Silicone gpu pads - They look bad but is there any better option?

[Bigsmackisback]

So, im sitting here looking at the blue silicone thermal pads between the heatsink and memory/gpu and i cant help thinking that its ugly and cant possibly transfer heat well (due to the thickness and the lack of any metal compound material within)

 

So, the question is - should i tear down my GFX card and pull off that nasty looking goo and repaste it? 

 

If i did .... wouldnt that leave a 1mm-ish gap between the HS and chips once the HS is screwed down with a minimal pasting?

 

I mean, my temps arnt bad at all, but considering an OC to get 5-20% more out of the card if it something i should consider first?

 

Last Q - should i even bother with any of that and just OC the card as-is and get whatever i can get with what the manufacturer used?

[mariushm]

Thermal pastes only work well in thin layers.

In thick quantities, their efficiency decreases significantly and the thermal pads are better choices.

 

You don't mix thermal paste with thermal pads.... you don't damage anything but it won't help.

 

If you don't like the color, or if you want higher quality (better heat transfer), you can buy better thermal pads. They're available in stores that sell electronic components.

For example, here they are on Digikey  : https://www.digikey.com/products/en/fans-thermal-management/thermal-pads-sheets/218

Keep in mind the thermal pads are mixed with insulator pads, which won't transfer heat... use the filters and then sort by heat transfer efficiency

 

For example 18$ for 115 MM X 90 MM 1mm thick graphite pad, Panasonic PGS: https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/panasonic-electronic-components/EYG-E0912XD6D/P19090-ND/5844917

The 0.5mm version is 22$ : https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/panasonic-electronic-components/EYG-E0912XF5F/P19821-ND/6188412

 

[191x7]

On some cards opening them woids the warranty.

Stock thermal pads should be alright, if you really want to you can replace them with better ones.

Regular termal paste wouldn't fill the gap where it was meant for a thermal pad to go.

Stock thermal paste is also OK, but better pastes can improve the temperatures by a few degrees.

I'd recommend repasting and changing the pads when the warranty runs out and the temperatures start increasing a lot compared to when the card was new.

[Bigsmackisback]

Just to clarify i never meant thermal pads + thermal paste - im not stupid.

 

I know theres plenty more room heat wise for a good OC, just is it really worth the hassle to get new pads or some other funky pasty option im missing?

 

EDIT: not bothered about warranty voiding

[Blue4130]

5 hours ago, Bigsmackisback said:

So, im sitting here looking at the blue silicone thermal pads between the heatsink and memory/gpu and i cant help thinking that its ugly and cant possibly transfer heat well (due to the thickness and the lack of any metal compound material within) 

They arent made of silicone, they are made of materials that are quite effect at transferring heat. They don't need to contain metal to do so. They will work way better than trying to use paste, as you said, paste won't fill the gap. 

 

Have you tried over clocking as is? What are your Temps at? 

[BTGbullseye]

If it's really an issue, you could get some thin aluminum washers, and "polish" them with some fine grit sandpaper (1200 or higher) and use thermal paste. Shouldn't have any issue with it.