bp7178
I tried using 1.0mm pads on the memory, they don't make contact with the KPE block. There's a very slight gap, but a gap nonetheless. 
 
EVGA using 1.25mm pads is a bit of a head scratcher. They don't seem to be commonly available size. 

I wonder what dwexpress did different?

Did you use different pads everywhere else as well?

I tried .5mm on the mem w/ 1.0mm on the VRM (same as EK uses on their 2080 Ti block) in addition to 1.0mm on the mem w/ 1.5mm on the VRM and inductors. 
 
I even tried swapping out the standoffs with the ones on an EKWB 2080 Ti waterblock, which was a no-go.
 
I'm not a fan of how high the HC block its in addition to using those outer screw holes around the GPU die. I'd guess the mounting pressure isn't very high. 
 
I suppose if you are using 1.0mm pads on the memory and you can see a gap during a test fit, just use a dab of thermal paste. Memory temps aren't as critical as the core. 
 
On the EKWB 2080 Ti block...there's a lot more fluid travel over the VRM and memory than on the HC block. The HC block just seems to have a pathway for the water over the GPU die, and everything else gets passively cooled. Not that this is a big problem though, my issue is with the core temps. 
 
 

Have you tried running the Time Spy Extreme Stress Test? 
 
I'm a bit over the 39c they got in the XDevs article. 
 

bcavnaugh

bp7178
I tried using 1.0mm pads on the memory, they don't make contact with the KPE block. There's a very slight gap, but a gap nonetheless. 
 
EVGA using 1.25mm pads is a bit of a head scratcher. They don't seem to be commonly available size. 

I wonder what dwexpress did different?

I did post that I used thermal paste between the memory modules and the thermal pads as well, but the clearance is so tight that even the tightness of the screws will make a difference, especially if using the fujipoly pads because they have less give then other pads do.

Discoloration is normal and why some like Nickel Plated Copper over Raw Copper.
Thanks for the info, I was thinking that the Thermal Past was Between the Memory Chips and not on them.
I wonder if the Pad on the Chip then the Thermal Past on top to contact the Water Block.
https://graphicscardhub.com/best-thermal-pad/

dwexpress
This is more discoloration then I've ever had, almost grey.

That is with the Koolance Coolant?
Blue or Clear?
 
I think I see the same on mine as well.

In the article about the 2080 Ti KPE on the XDevs site, there is a section where they mention the HC block for it. They run Time Spy Extreme Stress Test and the card only gets to 39c with a 25c ambient temp(!). Their card is idling at 26c, so a 13c delta between idle and max. 
 
My ambient is about 21-22c, my card is sitting at 21c at idle. My max temp was 47c. This was with a +100 overclock, ending up at 48.23 FPS average. The picture I attached previously was my run at stock speeds. That run got to 45c. I didn't upload that one, only the overclocked one. 
 
https://www.3dmark.com/3dm/37493925
 
I have two EKWB 240 PE rads with Corsair ML120 fans at a fixed 60%. EK Velocity on a 8086K was well, which doesn't really get warm during the stress test. 
 
https://xdevs.com/guide/2080ti_kpe/#h2ocool

I just waisted a whole day changing the pads out for nothing!

Now my temps on everything is about 5-10c higher!!

No idea... maybe the GPU bracket is somehow hitting the memory cutout area. GPU temps are the same for gpu1 and 2.

Will post up before and after idle and load temps after dinner.

Glad I kept the original pads.

AHowes
I just waisted a whole day changing the pads out for nothing!

Now my temps on everything is about 5-10c higher!!

No idea... maybe the GPU bracket is somehow hitting the memory cutout area. GPU temps are the same for gpu1 and 2.

Will post up before and after idle and load temps after dinner.

Glad I kept the original pads.

What about the GPU PCB Temperature?
Did you do a Test Imprint?
Glad I guess that I have not changed mine out as I may return them now.

Before temps.. room temp 66-68F
 
GPU1- 25c / load 32C
GPU2- 27C / load 33C
MEM1- 37C / load 39C
MEM2- 33C / load 35C
MEM3- 25C / load 30C
PWR1- 28C / load 32C
PWR2- 26 / load 31C
PWR3- 27 / load 31C
PWR4- 24C / load 33C
PWr5- 24C / load 27C
 
After with new pads
 
GPU1- 24C / load 32C
GPU2- 28C / load 34C
MEM1- 41C / load 45C
MEM2- 36C / load 40C
MEM3- 30C / load 40C
PWR1- 28C / load 32C
PWR2- 28C / load 36C
PWR3- 32C / load 39C
PWR4- 32C / load 40C
PWR5- 24C / load 29C
 
No I did not do a press fit check.. :/
 
Guessing from the above the memory pads at 1.0mm are too thin and not making good contact. Maybe the 1.25mm or 1.5mm would work better to get a good squish.  1 50x60 1.5mm pad would do for the memory.

bcavnaugh
Odd how low MEM1 is before and after.
What about the GPU PCB Temperature?
The KPE has 3 GPU Temperatures the GPU PCB is always the highest on mine.
But none of your Temperatures seem real under load, what is your Load?

Yeah I know.. i'll know more when I goto take it apart and see the leftover imprint left behind on the pads.
 
No idea where to read the GPU PCB temp?
 
I used Firestrike Extreme for load temps.

AHowes

bcavnaugh
 
 
Odd how low MEM1 is before and after.
What about the GPU PCB Temperature?
The KPE has 3 GPU Temperatures the GPU PCB is always the highest on mine.
But none of your Temperatures seem real under load, what is your Load?
 
Room Temperatures 18.88°C - 20°C for a better compare of the KPE Temperatures.

Yeah I know.. i'll know more when I goto take it apart and see the leftover imprint left behind on the pads.
 
No idea where to read the GPU PCB temp?
 
I used Firestrike Extreme for load temps.

On the OLED is the only place you can read the GPU PCB Temperature.
Not really a load if only Benchmarking, run the Stress Test as few times.
 

AHowes
Id like an official answer of the pad thickness's used for the block..

You still cannot find that Edit Button It was given to us as 1.25 mm.
https://xdevs.com/guide/2080ti_kpe/#hcblock
 
 
 Or better called the GPU Die temp at the bottom of the list. It will be the last Temperature shown on the OLED

AHowes
Id like an official answer of the pad thickness's used for the block..

It’s listed on the Xdev guide for the 2080 Ti KPE.

1.25mm memory
1.5mm VRM/Inductors/FETs

“Memory pad, 3 pcs : 55 × 15 × 1.25mm thickness
Right (near I/O) VRM pads : 50.5 × 6.3 × 1.5 mm and 54.5 × 15 × 1.5 mm
Left VRM pads : 25 × 15 × 1.5 mm, 90 × 15 × 1.5 mm and 114.5 × 6.3 × 1.5 mm
Little square for FETs, 2 pcs : 10 × 10 × 1.5mm”

https://xdevs.com/guide/2080ti_kpe/#hcblock

bp7178

AHowes
Id like an official answer of the pad thickness's used for the block..

It’s listed on the Xdev guide for the 2080 Ti KPE.

1.25mm memory
1.5mm VRM/Inductors/FETs

“Memory pad, 3 pcs : 55 × 15 × 1.25mm thickness
Right (near I/O) VRM pads : 50.5 × 6.3 × 1.5 mm and 54.5 × 15 × 1.5 mm
Left VRM pads : 25 × 15 × 1.5 mm, 90 × 15 × 1.5 mm and 114.5 × 6.3 × 1.5 mm
Little square for FETs, 2 pcs : 10 × 10 × 1.5mm”

https://xdevs.com/guide/2080ti_kpe/#hcblock

 
Thanks!
 
All that i'm going to try tonight is to loosen the GPU bracket while the card is installed and see if it freely moves around. If it does then the gpu bracket isint hitting the block at all around the memory part. If its tight after lossening the 4 screws then that tells me that bracket is hitting the block and its gota go.
 
EDIT: I'm not going to be able to reach the 4 bracket screws with it installed due to hard water lines in the way from the CPU block. :/
 
Prob not going to mess with it tonight as it will take many hours to drain the system and remove the block and reinstall and refill. A job for tomorrow.
 
Wish I had another 1.5m pad to try on the memory chips.. its either the 1.0mm pads are too thin or the gpu bracket is hitting the block around the memory areas which are close to the bracket.