Looking for cooling advice for 7900XT

[EdoXTensei]

https://modmymods.com/alphacool-eiswolf-2-aio-360mm-rx-7900xt-reference-with-backplate-14490.html

I was thinking about trying this AIO for my 7900XT Gigabyte (it is compatible with Gigabyte as well), but I've never have done anything like it, and I would loose warranty, as there is a sticker for warranty, and also it means some extra measurements for new thermal pads (at least I think that) and new paste (paste isn't something I couldn't do, as I've done some repaste in the past few times), overall I have good experience with assembling PCs, but this is territory I have never been before.

Does anyone can provide some extra information? Or may here are some people who bought it ( not necessarily for 7900XT), and have some experience?

Gigabyte isn't the best when it comes to cooling, as when it go over 300watts, then either fans go nuts at OC bios, or Hot Spot hits 91 occasionally on Quiet Bios (but the core stays at 59-62), and that's why I was wondering if that could help with temperature, and overall heat dissipation as it comes with 360 radiator.

I have big case, so it should fit, either on the bottom, or on the top hidden between fans and top cover (NZXT H9 Flow)


I would be great full for any suggestions, especially that the price doesn't seems to be terrible as for other custom loop parts (which I literally have non experience) but if it is worth it at all ?

 

[EdoXTensei]

I don't know AMD cards very well, so maybe someone else can chip in, but a 30 degree delta between hotspot and core seems a little high. Have you tried repasting the card just with the air cooler to see if it makes a difference? Might be a good starting point before you go to a wc mod if temps are your only concern.

I wouldn't try that, because it has a warranty sticker on one of the screws, so I will loose warranty if I repaste it. But in fact the difference seems high. I can't RMA it, because they will say that this is normal, or at least nothing to be worried about. But anything other if will broke, then I could take advantage of Warranty, but knowing it's Gigabyte I am not entirely sure if this warranty even exists

 

[EdoXTensei]

i would say 30degree difference on the hotspot is normal as memory chips get super toasty.. Whilst mine is not AMD, i have had AMD cards in the past and was considered normal, where my gpu temp would be in the low 40's and hotspot reaching 60/70's even with repasting and gelid thermal pads.

How long have you had the card for? If RMA is out the question, and you are close to end of warranty, i'd just remove the card. I doubt there would be much difference in what you can sell it for when it comes to that time

I bought it like a month ago on Amazon, and the return window just closed, so I left with Gigabyte's warranty.

 

[EdoXTensei]

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If it's normal for AMD chips though, as im4gin3 says, then it may not be worth it. 91 is certainly hot, and well into downclocking/boost limiting territory, but if you're happy with the performance and noise on the quiet bios, then you could just keep it. There's nothing wrong with that temp and you've got at least ~10 degrees to the tjmax.

The thing is, that this temp isn't consistent. As it is only hit the 91, when my fans on GPU, which is set to Quiet Bios, and never hits over 1600rpm, but while there are some less intense moments in game (especially if it is demanding one, like Hellblade 2 for example at highest settings, with 4K Dynamic Res), then at those moment fans dropping to 1k-1.2k rpm, but when there is suddenly happening something more demanding, then before fans hits more rpm, temps can go up to 91C but after a few seconds dropping to 80s again.

But even at that temp, there is no throttling, as it is not staying at this temp for loner period, and also I have downclocked my GPU manually (from 2850 to 2750) and -50mV undervolt, so it's not actually hitting this temp, because GPU trying to sustain fans rpm at certain lvl to not dropping too low.

Btw 110 is max temperature when AMD can works without throttling, but best recommended temps (to avoid quicker degradation) is to keep below 90 (80-85C)


Like I've said, it's not like it's staying at 91 all of the time, because when I playing games, I playing mostly at 4K 60hz TV, so it's not like GPU is fully utilized all of the time.

But that's why I was thinking about this AiO cooling, even if that would means voiding warranty, but only if it really worth it.

 

[EdoXTensei]

Been a while since i had an AMD, but are the memory chips on the back? Can you not remove the back plate only without removing the main cooler on the front, to replace the pads?

Never heard about mems on the back tbh, most gpus have mems next to the GPU die, and the thing is, that the sticker is on one of the 4 screws what holding cooler on the die, so no possibilities to get inside without breaking the stickers.

I forgot mention that also my third fan is from time to time making weird resonating noise, but when I squeeze it a bit then noise is gone for a while. So with AiO if it will be good enough, I can get rid of cooler and fans.

I really don't wanna RMA it, because it will took ages if I will send my GPU to them, and wait till it'll arrive to them.. at the end I will end up with my current GPU back to me after a month or so knowing the gigabyte, but if it wasn't cost me 679£ I wouldn't ever buy gigabyte tbh

 

[EdoXTensei]

if it were me, regardless how new it is, i'd just rip the sticker and cooler off. If the GPU has been working fine - no artifacts/throttling etc at stock, you have had it longer than a month and you are happy with the performance, there's an unlikely chance you will return it or send it in for repairs.

I've not had the pleasure of Gigabyte RMA but i know of other brands who are not so good in their process, so what have you got to lose... and when you come to upgrade the card, as long as you are careful to put the original cooler back on (if you don't sell together), there would be no need to discount it just of said sticker.

There's always going to be a risk no matter which direction you take.. either leave as is and ignore the junction temp, or to take matters in your own hands

Alright it's done. I just disassembled my GPU and repaste it with SYY157, as from MX5 and not enough a MX6, SYY seems way better on paper. But I decided to repaste after I've seen nearly 100C after Stock settings.. and fans like crazy over 1900rpm.

Okey I know that few days in my country are pretty hot, I have 26C in my room, which is more like a reason why temps are higher, but it shouldn't be that much, when before it was 22-23C.

Strangely my Core tems seems few C higher (like 1-2 more, it may be just my misreading), but after repasting, the difference between Core and Hot spot, isn't like before almost 35-38, only 15-25~ish.

I have to give it few days tho, as once when I used SYY for GPU (5700XT back in days) it was Okey for first game, then after I reopened after closing and letting GPU cool down, it was nearly overheating and overspinning as the paste just came out from the die.

If it will be the same case "hopefully not", MX5 is alright for GPUs tho ?

 

[EdoXTensei]

Hang on. Are you repasting both the die and memory chips, or just the die?

If you are more concerned about junction temps, then you would simply use better thermal pads (such as Gelid -TG sucks in comparison imo). I’ve not seen anyone try paste on a chip before unless you are pasting and apply thermal pads but even then that’s quite rare.

The only reason to repaste the dye is ‘you might as well since you are dismantling the card, and usually repasting is better than manufacturers stock).

I could be wrong about this, but there will always be a large difference in delta T between the die and hotspot. Unless you are running an active backplate or similar… but even then the difference will not be as big as you imagined

Mx5 is fine for GPU.

Junction Temp (mem chips) are great like max 82C but 75-78Avg (105 is max)..I had issue with Hot spot, which is different from Junction.

I know there is difference between die and hot spot, but it's never should be more than 30.

Like I've said, the thermal pads are still wet, as the GPU is fairly new, but when I opened and seen the bearly clean die and lots of paste around the die, it convinced me to repaste now all new GPUs in the future, because manufacturers are totally incompetent with pasting..