Hello everybody,
 
I need your help with replacing stock thermal pads on my 3080 XC3 for ''aftermarket'' that will help decrease memory junction temperature.
As you already may know,GDDR6X memory is very,very hot and despite Nvidia claiming that high temperatures are normal,I'd still like to replace thermal pads.
I started mining Ethereum last month and I wanted to see how it will go,because I wanted to use GPU while I'm not gaming for extra profit.
It turned out it mines pretty good,so I stopped playing games and I continued to mine constantly.
I had good temperatures around 86c average,and highest were 92c.We're talking about memory junction temperature of course,not the GPU temperature itself.
Today,I checked my PC and current temperature was 110c with 112c being max.
I was pretty shocked and worried,so I turned off my PC to get a little break.
Today ambient temperature was somewhat higher than previous days,so that definitely caused the temp increase.
 
I have one huge request if I may ask...
I have one store in my country that has good selection of thermal pads,so I wanted to ask you if you could please tell me what size and thickness of pads should I order for my model?
I would like best results of course and I heard that it's possible to replace pads on both memory and backplate,but they require different pad size.
I would like to install pads on both places to get lowest temperature possible.
 
Since I obviously don't know anything about pads,I would kindly like to ask you if you could recommend fitting pads for my model on this store (don't mind Croatian language,just concentrate on dimensions):
 
EDIT:I still don't have enough posts,so I can't post links,sorry.
Please look at the 3 pictures I uploaded to see what's on that store.
 
 
 
 
And most important question,I heard that manufacturers don't approve doing these kind of mods for GPUs,except for EVGA and ASUS (only TUF models tho).
Will I void warranty if I do this mod with my model?
And if one day my GPU gets malfunctioned,will I have problems if I send it to repair service in my local shop (I didn't ordered it directly from EVGA)?
 
Thank you very much for taking time to read this.
 

Mr_Marcus
Got the 3080 xc3 ultra here and replaced the thermal pads recently. What you need is 1mm, 2mm and 3mm.

2mm for the mem chips around the GPU. 1mm goes to where the puty paste was on. The 3mm is a small strip which you will put on the small blocks next to where the puty was.

So where do you get those pad sizes? AliExpress! Look for the brand Thermalright. They will likely ship to Croatia.

Hello Marcus,
 
Thank you for your advice.
Unfortunately,I had very bad experience with AliExpress and similar sites,because they sell low quality products and shipping to Croatia took about 1,5 month and that was even before Covid-19 situation.
I prefer to buy things like this one in Croatia,because I can them in few days,and I always have fast and quality costumer support which can be phoned directly.
You said that I need 1mm,2mm and 3mm,but I would like you to tell me how many of those pads should I order?
Please,look at the pictures I posted for recommendation if it's not a problem.
 
 

Mr_Marcus
You can buy China made thermal pads for a cheap price. Then you get what you paid for.. If you buy the Thermalright version then they deliver that. It's very simple.



They come with the size of 85mm X 45mm. I used 1/4 of the 3mm and 1/2 of the 1mm. The 2mm pads are fully used. I just had a small piece left.

Btw I only did the pads on the inside not on top of the backplate! I got the temps down to 86-88degrees which was fine for me.

Like I said,I prefer to avoid buying from China,since shipping is very,very slow even without Covid-19 crisis.
I don't want to wait for 2 months to buy pads,I was hoping that I'll buy them in next 2 days in Croatia and get them delivered by the Thursday.
What were your temperatures before you installed pads?
I plan to put pads on all parts of the GPU including memory,backplate and such to get lowest temperatures possible.
Will I void warranty if I install thermal pads or will I be able to send GPU for repair if something happens and have it repaired for free (warranty)?
 
Again,if it's not problem,I would like recommendation for pads for my GPU model from that 3 pictures I upload.
I want to put them on memory and backplate so if you or someone knows what pads from those 3 pictures should I take for both memory and backplate,please tell me.
 

Chris Redfield
Hello everybody,
 
I need your help with replacing stock thermal pads on my 3080 XC3 for ''aftermarket'' that will help decrease memory junction temperature.
As you already may know,GDDR6X memory is very,very hot and despite Nvidia claiming that high temperatures are normal,I'd still like to replace thermal pads.
I started mining Ethereum last month and I wanted to see how it will go,because I wanted to use GPU while I'm not gaming for extra profit.
It turned out it mines pretty good,so I stopped playing games and I continued to mine constantly.
I had good temperatures around 86c average,and highest were 92c.We're talking about memory junction temperature of course,not the GPU temperature itself.
Today,I checked my PC and current temperature was 110c with 112c being max.
I was pretty shocked and worried,so I turned off my PC to get a little break.
Today ambient temperature was somewhat higher than previous days,so that definitely caused the temp increase.
 
I have one huge request if I may ask...
I have one store in my country that has good selection of thermal pads,so I wanted to ask you if you could please tell me what size and thickness of pads should I order for my model?
I would like best results of course and I heard that it's possible to replace pads on both memory and backplate,but they require different pad size.
I would like to install pads on both places to get lowest temperature possible.
 
Since I obviously don't know anything about pads,I would kindly like to ask you if you could recommend fitting pads for my model on this store (don't mind Croatian language,just concentrate on dimensions):
 
EDIT:I still don't have enough posts,so I can't post links,sorry.
Please look at the 3 pictures I uploaded to see what's on that store.
 
And most important question,I heard that manufacturers don't approve doing these kind of mods for GPUs,except for EVGA and ASUS (only TUF models tho).
Will I void warranty if I do this mod with my model?
And if one day my GPU gets malfunctioned,will I have problems if I send it to repair service in my local shop (I didn't ordered it directly from EVGA)?
 
Thank you very much for taking time to read this.

 
 Arctic pads work but are the cheapest of the cheap.  But do NOT buy the red ones.  They are not suitable for any hot chips, period.  Buy the blue ones (6 w/mk).

Chris Redfield
Hello everybody,
 
I need your help with replacing stock thermal pads on my 3080 XC3 for ''aftermarket'' that will help decrease memory junction temperature.
As you already may know,GDDR6X memory is very,very hot and despite Nvidia claiming that high temperatures are normal,I'd still like to replace thermal pads.
I started mining Ethereum last month and I wanted to see how it will go,because I wanted to use GPU while I'm not gaming for extra profit.
It turned out it mines pretty good,so I stopped playing games and I continued to mine constantly.
I had good temperatures around 86c average,and highest were 92c.We're talking about memory junction temperature of course,not the GPU temperature itself.
Today,I checked my PC and current temperature was 110c with 112c being max.
I was pretty shocked and worried,so I turned off my PC to get a little break.
Today ambient temperature was somewhat higher than previous days,so that definitely caused the temp increase.
 
I have one huge request if I may ask...
I have one store in my country that has good selection of thermal pads,so I wanted to ask you if you could please tell me what size and thickness of pads should I order for my model?
I would like best results of course and I heard that it's possible to replace pads on both memory and backplate,but they require different pad size.
I would like to install pads on both places to get lowest temperature possible.
 
Since I obviously don't know anything about pads,I would kindly like to ask you if you could recommend fitting pads for my model on this store (don't mind Croatian language,just concentrate on dimensions):
 
EDIT:I still don't have enough posts,so I can't post links,sorry.
Please look at the 3 pictures I uploaded to see what's on that store.
 
 
 
 
And most important question,I heard that manufacturers don't approve doing these kind of mods for GPUs,except for EVGA and ASUS (only TUF models tho).
Will I void warranty if I do this mod with my model?
And if one day my GPU gets malfunctioned,will I have problems if I send it to repair service in my local shop (I didn't ordered it directly from EVGA)?
 
Thank you very much for taking time to read this.
 

Don't replace the pads.  Improve case airflow, especially across the back of the card.

Nice post

soldorado

EVGATech_DanielM
Hello Chris
 
The cards thermal pads that are in place are designed to function as normal and not aware of any "thermal" issues with the ones that come with the card already installed. However we cannot recommend any 3rd party solution because this is an at risk modification. Note: we can send you the sizes if you need them. EVGA is one of the only company that allow mods to the card as long as you do not damage it or create a issue for the card that cannot be accepted for RMA and ultimately recertification. Feel free to send us a email to  

Super glad to hear EVGA supports users doing this. 
 

So you still have warranty even if you replace the thermal pads? Is there any significant improvement of thermals reported from doing this?

soldorado

EVGATech_DanielM
Hello Chris
 
The cards thermal pads that are in place are designed to function as normal and not aware of any "thermal" issues with the ones that come with the card already installed. However we cannot recommend any 3rd party solution because this is an at risk modification. Note: we can send you the sizes if you need them. EVGA is one of the only company that allow mods to the card as long as you do not damage it or create a issue for the card that cannot be accepted for RMA and ultimately recertification. Feel free to send us a email to  

Super glad to hear EVGA supports users doing this. 
 

Same, it's pretty nice PR and accommodates users if they want to go a bit DIY

I just replaced my pads. Dropped 10C+ on my mem temps.
 
Used 2mm pads on the mem chips, 1 mm on the chokes and 2mm on the mosfets.
 
I used the gelid ultimate pads instead of the thermalright pads since they are double the size for the same price. These pads are not super soft but I think that it's actually better. The EVGA pads are so damn soft that they are gooping on my card when i try to remove them.

I also got the xc3 3080, it's the same model card.
 
Search for Gelid Ultimate thermal pads on Amazon. Do not use Gelid EXTREME pads. the ultimate is harder, so they will be easier to replace when they get old. Extreme is also a soft pad, and I do NOT want to clean up goop again.
 
you can buy 3mm to use on the back plate as well, since that supposedly drops temps, but I am mining in a itx case, so the backplate doesn't get much airflow. I am assuming in a standard case, you would see much better temps drops from using pads on the backplate as well. Some people reported additional 3-5 C drops.
 
replacing the pads let me add +150 more on top of my +1100 on the memory. And I can hit 100MH/s on ETH stable. 
 
Make sure you buy some good thermal compound as well, because I ran out of my old tube of kryonaut since the die is so big. I had to use some Cooler Master doodoo paste.
 
edit: I bought one pack of 1mm and 2mm btw. The 3mm are kinda expensive, so I didn't buy them yet. They come in size of 90x50mm with 2 in each pad. Get a ruler and a sharp knife and measure the dimensions you need. I would make them 1mm extra large on the width so that you can be sure that you are getting good contact. Lay them on the card and not the cooler, make sure they don't move when you reattach the cooler. I still have enough pad left to do another change. Some people are suggesting 3-6 months per change, so you should be good for a while.

changen
I also got the xc3 3080, it's the same model card.
 
Search for Gelid Ultimate thermal pads on Amazon. Do not use Gelid EXTREME pads. the ultimate is harder, so they will be easier to replace when they get old. Extreme is also a soft pad, and I do NOT want to clean up goop again.
 
you can buy 3mm to use on the back plate as well, since that supposedly drops temps, but I am mining in a itx case, so the backplate doesn't get much airflow. I am assuming in a standard case, you would see much better temps drops from using pads on the backplate as well. Some people reported additional 3-5 C drops.
 
replacing the pads let me add +150 more on top of my +1100 on the memory. And I can hit 100MH/s on ETH stable. 
 
Make sure you buy some good thermal compound as well, because I ran out of my old tube of kryonaut since the die is so big. I had to use some Cooler Master doodoo paste.

I looked up Gelid Ultimate everywhere even on Amazon,but nobody ship to Croatia unfortunately.
I only have option to buy Gelid Extreme,but you said it's not good.
I personally don't mind cleaning up all that goop when replacing pads,so if that's the only problem with Gelid Extreme I'd take a shot with it,but I hope it's not too soft and it's thick/thin enough it will work well with my GPU and decrease memory temperature,but what worries my the most is thickness,will it work like Gelid Ultimate or will it be different due to being more soft than Ultimate?
 
If you could please tell me how many packages of these sizes should I buy for each part of the GPU?
1x   80x40x1.0mm (chokes)
2x   80x40x2.0mm (memory chips and mosfet)
1x   80x40x3.0mm (backplate)
 
Is this the right amount I need or should I to take more or less of some packages?
PS
here is a link from Aliexpress so you can see packages and dimensions:
 
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32862447045.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.c84e3985aakwbd&algo_pvid=fbbfa76d-01af-487d-b194-57483556f30d&algo_exp_id=fbbfa76d-01af-487d-b194-57483556f30d-0
 
 
Thank you very much for your help.
 

changen
do this instead
 
1x   80x40x1.0mm (chokes)
1x   80x40x2.0mm (memory chips)
1x   80x40x3.0mm (backplate and mosfet)
 
you should use 3mm on the mosfets, but I only had 2mm on hand and it works just fine. I did diagonal cuts on the 2mm pads to get some extra thickness so it's contacting the mosfets just fine for me. It's also getting a lot of airflow since it's on the front side of the cooler, so i am not that worried. 
 
Replace the mosfets pads with the 3mm pads, and use the leftovers for the backplate, if you want to buy the 3mm pads. the backplate would be at the way bottom of my priority list of cooling.

Thank you so much for you help!

Gato84

EVGATech_DanielM
Hello Chris
 
The cards thermal pads that are in place are designed to function as normal and not aware of any "thermal" issues with the ones that come with the card already installed. However we cannot recommend any 3rd party solution because this is an at risk modification. Note: we can send you the sizes if you need them. EVGA is one of the only company that allow mods to the card as long as you do not damage it or create a issue for the card that cannot be accepted for RMA and ultimately recertification. Feel free to send us a email to Support@EVGA.com 

I did not know about this. Does it means that EVGA allow us to change the GPUS's thermal pads as long as we do not do any damage to the GPU?
I was really afraid of changing the thermal pads because I thought that it would void the warranty.

Yeah,they are the only company that allow this kind of ''mod'' to their GPUs.
You can replace thermal pads and you won't void the warranty.
When I was looking to buy RTX 3080 I didn't had chance to pick which one did I want,but which one was available at the time and I got lucky and found one EVGA RTX 3080 that was only available,so I snatch it ASAP.
I heard about their costumer support and how good it is before,but after I bought my first EVGA GPU and found out that they allow to change thermal pads,I was more than happy I manage to get their version of RTX 3080.

i wouldnt Buy some cheap cpu pads from a cheap source... these pads are fine, apply paste to the unit as well as the pads.. Research online for a quick heat dissipating substance and theres not a whole lot of diffference with theswe pads. 2mm or 1mm thick , And ya got ripped apart pads :( .. Im not recommending spending extra money on cheap pads.

changen
I also got the xc3 3080, it's the same model card.
 
Search for Gelid Ultimate thermal pads on Amazon. Do not use Gelid EXTREME pads. the ultimate is harder, so they will be easier to replace when they get old. Extreme is also a soft pad, and I do NOT want to clean up goop again.
 
you can buy 3mm to use on the back plate as well, since that supposedly drops temps, but I am mining in a itx case, so the backplate doesn't get much airflow. I am assuming in a standard case, you would see much better temps drops from using pads on the backplate as well. Some people reported additional 3-5 C drops.
 
replacing the pads let me add +150 more on top of my +1100 on the memory. And I can hit 100MH/s on ETH stable. 
 
Make sure you buy some good thermal compound as well, because I ran out of my old tube of kryonaut since the die is so big. I had to use some Cooler Master doodoo paste.
 
edit: I bought one pack of 1mm and 2mm btw. The 3mm are kinda expensive, so I didn't buy them yet. They come in size of 90x50mm with 2 in each pad. Get a ruler and a sharp knife and measure the dimensions you need. I would make them 1mm extra large on the width so that you can be sure that you are getting good contact. Lay them on the card and not the cooler, make sure they don't move when you reattach the cooler. I still have enough pad left to do another change. Some people are suggesting 3-6 months per change, so you should be good for a while.

Is it necessary to put any thermal paste ontop of the pads after they are swapped (or under them before put on)? Or both?
 
Is kryonaut needed only for redoing the GPU chip itself (and do this either way after apart)?
 
Looks like they have it on amazon, i was only going to change the 2mm for memory junction but maybe worth doing the other
https://www.amazon.com/Gelid-Solutions-GP-Ultimate-90x50x0-5mm-TP-GP04/dp/B0922LKFKN?th=1
 Quality wise are these considered solid?  Or no matter what pads, they will need changed in 6 months (as temps spike again on memory junction)?
My open air rig of 6 cards my temps are 98 to 104c, I viewed this as necessary to change pads (i have a fan blowing from the side as well, and 5 fans in the rear of the rig, tried the box fan in addition in rear, didnt help).

Some reviews there said to use the extreme version as the GPU temps will go up due to squishy issues (not great contact)?  I however might just change the junction pads.