EVGA Pascal cards hotspot problem

[Mangelwurzel]

Is there a proper video on installing using EVGA pads? I dislike paper guides?

JayzTwoCents video still relevant for these new pads EVGA sent out to users?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URyG1OP8p8I

He makes the mistake of putting the large pad straight on top of the backplate's rubber standoffs, which leaves the bulge he mentions. Not good!

The video also doesn't cover taking off the baseplate to add the VRAM pads, but I think EVGA weren't sending out VRAM pads when the video was made.

I followed the EVGA guide, which just missed a screw for the baseplate and could have been a little clearer, but no biggy. Getting the card out of the PC is more hassle than doing the mod.

 

[clone]

Same for me I'm still waiting but like ive said my cards running cool as ive got 2 140 fans at the front of my case.

 

[mikeo]

Decided that I could not be bothered to wait for the Grizzly TIM from OCuk. So went ahead and did the mod using the supplied TIM from EVGA.

As others have commented, pretty straight forward to do, just take your time and be careful.

For the 1070 FTW, there is as someone else has already commented. One more screw holding the backplate on than is mentioned in the instructions. Pretty obviously that you need to remove it, as the backplate wont come off.

The extra three screws that I mention above (for the 1070 FTW) do in fact hold the mid-plate on. So once I had put the new pads on the VRAM modules. I put these back in to hold the mid-plate securely (IE. prior to re-fitting the cooler).

The thing that I did find SHOCKING... Is that there appeared to be ZERO contact between the thermal pads on the VRAM modules next to the VRM circuitry and the mid-plate. None what so ever!!!! This alone highlights why EVERYONE needs to do this mod. The supplied pads for the VRAM appear to be slightly thicker than what was fitted. After fitting the new VRAM pads and securing the mid-plate (with the 3 screws mentioned above). I then removed said plate and checked that all the new pads were making contact. Which they are now.

The supplied TIM appears fine. Used the "spread" method. GPU temps look just fine (same as they did before actually). 25C idle (passive cooling at this point) and low 60's running Heaven benchmark with the new default fan curve. This reduces to high 50's when running my customer and slightly more aggressive fan curve. So pretty much the same as previously. Though I obviously can't measure the temps of either the VRAM modules, or the VRM circuitry. But I'm sure they are fine now.

Putting aside the issue of the "potential" heat issue with the VRM circuitry on these cards (now hopefully sorted with this thermal pad mod and the new fan curve). What I'm not happy with, is the issue regarding what are quite obviously undersized thermal pads that have been fitted to the VRAM modules. This is quite obviously a manufacturing defect It would just be nice if EVGA would come clean, throw their hands up and admit this.

So... at last I'm hopefully sorted now.

 

[triss]

Decided that I could not be bothered to wait for the Grizzly TIM from OCuk. So went ahead and did the mod using the supplied TIM from EVGA.

As others have commented, pretty straight forward to do, just take your time and be careful.

For the 1070 FTW, there is as someone else has already commented. One more screw holding the backplate on than is mentioned in the instructions. Pretty obviously that you need to remove it, as the backplate wont come off.

The extra three screws that I mention above (for the 1070 FTW) do in fact hold the mid-plate on. So once I had put the new pads on the VRAM modules. I put these back in to hold the mid-plate securely (IE. prior to re-fitting the cooler).

The thing that I did find SHOCKING... Is that there appeared to be ZERO contact between the thermal pads on the VRAM modules next to the VRM circuitry and the mid-plate. None what so ever!!!! This alone highlights why EVERYONE needs to do this mod. The supplied pads for the VRAM appear to be slightly thicker than what was fitted. After fitting the new VRAM pads and securing the mid-plate (with the 3 screws mentioned above). I then removed said plate and checked that all the new pads were making contact. Which they are now.

The supplied TIM appears fine. Used the "spread" method. GPU temps look just fine (same as they did before actually). 25C idle (passive cooling at this point) and low 60's running Heaven benchmark with the new default fan curve. This reduces to high 50's when running my customer and slightly more aggressive fan curve. So pretty much the same as previously. Though I obviously can't measure the temps of either the VRAM modules, or the VRM circuitry. But I'm sure they are fine now.

Putting aside the issue of the "potential" heat issue with the VRM circuitry on these cards (now hopefully sorted with this thermal pad mod and the new fan curve). What I'm not happy with, is the issue regarding what are quite obviously undersized thermal pads that have been fitted to the VRAM modules. This is quite obviously a manufacturing defect It would just be nice if EVGA would come clean, throw their hands up and admit this.

So... at last I'm hopefully sorted now.

I also agree its a defect as soon as there were a few shots of the VRAM pads not touching and EVGA changed the pad mod to include them IMO it should have been changed from optional to required

 

[Disco_P]

The thing that I did find SHOCKING... Is that there appeared to be ZERO contact between the thermal pads on the VRAM modules next to the VRM circuitry and the mid-plate. None what so ever!!!! This alone highlights why EVERYONE needs to do this mod. The supplied pads for the VRAM appear to be slightly thicker than what was fitted. After fitting the new VRAM pads and securing the mid-plate (with the 3 screws mentioned above). I then removed said plate and checked that all the new pads were making contact. Which they are now.

Putting aside the issue of the "potential" heat issue with the VRM circuitry on these cards (now hopefully sorted with this thermal pad mod and the new fan curve). What I'm not happy with, is the issue regarding what are quite obviously undersized thermal pads that have been fitted to the VRAM modules. This is quite obviously a manufacturing defect It would just be nice if EVGA would come clean, throw their hands up and admit this.

So... at last I'm hopefully sorted now.

I also agree its a defect as soon as there were a few shots of the VRAM pads not touching and EVGA changed the pad mod to include them IMO it should have been changed from optional to required

It's a complete non issue; VRAM doesn't need cooling. Never has. Not sure why everyone gets so farty about it when the modules barely produce any heat nor get even slightly warm. For example the VRAM on the back on Titans are had no cooling and are often sandwiched together it multi SLI configs.

Even in the original thermal images you can see that they only get hot cause of the heat of the VRMs. The chips on the other side of the GPU are the same temp as the surround PCB.

 

[southernorth]

What is the situation for 1060's, such as EVGA GTX 1060 SC?

Thanks

 

[Dicehunter]

Still waiting on my pads.

 

[mikeo]

It's a complete non issue; VRAM doesn't need cooling. Never has. Not sure why everyone gets so farty about it when the modules barely produce any heat nor get even slightly warm. For example the VRAM on the back on Titans are had no cooling and are often sandwiched together it multi SLI configs.

Even in the original thermal images you can see that they only get hot cause of the heat of the VRMs. The chips on the other side of the GPU are the same temp as the surround PCB.

Then why do EVGA even fit thermal pads to the vram modules then? And if it's a non issue, why are they sending out replacement pads?

Maybe it is a non issue, I'm no electronics expert
Only my opinion mate. Not looking for a flame (sic) war

 

[triss]

It's a complete non issue; VRAM doesn't need cooling. Never has. Not sure why everyone gets so farty about it when the modules barely produce any heat nor get even slightly warm. For example the VRAM on the back on Titans are had no cooling and are often sandwiched together it multi SLI configs.

Spoiler

Even in the original thermal images you can see that they only get hot cause of the heat of the VRMs. The chips on the other side of the GPU are the same temp as the surround PCB.

So if they dont need any form of cooling why did EVGA fit pads at all let alone send out replacment ones to rectify it?

Not wanting to really get in a argument but I'd take EVGA's side that they need cooling when placed where they have them since they are the makers of AIB's

 

[Disco_P]

Then why do EVGA even fit thermal pads to the vram modules then? And if it's a non issue, why are they sending out replacement pads?

Maybe it is a non issue, I'm no electronics expert
Only my opinion mate. Not looking for a flame (sic) war

So if they dont need any form of cooling why did EVGA fit pads at all let alone send out replacment ones to rectify it?

Not wanting to really get in a argument but I'd take EVGA's side that they need cooling when placed where they have them since they are the makers of AIB's

I honestly don't know why they continue to put pads on them, probably cause it costs so little and looks better to a consumer than not including them when anyone does. According to micron, GDDR5X consumes about 2-2.5W per chip and GDDR5 isn't that more more if you do some napkin math.

I wouldn't take EVGA's side when it comes to cooling at this time

 

[Dervious]

According to micron, GDDR5X consumes about 2-2.5W per chip and GDDR5 isn't that more more if you do some napkin math.

Without any heatsink, those chips will get hot if they are consuming ~2.5W.

 

[Nelly]

It's a complete non issue; VRAM doesn't need cooling. Never has. Not sure why everyone gets so farty about it when the modules barely produce any heat nor get even slightly warm. For example the VRAM on the back on Titans are had no cooling and are often sandwiched together it multi SLI configs.

Spoiler

Even in the original thermal images you can see that they only get hot cause of the heat of the VRMs. The chips on the other side of the GPU are the same temp as the surround PCB.

Spoiler

Micron vram only allows tolerance up to ~95°C within it's spec, I'm not sure about Samsung vram specs.

This will obviously be a non-issue once people install the thermal pads and/or use the EVGA (vacuum cleaner) BIOS they issued, which adjusts the fan speed curve to improve VRM cooling.

However, power phase circuits (open spoiler below) use the part NTMFD4C85N on the reference cards to regulate the Vcore, these only handle ~85°C (maximum air cooled temp), I'm guessing the EVGA ACX 3.0 cards use the same?

Spoiler

The morale of the story is, after all that hassle and farting about waiting for thermal pads to turn up and ghetto louder RPM BIOS, ALL the other manufacturer Pascal graphics cards still run cooler and quieter lol.

 

[mikeo]

Interesting comments folks. Thanks for the info. Always nice to see some real facts.

Though I would take issue with one comment that keeps appearing. And that's about the new fan curve that EVGA issued. I only have personal experience with the 1070 FTW. But the new fan curve is not that more aggressive than the old one (I posted the differences earlier in this thread). My own custom fan curve is far more aggressive and that's still inaudible during normal gaming. Unless you play games with your head stuck in your PC case. Not until the fans go over 60% do they become noticeable over my case fans. At gaming temps, fans are running between 40-50% and I'll be damned if I can hear them at this level.

Let's just hope we can all soon move on ... As they say

 

[Akmeeda]

So I RMA'd my 1070 FTW card and they've just sent me a brand new sealed 1070. I assume it has the thermal pads installed already and the updated BIOS. However, I have not opened it yet and am considering selling the card. Just been put off by the whole thing really :/.

 

[wrenaudrey]

So I RMA'd my 1070 FTW card and they've just sent me a brand new sealed 1070. I assume it has the thermal pads installed already and the updated BIOS. However, I have not opened it yet and am considering selling the card. Just been put off by the whole thing really :/.

You can check for the manufacture date, i believe you can enter the S/N number to "Guest RMA" on their website and it shows you the manufacture date. If its after 1st November IIRC then it should have everything.

 

[Drollic]

Interesting comments folks. Thanks for the info. Always nice to see some real facts.

Though I would take issue with one comment that keeps appearing. And that's about the new fan curve that EVGA issued. I only have personal experience with the 1070 FTW. But the new fan curve is not that more aggressive than the old one (I posted the differences earlier in this thread). My own custom fan curve is far more aggressive and that's still inaudible during normal gaming. Unless you play games with your head stuck in your PC case. Not until the fans go over 60% do they become noticeable over my case fans. At gaming temps, fans are running between 40-50% and I'll be damned if I can hear them at this level.

Let's just hope we can all soon move on ... As they say

Agreed, it's still fairly tame. I was quite surprised they weren't more aggressive with it.

 

[Akmeeda]

You can check for the manufacture date, i believe you can enter the S/N number to "Guest RMA" on their website and it shows you the manufacture date. If its after 1st November IIRC then it should have everything.

Just tried to and it says "You are not allowed to enter Guest RMA because your region is outside of US/CA/LATAM... exit"

 

[mikeo]

So I RMA'd my 1070 FTW card and they've just sent me a brand new sealed 1070. I assume it has the thermal pads installed already and the updated BIOS. However, I have not opened it yet and am considering selling the card. Just been put off by the whole thing really :/.

If it was me, I'd keep it. As long as all the mods have been done ... You should be ok. If only because you will take a major hit selling it on. Only you can really decide this. Good luck.

If you decide to keep it. Then it's easy enough to check if the pads have been fitted. As you should quite easily be able to see the pad fitted to the back of the PCB. Right by looking at the card "edge on" or by looking at the back of the card (it should be visible through the air vent in the back of the card) . The BIOS version can obviously be checked via GPU-z. Though I suspect you already know all this.

Even if you buy another make/model, there's no guarantee that you won't have any issues (eg. Coil whine, won't OC etc.).

Good luck what ever you decide.

 

[Akmeeda]

If it was me, I'd keep it. As long as all the mods have been done ... You should be ok. If only because you will take a major hit selling it on. Only you can really decide this. Good luck.

If you decide to keep it. Then it's easy enough to check if the pads have been fitted. As you should quite easily be able to see the pad fitted to the back of the PCB. Right by looking at the card "edge on" or by looking at the back of the card (it should be visible through the air vent in the back of the card) . The BIOS version can obviously be checked via GPU-z. Though I suspect you already know all this.

Even if you buy another make/model, there's no guarantee that you won't have any issues (eg. Coil whine, won't OC etc.).

Good luck what ever you decide.

I think I'll continue using the old one over the weekend and think about what I want to do during this time. Thanks for your input .

 

[Disco_P]

Just tried to and it says "You are not allowed to enter Guest RMA because your region is outside of US/CA/LATAM... exit"

Try eu.evga.com

Completely identical website except for the eu bit but nothing works on the US site if you live in Europe. And often the eu website links to the US site and you can't go back.