Does anyone have experience with the Kritical EVGA thermal pad kits? 
 
https://kriticalpads.com/Custom-GPU-sets_c_11.html
 
The kit comes with appropriately sized thermal pads with the correct tolerances, but I'm skeptical of something that I can't find any reviews on the internet (excluding one YouTube channel).
 
I'm looking for first-hand experience with the Kritical kits as everything they include is appropriately sized. I like that they're simple but unsure if these are all they claim to be.
 
As for Gelid, are people using the 2mm or the 3mm pads for the specified 2.25mm tolerances? I assume people are using 1mm pads for the 0.75mm tolerances?
 
Thanks in advance, and Happy Holidays! 

Thanks for the info. I was worried they were too small/new for many opinions, but I think I'm going to give them a try.
 
I'll get some good baseline data now, once it's installed, then over time to see if they're really working as well as advertised. 

ty_ger07
W/m-K testing/certification of thermal pads is not standardized. It is only a claim and nothing more. With lack of standard testing procedures, one claim cannot be compared to another claim. So, be careful before buying into it with hopes of massive gains.

Agreed. Hence, my initial skepticism, particularly since Thermalright advertises decent ratings but often performs poorly. That's why I was going to get some good baseline data before trying these pads. 
 
Honestly, given that all the pads are precut to EVGS's tolerances, I'll be happy as long as Kritical thermals pads perform well (given the examples I've seen other people post -- low, maybe mid 80's for the memory temps). With the technical link MDG73 posted, I  should have a good idea of how well these pads perform in reality, regardless of their 20W/mK theoretical claim and I'll know if I should change to the Gelid 1mm kit and 2/3mm kit. 
 
 

The hardness of pads is another variable
 
Normally I'd go with slightly thicker if the odd size is not available.  If the pad is harder to compress, then you could have issues.
 
Changing thermal pads is a two step process. 
The first test - assembly before you add the TIM to the GPU die - is the only way to know if proper contact is being made on all pads

Also be aware that if you ever have to send your video card in for warranty replacement, you will need to remove those pads and put thermal putty back wherever there used to be thermal putty. EVGA has been rejecting warranties for lack of factory-like condition regarding thermal putty vs thermal pads. You can (or at least could) buy a tube of thermal putty somewhere on EVGA's website.

gimeno

ty_ger07
Also be aware that if you ever have to send your video card in for warranty replacement, you will need to remove those pads and put thermal putty back wherever there used to be thermal putty. EVGA has been rejecting warranties for lack of factory-like condition regarding thermal putty vs thermal pads. You can (or at least could) buy a tube of thermal putty somewhere on EVGA's website.

Excellent advice!
 
The EVGA Hybrid Kit said to save the factory-installed heatsink and return the card to its factory configuration if I have to RMA the card, but it didn't mention replacing thermal pads with the original thermal putty they'd used. 
 
I assume the link below is the correct stuff?
 
https://www.evga.com/prod...aspx?pn=M047-10-000003

Yes that is the "Stuff"
 
Snap some pictures & Keep all the stock screws together & easy to find with the stock cooler parts. 
 
I like to use small bags & place the parts into the original GPU box

scott91575

ty_ger07
Also be aware that if you ever have to send your video card in for warranty replacement, you will need to remove those pads and put thermal putty back wherever there used to be thermal putty. EVGA has been rejecting warranties for lack of factory-like condition regarding thermal putty vs thermal pads. You can (or at least could) buy a tube of thermal putty somewhere on EVGA's website.

Can I get confirmation from someone at EVGA on this?

This is a user-to-user forum. If you want EVGA to reply, it's best to ask EVGA directly. That is, if for some reason you don't believe me and don't believe what EVGA employees have themselves written on this forum. Otherwise, I suggest that you use the search feature to find examples for yourself.

I have heard you can literally send them in without any pads as long as you note it in the return (which is what someone with water block would do).

Those days are gone. EVGA has become very petty about warranty terms. 'Factory condition means factory condition!' They have rejected warranty claims for missing thermal pads, sent the card back to the user, and told them to try again when it is in factory condition. Or, if the user whined about it enough on social media, EVGA has agreed to accept the card as-is for an extra fee.

scott91575

ty_ger07
This is a user-to-user forum. If you want EVGA to reply, it's best to ask EVGA directly. 

 

ty_ger07don't believe what EVGA employees have themselves written on this forum.

 
 
ummmmmm
 

1 read my edit above.
2 just because an EVGA employee may post on this forum, doesn't mean that you should expect them to.

Use some logic. Put some effort in.

I do like seeing competition and new innovations, sellers etc on the market.  That being said--is there a data sheet?  I coudn't easily find one.  Thermal pad performance, generally, is only achieved when a certain amount of compression applied.  In this case, the reddit post does not list the level of compression required to get 20 w/mk.  Nor an actual hardness rating of the pad.  I know measurements can be subjective but I find it odd there's little technical info other than the signficant claim of "20 w/mk".  
 
 

ty_ger07
Scott, I think you are being quite rude. You don't believe me, but put no effort into verifying whether you have a reason to doubt what I wrote?

I would provide links if I were an encyclopedia or a robot, but I can't be expected to remember where I read about this occurring over and over again.

This is the only recent example I have found, but I gave read about it happening multiple times to various people.

User sent in card with:
1) thermal paste where thermal pads usually are
2) back IO plate not installed (but IO plate was in the box)
https://forums.evga.com/3...-picture-m3448334.aspx
EVGA rejected the warranty claim, but later backed down and said they would accept it for a fee.

Yeah, I am the one being rude.  I called you an ass because you were being an ass.  Don't be an ass and people will be a bit more kind to you.  That logic and effort comment is what was rude.  I was using logic.  I wasn't trusting a stranger on the internet with just their word.  I also have had responses from EVGA employees on here.  If they don't respond I will put in more effort.  I am not in some massive hurry. 
 
and while that situation shows you should try to return things to factory if you use a water block it doesn't completely answer the situation with replacing the pads and putty.  I do have other questions but I will just get another smart ass comment from you about effort and logic so I won't bother.  I am sorry I asked questions while desiring a response from the company that actually makes the decisions.
 
As for some advice, if someone wants an employee to respond and you are not an employee, don't respond.  Use some logic.

Honestly, guys, for a $1,700 graphics card (including hybrid cooler and taxes), $10 on thermal putty is not a big deal. 
 
I understand both sides, but the problem is likely not the average honest person. It's probably the ones who abuse the RMA program that create the problem.
 
I once bought a 2080 Kingpin from Microcenter discounted because it was open-box and returned. Visually the thing looked fine except for one minor ding in the radiator. But, the card stuttered and crashed non-stop in games, and I can only assume the original owner did something stupid, then returned it as if nothing was wrong. I told Microcenter the original owner junked the card, but I doubt they did anything. 
 
Regardless, if EVGA wants cards returned to factory condition when they're warrantied, I'm okay with that. They're not making bank on a $10 tube of putty, and EVGA likely has to evaluate the card to determine if it failed because it was aggressively/carelessly modified or because of an actual defect. The simplest way to do that is to return it to factory condition. 

03whitegsr
FWIW, I had to warrantee a 3080 after swapping on a hybrid cooler. I sent it back with no paste, most of the original pads tore into multiple pieces or balled up, and most the screws loose. Figured they would have to take it apart anyway so why bother.

They cross shipped it and refunded my deposit with like an hour of it getting there. No issues at all. It's honestly what has made me feel like EVGA will get all my monies in the future. They don't make the best product, but they do stand behind what they make and make it right if there is a problem.

You are lucky. It's hit and miss. That's the way it used to be, but officially things are different now.

As for the 20W/mK pads, that's like 5W/mK higher then anybody else, isn't it? The Gelid Ultimates are 15 anyway and most others are under 12. Seems like 20 is a bunch of wishful thinking.

Yeah, it is probably nonsense.
The temperature they are tested at makes a huge difference in W/m-K value. And testing temperature is not standardized. So, you can get wildly different numbers; which makes the numbers pretty much useless for comparing products.

Let's keep this civil, gang. 
No one except EVGA employees responding to your particular query can confirm any of this. Don't assume otherwise. Note that there were no actual employee responses in the forum thread ty_ger07 forwarded either.
If you want an official reply, don't rely on them responding here. Submit a ticket/question against your product here to get an answer, but keep in mind the reduced Holiday hours.

BizSAR
Note that there were no actual employee responses in the forum thread ty_ger07 forwarded either.

Not true. Look at post #20 above with quote from EVGA employee and link to thread where it came from.

ty_ger07
New example of warranty rejected due to thermal pad issues:
https://forums.evga.com/E...-m3506690.aspx#3506690

So when i swap my pads ill make sure to keep the stock ones in ziplocs in my gpu box. good to know, pouring one out for the gentleman who started that thread.