So I just completed the thermal mod on my 1070 SC Black Edition and I've noticed higher temperatures compared to my pre-thermal mod temps.
This is my first time disassembling a GPU and I noticed there was a lot of thermal paste used from the factory. I have worked with CPU's in the past and have never used that much and always had success. So when I reassembled my GPU, I cleaned all the old paste away and applied a "rice-sized" amount of new paste.
 
My idle temps have gone up - is this expected?
 
Idle: 32C -> 35C
Load (In Overwatch): 65C -> 64C
 
Load temp has dropped 1 degree, but could just be cause my ambient temp is a bit colder than normal.
 
I have re-done the thermal paste 3 times with the same results and now I'm running low on paste. Is my process incorrect? Should I apply more/less?

It's *almost* impossible to apply too much thermal paste on a GPU, but putting too little on is all too easy.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAid5G30-WM

spamhead123
So I just completed the thermal mod on my 1070 SC Black Edition and I've noticed higher temperatures compared to my pre-thermal mod temps.
This is my first time disassembling a GPU and I noticed there was a lot of thermal paste used from the factory. I have worked with CPU's in the past and have never used that much and always had success. So when I reassembled my GPU, I cleaned all the old paste away and applied a "rice-sized" amount of new paste.
 
My idle temps have gone up - is this expected?
 
Idle: 32C -> 35C
Load (In Overwatch): 65C -> 64C
 
Load temp has dropped 1 degree, but could just be cause my ambient temp is a bit colder than normal.
 
I have re-done the thermal paste 3 times with the same results and now I'm running low on paste. Is my process incorrect? Should I apply more/less?

With GPU's you need about a half a pea sized amount. Using too little is worse than using a bit too much.  You might wish to spread the TIM with a credit card instead of using the dab in the middle of the die approach.

Try a higher quality paste like MX-4.  Use a spot about the size of a BB or just a tad smaller.  Yes, you can use too much TIM on a GPU - but its not nearly as big of a deal on a GPU die as it is as using too much on a CPU (which can make a huge difference).
 
And if your temps are in the 60's(C) then there really is no problem anyway.  That's great for a graphics card under load.
 

Thanks for the info guys.
 
I think I'll give it one more go since I should have enough paste. I wasn't aware I needed a bit more on GPU. I'm not necessarily unhappy, but I was just expecting a larger improvement under load and was not expecting a higher temp at idle.
 
Does paste have a "curing" time? Should I see improvements after some heat cycles or something?

Some does yes.  That's why I use MX-4.  It's high quality and does not need to cure.

When I apply I have always put a nice amount and used some saran wrap around my finger to spread it out, that way if you think it is to
much just dab a bit more to remove . Easy to cover whole gpu or cpu with a thin layer. I've done this at least 200 times but I can
say I wasn't expecting to do my new 450 dollar G Card

xrav22
When I apply I have always put a nice amount and used some saran wrap around my finger to spread it out, that way if you think it is to
much just dab a bit more to remove . Easy to cover whole gpu or cpu with a thin layer. I've done this at least 200 times but I can
say I wasn't expecting to do my new 450 dollar G Card

The instant finger glove is always a faithful method for me.

Easy use, easy dispose, quite logical.

Well after another go putting roughly a half-pea size as suggested here, my load temps have gone from 65C -> 63C/64C fluctuating. So I'd say maybe a .5C gain from my previous paste-job and down 1-2C from where I initially started. I can't complain there since a gain is a gain, but my idle temps are still a couple degrees higher than where I started 32C -> 34C.

I have this feeling like I "downgraded" my card in a weird way and it leaves me unsatisfied. Should I even worry about it? Is it possible that the new thermal pads are to blame for the slight increase in idle temp or is this strictly a paste application thing?

spamhead123
Well after another go putting roughly a half-pea size as suggested here, my load temps have gone from 65C -> 63C/64C fluctuating. So I'd say maybe a .5C gain from my previous paste-job and down 1-2C from where I initially started. I can't complain there since a gain is a gain, but my idle temps are still a couple degrees higher than where I started 32C -> 34C.

I have this feeling like I "downgraded" my card in a weird way and it leaves me unsatisfied. Should I even worry about it? Is it possible that the new thermal pads are to blame for the slight increase in idle temp or is this strictly a paste application thing?

Try to play with your fan curves. Like 45 to 50% and see if your temps are going down on idle. my 980ti classy stays idle on 27/28C on 45% Fan Curve and ambient room temp of 22C Humid.