Over the past 2 months, I've noticed my GPU temps (7950 OC, reference cooler) gradually rising regardless of static room temps, fan additions or compressed air dusting.
I was tempted to RMA, but after a nightmare return process years ago with a x1950xtx, I didn't feel like waiting / dealing with a temporary replacement (card was dirt cheap when I bought it, so I risked it knowing my past experience with Sapphire).
Bit the bullet and opened her up. Sure enough I saw the culprit right away: A nasty, dried out, poorly applied mountain of thermal paste.
As you can see: there is more compound along the sides and valleys than on the actual GPU
After a cleaning and reapplication using some MX-4, my temps dropped 10C at load.
My question is this: Is paste like this normal for certain manufacturers?
Sapphire prices in my area are often too tempting to pass up. If I know procedures like this are standard, I may just have to avoid them from now on.
I was tempted to RMA, but after a nightmare return process years ago with a x1950xtx, I didn't feel like waiting / dealing with a temporary replacement (card was dirt cheap when I bought it, so I risked it knowing my past experience with Sapphire).
Bit the bullet and opened her up. Sure enough I saw the culprit right away: A nasty, dried out, poorly applied mountain of thermal paste.
As you can see: there is more compound along the sides and valleys than on the actual GPU
After a cleaning and reapplication using some MX-4, my temps dropped 10C at load.
My question is this: Is paste like this normal for certain manufacturers?
Sapphire prices in my area are often too tempting to pass up. If I know procedures like this are standard, I may just have to avoid them from now on.
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