3090 FE standard cooler corrosion?

[ukbilleh]

Had a mate over to replace the thermal pads and repast his 3090 FE as he said it was running really hot.

Got to the heat plate of the cooler and found this. Copper showing through the plating and after re-pasting / re-padding it’s still running hot. No change.

Used mx5 + thermalright odyssey pads. Run them on many 3090s I’ve worked on and never a problem but I’ve never seen a heat plate that looks like this.

Card has never been run with liquid metal etc.

Just interested in any thoughts on how this happens.

 

[ukbilleh]

This isn’t a warranty question btw. He’ll just be buying a new card or replacement cooler. Just interested in opinions or experiences anyone has had like this in the past. I am just totally flummoxed on how this can happen.

 

[Purgatory]

This isn’t a warranty question btw. He’ll just be buying a new card or replacement cooler. Just interested in opinions or experiences anyone has had like this in the past. I am just totally flummoxed on how this can happen.

Did he buy it new or used ?

 

[ukbilleh]

Did he buy it new or used ?

New

 

[newuser]

Looks like grain structure. Etching something like that generally takes immersion in a suitable chemical, sometimes with heat or a current for added effect.

 

[varkanoid]

Almost looks like someone forgot to take off the plastic cover on the cooler before putting it on the GPU and its got all burnt etc.

 

[stooeh]

I cannot really tell what I'm looking at there, is the nickel plating flaking or something? Could try sanding it down to the copper.