MSI thermal paste going off ?

[ToOo]

I've had my MSI Gaming X 1080 since launch and have generally been very pleased with the card over the last year but i'd noticed recently that my temperatures were much higher than I was expecting or had seen in the past.

This was particularly noticable in Unreal Engine 4 games where i was peaking at over 85C with fans roaring away, that was a bit toastier than i was really confortable with. Reading back on all the reviews of the card i noticed that the thermal performance was consistently praised and data points were generally in the 55 - 65C range. A quick TIM replacement later and i'm back down to ~60C in and seeing higher clocks to boot.

So far so normal but my reason for even creating this thread is that the MSI standard TIM had dried out pretty badly and it looked like there were air pockets in the dried TIM at the side of the GPU. Feel like an idiot for not taking a photo of this.

It's an anecdotal one off incident but I've never needed to replace the TIM on a GPU before so thought I should share with the community incase others are seeing a similar issue.

Edit: Please note this voids the warranty, confirmed by Gibbo and MSI so the correct answer is to RMA the card.

 

[Finners]

Hmmm I too have noticed my msi 1070 temps seem 5 degrees or so higher than when new and I've given everything a good clean.

Glad you fixed your issue but I'd be reluctant to replace the TIM ATM as mine is still in warranty and it will void it.

 

[subbytna]

Hmmm I too have noticed my msi 1070 temps seem 5 degrees or so higher than when new and I've given everything a good clean.

Glad you fixed your issue but I'd be reluctant to replace the TIM ATM as mine is still in warranty and it will void it.

What MSI card do you have? I've got the Armour 1070. When I do my rebuild I might replace the TIM too.

 

[Finners]

What MSI card do you have? I've got the Armour 1070. When I do my rebuild I might replace the TIM too.

Same as you, armor 1070. Replacing the TIM you might see an improvement. I saw a nearly 10 degree decrease on a second hand 980 I had briefly recently but ATM I don't think its worth voiding my warranty on the 1070.

With the cool weather we are having, I've not seen it go over 70 degrees

 

[ToOo]

While i'm not afarid to void a warranty, in this case there is a pretty clear and public statement from an MSI rep on their own forum stating that replacing thermal paste does not void the warranty.

https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=271449.0

Edit: Although this post is on the MSI forum it is not their official position

 

[Marine-RX179]

While i'm not afarid to void a warranty, in this case there is a pretty clear and public statement from an MSI rep on their own forum stating that replacing thermal paste does not void the warranty.

https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=271449.0

Yea I also recall reading that as long as nothing's damaged physically, the removal of the cooler itself does not void the warranty.

I don't really recall cases where graphic card manufacturer try to weasel out of warranty (refusing to repair/replace after warranty expired don't count...just because sometimes they willing to do it out of good will, it doesn't mean they must do it); unlike Apple always trying to weasel out of their responsibility to fix iphones/MacBook for owners, and always baselessly blame it on "user induced 'water damage'" lol

 

[Finners]

While i'm not afarid to void a warranty, in this case there is a pretty clear and public statement from an MSI rep on their own forum stating that replacing thermal paste does not void the warranty.

https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=271449.0

Thanks for that, remember reading a more recent post on this forum contradicting that but will save that if they ever refuse an rma.

I'll need to check but I think older MSI cards didn't have the "void if removed sticker" over a screw until the 10** series

Edit*

From gibbo himself, they do not allow it

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/posts/30627321/

 

[ToOo]

I've found another post on the MSI forum dated July 2017 but I'll raise a ticket with them myself and report back.


Edit: official reply from MSI is that they do not allow it.

 

[Marine-RX179]

Thanks for that, remember reading a more recent post on this forum contradicting that but will save that if they ever refuse an rma.

I'll need to check but I think older MSI cards didn't have the "void if removed sticker" over a screw until the 10** series

Edit*

From gibbo himself, they do not allow it

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/posts/30627321/

If the card itself has such as sticker, then obviously the sensible thing is not to do it.

I guess MSI might have changed their approach and placed the sticker there to discouraging people (that don't know what they are doing) from tempering with the card. it's probably best not to try your luck, unless you can find a quote straight from the horse's month saying otherwise.

 

[mistersprinkles]

I changed the TIM on my GTX 580 years ago and I saw temps drop by 15 or so degrees. It was crazy. The TIM they use on GPUs is gutter grade for sure. My 1080 is still doing good but I don't doubt that I'll have to re-tim it someday.

What's the deal with thermal pads, though, such as on VRMs and memory? Do those not need to be replaced when you re-tim the GPU?

 

[subbytna]

While i'm not afarid to void a warranty, in this case there is a pretty clear and public statement from an MSI rep on their own forum stating that replacing thermal paste does not void the warranty.

https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=271449.0

Very useful bookmark, thanks squire

 

[subbytna]

Thanks for that, remember reading a more recent post on this forum contradicting that but will save that if they ever refuse an rma.

I'll need to check but I think older MSI cards didn't have the "void if removed sticker" over a screw until the 10** series

Edit*

From gibbo himself, they do not allow it

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/posts/30627321/

dam, thanks