Worth putting liquid metal TIM on GPU

[Lord Nicoll]

I know temps won't come down much if at all, but is it worth it for the effort? The GPU is a slightly hacked MSI GTX 980, usually 1560MHz stable at sound 58°C, I have Antec Formula 7 on it now, a pretty good nano diamond TIM I personally love, but has anyone done it? I only really found a few sources and usually it was a stock cooler and they're trying to eek some more power out of it, but nothing solid. 

[Maxxtraxx]

I would personally say no, my primary concern for myself being that liquid metal is conductive, and a GPU does not have an IHS like a CPU so any over application or runoff could potentially short out and therefore potentially destroy.

 

But I could be wrong about the likelihood of that happening.

[Kenoxabe]

Don't do it. Unless it's for science, then by all means.

 

But personally, I won't attempt it. Cant risk having a GPU die on me specially if I don't have a replacement immediately.

[Lord Nicoll]

Just now, Maxxtraxx said:

I would personally say no, my primary concern for myself being that liquid metal is conductive, and a GPU does not have an IHS like a CPU so any over application or runoff could potentially short out and therefore potentially destroy.

 

But I could be wrong about the likelihood of that happening.

That can be mitigated by sealing them, however I'm pretty accurate with the application and have yet to have a short, but a valid concern, however if I'm fine with soldering on the card, that should show my concern for the GPU. 

[Lord Nicoll]

Just now, ZakuII said:

Don't do it. Unless it's for science, then by all means.

 

But personally, I won't attempt it. Cant risk having a GPU die on me specially if I don't have a replacement immediately.

FOR SCIENCE, but note the part where I remarked it's slightly hacked, so the risk of it dying it already hanging over me like the sword of Damocles. 

[Kenoxabe]

Just now, Lord Nicoll said:

FOR SCIENCE, but note the part where I remarked it's slightly hacked, so the risk of it dying it already hanging over me like the sword of Damocles. 

Then do it. Be suicidal. Be crazy. Be awesome.

[whoisit1118]

Absolutely no reason if the temps are already at 58 degrees.

[jcw150]

Is it worth it? No

Should you do it? No

Will you do it? Probably

[Lord Nicoll]

Just now, ZakuII said:

Then do it. Be suicidal. Be crazy. Be awesome.

The only reason I haven't already, is laziness, but I also wanted to see if anyone else here had done it, except this person whom I wouldn't trust much since he uses widely inaccurate terms and such. I mean he just wipes it off, I guess not everyone has acid but I'd be more inclined to use that first. He seems to think the silicon die is metal

 

[0ld_Chicken]

Definitely don't do it if your cooler or any contact surface is aluminum, the LM will eat right into it.  I tried using some on my 980 waterblock (aquacomputer kryographics) and saw basically no difference over something like kyronaut or hydronaut

[Vigilante505]

17 minutes ago, 0ld_Chicken said:

Definitely don't do it if your cooler or any contact surface is aluminum, the LM will eat right into it.  I tried using some on my 980 waterblock (aquacomputer kryographics) and saw basically no difference over something like kyronaut or hydronaut

Whats kryonaut/hydronaut?

 

And also, what fluid is that in your avatar?

[Lord Nicoll]

45 minutes ago, Vigilante505 said:

Whats kryonaut/hydronaut?

 

And also, what fluid is that in your avatar?

Kyronaut is a thermal compound that aside from performing fantastically, is used with cryogenics for extreme overclocking, hydronaut is similar but a more budget friendly option for people who are never going LN2 and just want the performance. The fluid from this posters loop looks like Mayhems Aurora supernova with a blue dye, probably Mayhems deep blue. 

[Purgent]

Science that bitch!

 

... and then report back.

[0ld_Chicken]

2 hours ago, Vigilante505 said:

Whats kryonaut/hydronaut?

 

And also, what fluid is that in your avatar?

what he said lol

2 hours ago, Lord Nicoll said:

Kyronaut is a thermal compound that aside from performing fantastically, is used with cryogenics for extreme overclocking, hydronaut is similar but a more budget friendly option for people who are never going LN2 and just want the performance. The fluid from this posters loop looks like Mayhems Aurora supernova with a blue dye, probably Mayhems deep blue. 

 

[Vigilante505]

12 hours ago, 0ld_Chicken said:

what he said lol

 

Isn't that fluid just for show? I thought it clogged up the system which is why I didn't get it. Love the look. 

[Lord Nicoll]

5 minutes ago, Vigilante505 said:

Isn't that fluid just for show? I thought it clogged up the system which is why I didn't get it. Love the look. 

Mostly, but is doesn't clog as bad as some say, but it depends on concentration and how long it's in there, it doesn't last as long as some. 

[maartendc]

17 hours ago, Lord Nicoll said:

I know temps won't come down much if at all, but is it worth it for the effort?

I think you pretty much answered your own question already. No.

 

If you are just fooling around with a redundant card, go for it. If it is your primary GPU, not worth the risk.

[0ld_Chicken]

2 hours ago, Vigilante505 said:

Isn't that fluid just for show? I thought it clogged up the system which is why I didn't get it. Love the look. 

I've never had issues with it "clogging" anything but the particles do settle anywhere they can, mostly dead spots in the loop and between surfaces like threads of fittings.  I've had it last anywhere from a week to 4 months depending on the loop.  Its a pain but SO beautiful!

[Lord Nicoll]

On 8/7/2017 at 3:57 AM, Purgent said:

Science that bitch!

 

... and then report back.

 

On 8/7/2017 at 1:13 AM, jcw150 said:

Is it worth it? No

Should you do it? No

Will you do it? Probably

 

On 8/7/2017 at 1:02 AM, ZakuII said:

Don't do it. Unless it's for science, then by all means.

 

But personally, I won't attempt it. Cant risk having a GPU die on me specially if I don't have a replacement immediately.

 

On 8/7/2017 at 1:01 AM, Maxxtraxx said:

I would personally say no, my primary concern for myself being that liquid metal is conductive, and a GPU does not have an IHS like a CPU so any over application or runoff could potentially short out and therefore potentially destroy.

 

But I could be wrong about the likelihood of that happening.

Oh man, over a month later and I did, only because during heavy heavy OCing to 1555MHz-1580MHz the temps at one point hit 72°C, with what I consider a pretty good thermal compound (still Antec Formula 7). With Thermal Grizzly's Conductonaut temps maxed out at 64°C. Is 8°C worth it? Meh, Maybe. 

[Voxels-Box]

On 9/23/2017 at 1:43 AM, Lord Nicoll said:

Oh man, over a month later and I did, only because during heavy heavy OCing to 1555MHz-1580MHz the temps at one point hit 72°C, with what I consider a pretty good thermal compound (still Antec Formula 7). With Thermal Grizzly's Conductonaut temps maxed out at 64°C. Is 8°C worth it? Meh, Maybe. 

Are you using the stock cooler on that card? Or is it a waterblock?  Im interested in using the conductonaut on my gpu, but I havent seen much info on using it with a waterblock (EK nickel plated copper, I believe)

[Lord Nicoll]

17 hours ago, Voxels-Box said:

Are you using the stock cooler on that card? Or is it a waterblock?  Im interested in using the conductonaut on my gpu, but I havent seen much info on using it with a waterblock (EK nickel plated copper, I believe)

stock air cooler (MSI). Mine is modded for better fan speed though. I had run it on an AIO before with normal nano diamond thermal paste, and it was comparably performing. Yes it might be a few degrees cooler, idk if it's worth it, I like conductonaut because I don't need to reapply it after taking the cooler off. 

[Voxels-Box]

1 hour ago, Lord Nicoll said:

stock air cooler (MSI). Mine is modded for better fan speed though. I had run it on an AIO before with normal nano diamond thermal paste, and it was comparably performing. Yes it might be a few degrees cooler, idk if it's worth it, I like conductonaut because I don't need to reapply it after taking the cooler off. 

Thanks for the info, especially that last part. I hadnt realized that the LM might last multiple installations. Im more interested for the novelty of it, so as long as its not a negative impact from it, it seems like a fun extra step

[Lord Nicoll]

1 hour ago, Voxels-Box said:

Thanks for the info, especially that last part. I hadnt realized that the LM might last multiple installations. Im more interested for the novelty of it, so as long as its not a negative impact from it, it seems like a fun extra step

I really can't see a negative point besides the conductive part. Yes, reapplying it is a pain, and I've seen no bad effects from not reapplying it, especially for €50 for shipping and 5 grammes of it, similar to cocaine almost, not that I'd know that. I use it on my EKBW supremacy EVO, nickel, it didn't do anything to the finish so far.

[DildorTheDecent]

On 07/08/2017 at 12:58 AM, Lord Nicoll said:

I know temps won't come down much if at all, but is it worth it for the effort? The GPU is a slightly hacked MSI GTX 980, usually 1560MHz stable at sound 58°C, I have Antec Formula 7 on it now, a pretty good nano diamond TIM I personally love, but has anyone done it? I only really found a few sources and usually it was a stock cooler and they're trying to eek some more power out of it, but nothing solid. 

@Gofspar (if you're still around my dude)

[Voxels-Box]

1 hour ago, Lord Nicoll said:

I really can't see a negative point besides the conductive part. Yes, reapplying it is a pain, and I've seen no bad effects from not reapplying it, especially for €50 for shipping and 5 grammes of it, similar to cocaine almost, not that I'd know that. I use it on my EKBW supremacy EVO, nickel, it didn't do anything to the finish so far.

That's good to know as well. I was also thinking about it for my 1700X and EK nickel monoblock. Thanks for all the info!  Did you do anything specific to prevent against getting it on the little components near the dies themselves? I keep seeing people talk about nail polish.