NVIDIA partners use low-quality thermal paste in RTX 40xx video cards, which leads to overheating and cooling problems. Expert Igor Vallossek identified the cause and proposed a solution.
Problems with thermal paste
Identifying the problem
According to information from German specialist Igor Vallossek, video card manufacturers collaborating with NVIDIA use cheap thermal paste in RTX 40xx models. This leads to serious problems with devices overheating.
Consequences of using low-quality thermal paste
Owners of NVIDIA RTX 40xx video cards are faced with a serious problem: the temperature of the devices rises above 100 °C, which causes a sharp increase in fan speed almost to the maximum. Although thermal paste works effectively initially, its quality quickly deteriorates within a few months.
Research by Igor Vallossek
After receiving numerous complaints from readers about ineffective cooling, Igor Vallossek conducted a study. Analyzing the RTX 4080 Gallardo and RTX 4080 TUF Gaming models, he found that the only cause of the problems was low-quality thermal paste. Replacing the paste immediately normalized the temperature of the devices.
Thermal paste quality analysis
Vallossek tested the thermal paste with the new RTX 4080 Gallardo. At a temperature of 60 °C and a thin layer of application, the paste showed incredibly high efficiency. However, as the layer thickness increased, its thermal conductivity decreased significantly, becoming comparable to conventional pastes such as Arctic MX-6.
Microscopic Examination
Examination under a microscope revealed that the paste contains an unusual oil mixture that dries quickly. The composition contains particles up to 16 microns in size, which is too large for high-quality thermal paste. Large aluminum oxide particles were added to improve thermal conductivity in the short term, but they contribute to a rapid decline in efficiency in the long term.
Solution
Although replacing thermal paste is a relatively simple and inexpensive solution, it does require video card disassembly skills. This raises questions, because owners of expensive devices should not be faced with the need to repair themselves.
Glossary
- NVIDIA is an American technology company, a developer of graphics processing units and systems on a chip.
- RTX 40xx is a series of high-performance GPUs from NVIDIA.
- Igor Vallossek is a German computer hardware expert and founder of Igor's Lab.
- Arctic MX-6 is a popular brand of thermal paste for computer components.
- TUF Gaming is a line of computer components from ASUS, aimed at gamers.
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What is the problem with NVIDIA RTX 40xx video cards?
Who discovered a problem with thermal paste in NVIDIA video cards?
What are the characteristics of low-quality thermal paste used in RTX 40xx?
How does a problem with thermal paste manifest itself during the operation of a video card?
How can I solve the problem of overheating of NVIDIA RTX 40xx video cards?
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Discussion of the topic – RTX 40xx Overheating: Researcher Reveals Thermal Paste Problem
Igor Vallossek, a well-known German repairman, claims that NVIDIA partners use low-quality thermal paste in RTX 40xx video cards, which leads to massive overheating. The problem affects many owners of these video cards.
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Francesca
Wow, this is a major problem for RTX 40xx owners! 😱 I thought about buying such a card, but now I’ll think about it. Has anyone experienced overheating?
Hans
I have an RTX 4080 and yes, I noticed that the fans are louder than usual. I thought this was normal for a powerful card, but now I understand that the problem is in the thermal paste. 🤔 Francesca, maybe we should wait until NVIDIA fixes the situation?
Sophia
It's outrageous! Pay that kind of money for a premium product and get cheap thermal paste. 😤 NVIDIA should conduct a recall campaign and replace the paste for free. Hans, have you tried contacting support?
Diego
I'm a computer repair technician, and I can confirm that replacing the thermal paste does solve the problem. But I agree with Sophia, this should be done by the company, not the users. 🛠️ Maybe it’s worth organizing a petition?
Oliver
They are making a mountain out of a mountain again. Thermal paste is a consumable, it still needs to be changed. Whiners, they bought an expensive toy, but they don’t want to service it. Previously, people assembled computers themselves, but now they are afraid to pick up a screwdriver. Funny.
Hans
Sophia, I haven't contacted support yet. Oliver, I understand your point of view, but still at this price I want to get a product that does not require immediate repair. 🤷♂️ Diego, the petition idea sounds good!
Francesca
Diego, is it difficult to replace the thermal paste yourself? Maybe there are some tips for those who decide to do this? I'm a little afraid of ruining my expensive video card... 😅
Diego
Francesca, it's not too difficult, but you have to be careful. The main thing is to properly disassemble the card and apply a thin layer of new paste. There are good video instructions online. But if in doubt, it is better to consult a specialist. Safety first! 👨🔧
Rolles yann
Je suppose que de remplacer la pate thermique sois même fait voler la guarantie? Étant possesseur d'une 4080 phoenix je sais que certaines vis onts des autocolants de sécurité!