Is it really worth it replacing the thermal paste on a new GPU ?

Kaapstad · 6 Jul 2013 at 16:38

I have read quite a few posts where people have done this. My point is even if they are successful and manage to drop the temps by 3 or 4 degrees does it achieve anything.

What I mean by this is if say a GTX 670 is reaching a maximum of 68c and the owner then replaces the thermal paste resulting in a new maximum of 65c, has anything been gained ?. The GTX 670 does not start losing performance until the temps hit 70c, the card does not use anymore electricity if it is cooled slightly less well, all that is happening is the card is running slightly warmer but still within tolerance.

What has made me think of this is one of the guys at work has just bought a brand new MSI GTX 670 and one of the first things he wants to do with it is replace the thermal paste for no other reason than it seems like a good idea.

kaku · 6 Jul 2013 at 16:57

You might gain something in terms of fan speed I guess?

I don't think it's that it makes a huge difference, people just like tinkering and getting the most from their hardware.

OLDPHART · 6 Jul 2013 at 17:10

Is it worth the hassle for 3-4 degree's, maybe running in sli, xfire up over it might be worth it. But 68' degree's that's fine compared to other's, just make sure case cooling is ok no worries.

Tonester0011 · 6 Jul 2013 at 17:15

Not worth it on new GPUs, but second hand i always replace the paste.

Jumper118 · 6 Jul 2013 at 18:31

you could say the same thing about water cooling though. whats the point in having you gpu running at 50c instead of 70c. i would onlt do it if the card was running at 85+c then its better the lower you can get it.

cainer · 6 Jul 2013 at 18:42

Jumper118 said:
you could say the same thing about water cooling though. whats the point in having you gpu running at 50c instead of 70c. i would onlt do it if the card was running at 85+c then its better the lower you can get it.

lower sound and higher OC headroom with watercooling

alex_123_fra · 6 Jul 2013 at 18:53

The stock paste job on my 780 was appalling. Repaste and waterblock later and temps now 32C max at load.

james_2k · 6 Jul 2013 at 18:58

alex_123_fra said:
The stock paste job on my 780 was appalling. Repaste and waterblock later and temps now 32C max at load.

Yeah, 'and water' being the operative words. The repaste probably didn't do much

OLDPHART · 6 Jul 2013 at 19:09

alex_123_fra said:
The stock paste job on my 780 was appalling. Repaste and waterblock later and temps now 32C max at load.

Yes you can't beat adding a bit water to cool things down in a PC[custom loop] and more quiet 2boot.

Jumper118 · 6 Jul 2013 at 19:23

cainer said:
lower sound and higher OC headroom with watercooling

by reducing temperature using thermal paste also makes more oc headroom and you can turn the fans down slower so that it's quieter.

james_2k · 6 Jul 2013 at 19:25

Incredibly marginally. If anything

Kaapstad · 6 Jul 2013 at 19:31

Jumper118 said:
by reducing temperature using thermal paste also makes more oc headroom and you can turn the fans down slower so that it's quieter.

It is not always that simple, on the 3dmark11 hall of fame my air cooled GTX 690s beat out all the water cooled quad sli GTX 690 setups for a very long time.

james_2k · 6 Jul 2013 at 19:37

yes, but in cards where you can actually change the volts. it will make a bigger difference.

Kaapstad · 6 Jul 2013 at 19:47

james_2k said:
yes, but in cards where you can actually change the volts. it will make a bigger difference.

+1

Like the Titans.

james_2k · 6 Jul 2013 at 19:50

boooo. you sold out man! hehe

690 posse is like a gang, you want out, you get beat out! but as you still have your 690s then that wont be necessary. yet

Kaapstad · 6 Jul 2013 at 19:54

james_2k said:
boooo. you sold out man! hehe

690 posse is like a gang, you want out, you get beat out! but as you still have your 690s then that wont be necessary. yet

I have no intention of getting rid of my GTX 690s.

I use the rig they are in most of the time and I am thinking about watercooling them as the air coolers on them have had a very hard life.

If I do watercool them, I will be looking to break 40k on the graphics score in 3dmark11.

james_2k · 6 Jul 2013 at 19:58

the temperature drop is huge though! went from 80 at times to 40! thats with a cpu in the loop and fans on off or low

and good man!

Tonester0011 · 6 Jul 2013 at 19:59

Kaapstad said:
I have no intention of getting rid of my GTX 690s.

I use the rig they are in most of the time and I am thinking about watercooling them as the air coolers on them have had a very hard life.

If I do watercool them, I will be looking to break 40k on the graphics score in 3dmark11.

Have you not used your chiller yet? You should make that rig use the chiller just make sure you put the chiller in a different room or very far away lol

Very loud when it kicks in.

Kaapstad · 6 Jul 2013 at 20:02

Tonester0011 said:
Have you not used your chiller yet? You should make that rig use the chiller just make sure you put the chiller in a different room or very far away lol Very loud when it kicks in.

No I have not used it yet but when I do it will just be for benching so the noise will not be a problem.

OLDPHART · 6 Jul 2013 at 20:03

Kaapstad said:
I have no intention of getting rid of my GTX 690s.

I use the rig they are in most of the time and I am thinking about watercooling them as the air coolers on them have had a very hard life.

If I do watercool them, I will be looking to break 40k on the graphics score in 3dmark11.

Go for it Kaapy, l'm surprised you have not all ready, not just cooler its the silence that gets you.