zurvv
Some pad updates.
Note, i used fuji ultra extreme - which doesn't compress much. So it isn't useful to compare the below info to other more squishy pads (like the ones that came with the card)
 
I replaced the putty and use a .5mm pad. It made contact. (i also put a layer of TIM too.)
For the ram i used a 2mm pad (1.5mm plus a .5mm - there wasn't a fuji  extreme 2mm option)
 
First, ram and the rest of the card pretty well cooled. I never saw the ram hit more than 70C. (with 30min load of timespy extreme with +750.) That is read from the ICX3 sensors. 
The problem is the GPU, it is hotter than it was before (and thus didn't OC was well.) I'm not sure which of the pads is causing the problem (my guess would be the ram)
 
*sigh* those fuji's cost a ton. I'll most likekly have to replace it was a 2mm pad that has more give. I have some TG pads around.
 
I also put TG pads on the back of the card on the ram. 2mm is right.
For other parts of the card i needed 2.5mm to make it to the PCB. (i put pads on the back side of the VRMs)
 
(for TIM on the GPU i used TG Kryonaut Extreme)
 
 
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UPDATED:
I replaced the fuji ultra extreme with TG pads (which compress better.)
My size suggestions for replacing pads with using TG
 
2mm for ram, .5mm for putty replacement, 2mm for ram on the back. 2.5mm for PCB to back.

For the putty replacement on the VRM I see you said you used .5mm TG? Reason I am questioning it is that above your post Jacob said that they use 2.85mm (putty) from the factory. That is a huge difference. Trying to get the right stuff here before I tear this 3090 apart. Thanks.

I haven't used them on a 30x0 card...yet... but Gelid ultimate and extreme work great (1080 ti), a bit cheaper than alphacool too.  They're not firm/crumbly like fuji as well.  On my 1080 ti kpe temps dropped almost 10 deg on certain parts.

osb40000
Any updates to this on using upgraded thermal pads on 3090s? Which thermal pads are you using? I have a 3090 FTW3 I'd like to keep the memory cooler. 

Assuming you haven't taken yours apart, I would highly advise tossing some well placed fins on your backplate first lest you spend a ton of time and money for mediocre results as I have  (details in my one and only post on this forum so far). I've had some comments suggesting the FTW3 cards now don't suffer from sinking issues, more so a heat dissipation issue, which fins on the backplate with a thin thermal tape will greatly help while being the easiest to undo!

I just got a replacement set of thermal pads from EVGA for my 3090 FTW3 ultra (actually they sent two sets on accident.) They're all black in color instead of the stock grey putty and I'm a little bit concerned about the quality. I just paid for cross-shipment of a hybrid kit because mine needed to be RMA'd, but unfortunately it was stolen off my porch or delivered to the wrong address or something. So I'm going to be stuck using these pads. There is no labelling at all, it's just a ziploc full of odd sized thermal pads. I bought a digital caliper so I guess I'm just going to do my best to measure them and figure out where they go. I'm getting really sick of taking this card apart. This will be the fourth time.
I definitely think I'm going to lay on the Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut a little thicker this time.

I'd try to help cause I've torn my card apart so many times but your picture won't show up yet for whatever reason. I had horrible fan issues too because of px1, where the fans would just spin up super hard and then back down over and over again. It's a common issue apparently after reading other threads. I had to plug all my aio fans into an extra fan header on my mobo and control them with Argus.
Honestly everything about this card (EVGAs card specifically) has been a let down and extremely expensive, time consuming, and frustrating. EVGA has always been the best, but I just can't vouch for them anymore.. not to mention the memory junction temp..

Edit: The backplate was 2mm actually, and the vrm was 3mm in my case to make the right contact.

Cool

Gonzhilla
I'd try to help cause I've torn my card apart so many times but your picture won't show up yet for whatever reason. I had horrible fan issues too because of px1, where the fans would just spin up super hard and then back down over and over again. It's a common issue apparently after reading other threads. I had to plug all my aio fans into an extra fan header on my mobo and control them with Argus.
Honestly everything about this card (EVGAs card specifically) has been a let down and extremely expensive, time consuming, and frustrating. EVGA has always been the best, but I just can't vouch for them anymore.. not to mention the memory junction temp..

Edit: The backplate was 2mm actually, and the vrm was 3mm in my case to make the right contact.

3mm on the VRAM (immediately flanks the processor), 2mm on the backplate, 1mm on the chokes (where Evga put the putty)?  I put thermal paste on the processor and it dropped decently, but see others are using pads for that
- Does this sound right? 

Doesn't this void your warranty if you remove the heatsink shroud from the GPU? I'm just asking because, if it doesn't, then I'd absolutely modify the cooling on it. If not, then I'd have to wait until after the warranty period is over to modify it.

do you guys have any thermal pad recommendations? 
 

moomeacow

evgasimpster
do you guys have any thermal pad recommendations? 
 

i use thermalright 3080 came with **** pads 110 thermal limit within seconds. now Im at around 85 temp @ 65 fan 

dang thats a huge difference 

Jsunn

8thSin
Thank you Gonzhilla! I'm on teardown #3 at this point and would like my card up and running eventually =D 
- I believe since I'm so new to the forum, I can't attach photos or links to the photos. 
 


3mm on the VRAM (immediately flanks the processor), 2mm on the backplate, 1mm on the chokes (where Evga put the putty)?  I put thermal paste on the processor and it dropped decently, but see others are using pads for that

 
Thank you for this!
-Jason

To be clear, this was a question and not guidance :D 

+1.  Tons of opinions but not clearly lined out.  I am going to try moomeacow's recommendations this weekend 

memory 1mm stacked to get 2mm (guessing this is the processor set?) 
Choke - Where the putty was I used 1.5mm tried 1mm and it didnt touch.
VRAM - on the black vrms i used 3mm.
back plate was 3mm.


this is for the 3080 assuming its similar to the 3090 since both ftw3 use the same cooler. 

I have a combination of 1mm, 2mm, and 3mm pads.coming... what goes where? And what to put in place of the putty?

Saw this on reddit. It's for the 3080 FTW3, but should apply to the 3090, I think.
https://www.reddit.com/r/...p&utm_source=share

I don't think you can buy 2.25mm and 2
75mm think thermal pads?