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Do you replace the TIM on brand new GFX card's?

kamz

kamz

kamz

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I have a gtx 680 inbound and just wondered do you guys replace the stock TIM on a newly purchased card?

As far back as I can remember I have always replaced the TIM, my reasoning being that the original cards always seem to overload the GPU tim, or miss some areas, so is it worth while anymore to replace it with AC5?

(EVGA card inbound they have no issues regarding cooler removal effecting warranty)

let us hear our opinions

Kamz
 
Not worth bothering. Graphics cards use much better TIM nowadays than the rubbery crap that used to be applied. Only replace the TIM if you are upgrading the cooler, otherwise leave it be.
 
i always used to change the tim on gpus but now i dont bother tbh

almost no difference so its not worth it imo

also theres a risk of breaking it or stripping screws while taking it apart it etc
 
It's pretty simple and quick to do, also when the card is new you should have less bother with those heat pads.

It has to be beneficial over the standard "gloop" that they plaster them with ;)
 
JAKUS said:
It's pretty simple and quick to do, also when the card is new you should have less bother with those heat pads.

It has to be beneficial over the standard "gloop" that they plaster them with ;)
Click to expand...

No, it isn't. That "gloop" is the same stuff Zalman supply with their coolers (V3000F for example).

It has been designed to be putty like. As it heats up it cures and hardens, basically acting as a filler between the GPU and the sink so it always makes direct contact. Due to it not being more liquid like it sets hard, so degradation is less possible.

That's why it looks all messy when you break it free and look at it. Doesn't mean there is anything wrong with it, though.

If there are no temp problems I would leave well alone as I said above. What is worrying about that paste is it sets, making it hard to get the card apart. You could cause irreparable damage if you were ham fisted, and then you'll have terrible trouble getting it RMA.
 
ALXAndy said:
No, it isn't. That "gloop" is the same stuff Zalman supply with their coolers (V3000F for example).

It has been designed to be putty like. As it heats up it cures and hardens, basically acting as a filler between the GPU and the sink so it always makes direct contact. Due to it not being more liquid like it sets hard, so degradation is less possible.

That's why it looks all messy when you break it free and look at it. Doesn't mean there is anything wrong with it, though.

If there are no temp problems I would leave well alone as I said above. What is worrying about that paste is it sets, making it hard to get the card apart. You could cause irreparable damage if you were ham fisted, and then you'll have terrible trouble getting it RMA.
Click to expand...

Anything between the cooler and die reduces thermal conductivity...end off

In the real world something connecting the die to a bad fitting heatsink has to be better than nothing.

I would be pretty sure someone asking this question is not your average Jo, knows how to apply TIM and wants the best possible cooling performance, so I doubt there is any risk of damage to the card.

For all other cases I totally agree with you ;)
 
Krony said:
Evga use Shin Etsu X23 which is better than AC5.
Click to expand...

hmmm will have to look that up, sadly when scrolling through the gtx 680 reviews most pictures showing the gpu core having already been cleaned, or they are possibly using pictures provided by Nvidia, so yeah no idea how they TIM up the new gpu's.

The last time i actually cleaned a stock GPU and replaced the TIM was back in the 8800gts days and i do remember is being a massive blob splattered over the gpu, didnt look every efficient to me.

However I do agree to Jakus I also prefer to get a new gpu, open it up, clean it up, apply thin layer of the best stuff i have and make sure i have a nice tight contact and thats it away we goooooooo

Kamz
 
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kamz said:
I have a gtx 680 inbound and just wondered do you guys replace the stock TIM on a newly purchased card?

As far back as I can remember I have always replaced the TIM, my reasoning being that the original cards always seem to overload the GPU tim, or miss some areas, so is it worth while anymore to replace it with AC5?

(EVGA card inbound they have no issues regarding cooler removal effecting warranty)

let us hear our opinions

Kamz
Click to expand...

invalidates your warranty straight away just read EVGA warranty terms and surprised they allow it. Companies (eg Zotac) can tell if the screws have been removed especially the painted ones. Only do it if a) not bothered about warranty and b) switching cooler from stock to custom.
 
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I don't bother these days unless the card is running warm, generally its adequately enough applied that it makes little to no odds.
 
JAKUS said:
Anything between the cooler and die reduces thermal conductivity...end off

In the real world something connecting the die to a bad fitting heatsink has to be better than nothing.

I would be pretty sure someone asking this question is not your average Jo, knows how to apply TIM and wants the best possible cooling performance, so I doubt there is any risk of damage to the card.

For all other cases I totally agree with you ;)
Click to expand...

So Nvidia and AMD don't know what they're doing?

But some one at home with a tube of TIM does? :D

I don't understand why some people feel the irresistible urge to mess with things they don't need to.

Sure, if you lapped both and used something better you could get the temps down. But, AMD and Nvidia have already made sure they are acceptable by putting in the homework.

Part of fixing Fermi was using that new paste that sets. That, a vapour chamber and more expensive low leakage transistors.
 
Mr Krugga said:
Not if it's a reference card, they don't.
Click to expand...

Ok then Nvidia use Shin Etsu X23 :P

varkanoid said:
invalidates your warranty straight away just read EVGA warranty terms and surprised they allow it. Companies (eg Zotac) can tell if the screws have been removed especially the painted ones. Only do it if a) not bothered about warranty and b) switching cooler from stock to custom.
Click to expand...

U can fit aftermarket coolers and waterblocks on Evga cards without invalidating the warranty :)
 
I used to, back in the day when fiddling with laptops and cheaper, older GPUs. But it's not really worth it because it invalidates the warranty.
 
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