & it's high thermal conductive. Do you mean non\low thermal conductive?
 

jc13

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Thanks for the tip. :) Do you mean by blob size is 3x more than the pea size? I thought less is more when it comes to TIMs. I guess only quality TIMs can do less is more heh.
 

jc13

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The Blob size worked (x2 than pea size) but the spreading method gets messy so I had to re-apply again & let the pressure do the job & I forgot to mention I always tighten the screws of the cooler & it turns out bad because the pressure is too much between the chip & heatsink making the TIM layer very thin. Guess I won't need to buy a new TIM for now. :) Idle is @ 38-42c & full load is 77-78c max. Thanks for help & jokes guys!