Should I Repaste My GPU (7800XT, ~30C delta)?

YeemaiI on 14/07/2024 - 18:09

I've been using my Asrock Steel Legend 7800XT for more than half a year now, and my temps have always been a bit odd.

When not gaming, there's an 8C difference between my core and hotspot temps. Under heavy load however, this difference becomes closer to 30C, at 55C and 85C respectively on 1440p max graphics in RDR2. This is annoying as the fan speed ramps to max, which on a triple fan card is quite loud.

Some quick research (Reddit) says that a difference of 10-15C is ideal, and anything higher than 25C I should just re-paste. So what do the computer people of OzBargain think? If so, any recommendations for thermal pastes and/or pads? TIA

Computing AMD Computer Component Video Card

Comments

  • tebbybabes on 14/07/2024 - 18:21
    +2

    I don't overclock and have not kept up with a lot of new fangled things… But I have built and continue to build PCs for more than three decades now.

    Just off the cuff, I'd say 85C at heavy load is perfectly fine and that you have nothing to worry about. That's just my 2c. I'd be interested in reading about what other computer folks might say.

    Good luck!

  • S Baldrick on 14/07/2024 - 19:09
    +2

    If the temps settle at 85, perhaps try adjusting the fan curve? My old Sapphire Nitro+ RX480 would always settle somewhere between 75-80 IIRC (even after a repaste), so I just adjusted the fan speed so it wouldn't be too loud.

  • srven3 on 14/07/2024 - 19:26
    +1

    Also look at case cooling (do you have sufficient air flow in and out, fans facing correct directions), ambient room temps etc…

    • YeemaiI on 14/07/2024 - 20:19
      +1

      I'm sure I've got all that set up correctly, my CPU has never gone above 60C. Perhaps I should do more tinkering with the GPU fan curves as mentioned above.

      • srven3 on 15/07/2024 - 13:32

        What CPU are you running?
        60 is great for mid/high end CPU under load.
        Fan curves are important, suggest min. being 40%, the defaults usually have very low % for way to long which means it ramps up and down quickly causing way more noise than necessary.
        Good Luck mate

        • YeemaiI on 15/07/2024 - 14:37

          Running a 13600K with a Phantom Spirit 120SE, it's an excellent cooler. Thanks for the info!

  • Switchblade88 on 14/07/2024 - 19:45
    +3

    I would definitely try if you're confident enough to do so.

    My 3070 was running similar hotspots; after repasting it dropped back to its (original) delta of about 12 degrees so it definitely made an improvement. Only like 8 screws in total and really straightforward if you've got a reference Youtube video to follow.

  • OMGJL on 15/07/2024 - 01:14
    +1

    the ultimate solution is to repaste the GPU, which solves the core of the problem.

    but problem is by opening the GPU, if any defect occurs afterwards (even if it's unrelated), manufacturer might start bitching about the GPU has been disassembled before.

    and your own repair skill plays a huge role as well, you might damage the GPU yourself too.

  • AlienC on 15/07/2024 - 02:32
    -1

    If you are confident in doing so I would attempt a repaste mainly because im curious to know if it will actually help

    It definitely won't make it worse unless you go bush somewhere

    Depending on how much time you want to invest in this also check your fan config is setup for a proper flow setup

    offtopic = my cpu temps have been doing very well with this winter blast coming through nsw (gpu temps have stayed the same)

  • theHMASfriendship on 15/07/2024 - 07:27
    +1

    You can do whatever you put your mind to, yeemail. You are strong, you are fierce, you are brave

  • TSH on 15/07/2024 - 10:15
    +1

    thermal grizzly graphene sheets. Never worry about repasting again.

    • YeemaiI on 15/07/2024 - 12:05

      Do you have any personal experience with the Kryosheets? PTM7950 also seems to be a popular alternative

      • TSH on 15/07/2024 - 12:23
        +2

        kryosheet on a ryzen 5700 and 6900xt. temps stable and within margin of error of a expensive paste. solid recommend from me.

  • jk82 on 15/07/2024 - 15:05
    +1

    I've repasted my ASUS TUF 4080 twice now. After owning the card for 11 months I was seeing a delta of 30c+ at max load (310-320w hitting around 75c GPU temp and 108c hotspot). Because the hotspot got so high the fans went to 100% (really loud) hence why I noticed it and looked into it.

    The first repaste I used some thermal grissly kryonaut and it fixed the problem (delta back to ~10c at regular gameplay and 15c at sustained max load), but after about 4 or 5 months I saw it creeping back up to that 30c+ delta. Turns out it's the "pump out effect" of paste. And sure enough when I opened it back up, all the paste has seeped out and was sitting on the PCB around the edge of the die.

    I looked into the kryosheets but was a bit nervous about the electrical conductivity of them and how hard it would be getting the heatsink back on with such an accurate cut out, being that it's direct on the die you need 100% surface coverage and obvs it can't touch any metal parts of the PCB or you risk frying the board. So I went with the PTM7950 - I just got a sheet off Ali Express and so far it's working a charm. It's been about 5 months since I changed it, and my delta still sits around 8c-10c on most games, if I OC my card and push it to 320w (sustained for 30mins+) it'll hit a delta of ~15c and the hotspot doesn't go above 90c

    I'm very happy with the PTM7950 and definitely recommend it. Yes, warranty blah blah. But I had fun researching and tinkering with all of this and I now absolutely love my GPU and how solid I know it is, I'm more confident pushing it harder (just for fun) and I also know a lot more about GPU's in the process.

    • YeemaiI on 15/07/2024 - 15:19

      Wow, that's very impressive. Appreciate the writeup, will definitely look at ordering a sheet soon.

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