How risky is it for a novice to apply new thermal paste to a GPU?

[GamerBlake]

Hey guys, I’ve had my GPU (EVGA XC2 Ultra 2080 Ti) for a little over a year and I’ve noticed the max temps while playing GPU demanding games (RDR2, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Metro Exodus etc.,) is slowly creeping upwards. I have my GPU overclocked (2040 MHz core) and I run my fans at max 100% but my GPU max temp never used to go above 74C. It has slowly creeped up to 80C and I’m thinking I need to replace the thermal paste.

 

My question is how risky is it for a novice like myself to do this for the first time? Is it one of those things where one slip can ruin the card? My technical skill isn’t great. I was able to build my own computer by myself but it was hard for me so that’s about my limit as far as tech skills. 
 

I’m asking because I don’t want to ruin my GPU, especially as expensive as it was. If it were something like RAM that was much cheaper I’d probably risk it but with my GPU I just can’t afford to do so.

 

Sorry for the long background history.

 

Thanks!

[Moonzy]

1 minute ago, GamerBlake said:

but my GPU max temp never used to go above 74C. It has slowly creeped up to 80C

is it dust?

either on the gpu, or the casing's intake

[GamerBlake]

Just now, Moonzy said:

is it dust?

Nope! I took it out earlier today to check and it didn’t have much dust on it even before I used the compressed air to get what little there was.

 

 

[Samfisher]

I doubt a 1 year old card will have thermal paste issues.  My 1070 from 4 years ago has never been repasted and maintains the same temps all this while.  Either way, it's not that hard to do.  Just look for a guide for your specific model, keywords being teardown/disassembly etc.  Might have some luck with repaste too.  Look through it before following it, there might be some warnings that may come too late if you already started opening it up like needing to replace VRM thermal pads and some such that you may not have on hand right now, so opening it might mean you have no GPU until the replacement parts come in.

[Moonzy]

Just now, GamerBlake said:

Nope! I took it out earlier today to check and it didn’t have much dust on it even before I used the compressed air to get what little there was.

did u check the casing's intake fans?

[GamerBlake]

6 minutes ago, Samfisher said:

I doubt a 1 year old card will have thermal paste issues.  My 1070 from 4 years ago has never been repasted and maintains the same temps all this while.  Either way, it's not that hard to do.  Just look for a guide for your specific model, keywords being teardown/disassembly etc.  Might have some luck with repaste too.  Look through it before following it, there might be some warnings that may come too late if you already started opening it up like needing to replace VRM thermal pads and some such that you may not have on hand right now, so opening it might mean you have no GPU until the replacement parts come in.

Oh ok, would you happen to know if reapplying thermal paste voids the warranty? I still have my coverage on my card according to the EVGA website (as seen below).

 

Also is 80C something I should be worried about for a max temp? I use HWMonitor and so I can see the min and max temps over the time I play games.

[GamerBlake]

4 minutes ago, Moonzy said:

did u check the casing's intake fans?

Actually the intake fans are pretty new (like 3 months) and so they’re clean still.

[Moonzy]

Just now, GamerBlake said:

Actually the intake fans are pretty new (like 3 months) and so they’re clean still.

the dust filter of the casing perhaps?

1 minute ago, GamerBlake said:

Oh ok, would you happen to know if reapplying thermal paste voids the warranty? I still have my coverage on my card according to the EVGA website (as seen below).

depends on where u live, but opening up a gpu "voids" your warranty in most country but idk if it's legally binding anymore in the US

with all the rights to repair thing going on

[Samfisher]

2 minutes ago, GamerBlake said:

Oh ok, would you happen to know if reapplying thermal paste voids the warranty? I still have my coverage on my card according to the EVGA website (as seen below).

 

I'm not sure.  I hear good things about EVGA and their warranty coverage tho, but they don't really exist in my country.

[xg32]

13 minutes ago, GamerBlake said:

.

my temps are up slightly after 2 years....i think the xc2 ultra is easier to take apart than the original xc, just screws on the bottom. I wouldn't bother if u are selling the card and upgrading to ampere, the risk is there if u've never done it before.

 

If it makes u feel better my boost clocks are sitting at 1980 from the small cooler, but it is what it is, preorders didn't get a choice lol.

[Moonzy]

3 minutes ago, GamerBlake said:

Also is 80C something I should be worried about for a max temp? I use HWMonitor and so I can see the min and max temps over the time I play games.

not really, it's still under "normal" operating temp

it's a tad toasty for my personal taste though, and idk what is the normal operating temp for that exact model

[GamerBlake]

1 minute ago, Moonzy said:

the dust filter of the casing perhaps?

depends on where u live, but opening up a gpu "voids" your warranty in most country but idk if it's legally binding anymore in the US

with all the rights to repair thing going on

Good idea! I didn’t check the dust filter but I will do that .

 

Oh darn that sucks. Is 80C still safe or does this problem need immediate attention?

 

I use HWMonitor so I check there for the min and max temps after a gaming session and it’s usually like 44C min and 78-80C max. I don’t know if it stays at 80C the entire time only that it gets to 80C at some point.

[xg32]

1 minute ago, GamerBlake said:

Good idea! I didn’t check the dust filter but I will do that .

 

Oh darn that sucks. Is 80C still safe or does this problem need immediate attention?

 

I use HWMonitor so I check there for the min and max temps after a gaming session and it’s usually like 44C min and 78-80C max. I don’t know if it stays at 80C the entire time only that it gets to 80C at some point.

i game at 79C all day, it's fine

[GamerBlake]

1 minute ago, xg32 said:

my temps are up slightly after 2 years....i think the xc2 ultra is easier to take apart than the original xc, just screws on the bottom. I wouldn't bother if u are selling the card and upgrading to ampere, the risk is there if u've never done it before.

I was actually wondering what the difference was between XC and XC2 so it’s funny you said that.  

 

Im still not sure if I’m selling the card or not, it would depend what I could get for it. I know when Ampere comes out the price will drop since no one will pay $800-$900 for a 2080 Ti if a 3070 is just as good at $599-$699. Also I can’t sell it until after Ampere is released because then I won’t have a GPU :(.

[Moonzy]

1 minute ago, GamerBlake said:

Is 80C still safe or does this problem need immediate attention?

1 minute ago, Moonzy said:

not really, it's still under "normal" operating temp

it's a tad toasty for my personal taste though, and idk what is the normal operating temp for that exact model

 

1 minute ago, GamerBlake said:

78-80C max. I don’t know if it stays at 80C

gpu temps normally dont hover a lot, 78-80c sounds about the right hovering range of 2c

it could also be caused by different game causing different load on your cpu, thus kicking out different amount of heat into the system where the gpu cooler have to share the same ambient air

[GamerBlake]

1 minute ago, xg32 said:

i game at 79C all day, it's fine

Oh ok awesome! I know part of the problem might be my overclock. Most people clock it at 2000 MHz core but I’m at 2040.

[GamerBlake]

3 minutes ago, Moonzy said:

 

gpu temps normally dont hover a lot, 78-80c sounds about the right hovering range of 2c

it could also be caused by different game causing different load on your cpu, thus kicking out different amount of heat into the system where the gpu cooler have to share the same ambient air

I don’t think it’s because of the CPU heating up the air because that would be a problem for everyone then since everyone has CPUs and mine doesn’t run hotter than other 8700Ks. Usually maxes out at ~85C with my 280mm AIO cooling and I’m playing the same games as everyone else so if it were that then everyone would be having close to the same temps as mine.

[boggy77]

25 minutes ago, GamerBlake said:

Also is 80C something I should be worried about for a max temp?

i would keep it below 85.

is you ambient temp changing a lot? it might explain the difference between a 75C gpu and a 80C gpu if the difference between winter and summer ambient temp is also 5C (say 21C to 26C)

[Moonzy]

26 minutes ago, GamerBlake said:

I don’t think it’s because of the CPU heating up the air because that would be a problem for everyone then since everyone has CPUs and mine doesn’t run hotter than other 8700Ks. Usually maxes out at ~85C with my 280mm AIO cooling and I’m playing the same games as everyone else so if it were that then everyone would be having close to the same temps as mine.

i meant games that u play 1 year ago might be less CPU demanding, thus lower chassis internal temp

 

didcha clean the intake dust filter(s)? if it's dusty

[GamerBlake]

28 minutes ago, boggy77 said:

i would keep it below 85.

is you ambient temp changing a lot? it might explain the difference between a 75C gpu and a 80C gpu if the difference between winter and summer ambient temp is also 5C (say 21C to 26C)

Ah yeah that’s true. I do live in California and it’s the Summer, so it does get REALLY hot (~95F-103F) in the middle of the day and then cools down to the low 60s at night.

[GamerBlake]

17 minutes ago, Moonzy said:

i meant games that u play 1 year ago might be less CPU demanding, thus lower chassis internal temp

 

didcha clean the intake dust filter(s)? if it's dusty

Ohhh my bad . I misunderstood.

 

Well honestly games like RDR2 & AC: Odyssey are already 1-2 years old.

[Moonzy]

2 minutes ago, GamerBlake said:

Ah yeah that’s true. I do live in California and it’s the Summer, so it does get REALLY hot (~95F-103F) in the middle of the day and then cools down to the low 60s at night.

ambient  temps can also cause temps to raise and lower, almost 1:1 ratio (ie 1c raise in room ~= 1c raise in gpu temp)

2 minutes ago, GamerBlake said:

Ohhh my bad . I misunderstood.

Well honestly games like RDR2 & AC: Odyssey are already 1-2 years old.

yea, it's just one of the many factors that can cause a slight difference in temp

all in all, nothing to be alarmed about

give your pc a good ol dusting and it should be good

[hollyh88]

7 hours ago, GamerBlake said:

Ohhh my bad . I misunderstood.

 

Well honestly games like RDR2 & AC: Odyssey are already 1-2 years old.

play your game where the gpu gets the hottest during the hottest time during the day and then play it again in the evening after letting it cool down. see if the temps like many have said is a factor. it can also just be the cooler. you are after all having a 2080ti. more powerful thus runs hotter.

my old evga 1070 SC  that i had since launch of it also never needed a cooling paste change. and i played heavily on it. so like many said i doubt a 1 year old card would need it. 

an old fix i used to do though and sometimes still do if its like 33 degrees get yourself an airco and point it with airflow also to your pc.  more cooling=lower temps. it works pretty darn good. just a bit annoying but ey nothing headsets cant fix right?