Because the issue of cooling graphics cards
should not focus on the GPU alone.
The latest generation of graphics cards are equipped with ever faster video memory. We are talking about GDDR6X chips at 19 Gbps on the GeForce RTX 3070 Ti for example.
A fast memory, but which heats up horribly and the solutions put in place by the manufacturers are not really satisfactory, hence the idea of a few modders particularly enterprising.
Beware of conductivity
As reported by our colleagues from Videocardz, a certain DandyWorks has decided to replace the thermal pads usually used to evacuate heat with copper pads. A modification that has considerably lowered the temperature of the memory chips.
With supporting captures, DandyWorks explains that with this type of modification, it was able to lower the temperature – under load – of the chips of its RTX 3070 Ti by more than 40°C: with crypto- mining, it was 110°C before, but is now only 64°C!
However, he explains that this modification is not within everyone’s reach. Several risks are to be taken into consideration with, first of all, the need to monitor the thickness of the copper pads: they must not interfere with the positioning of the GPU cooler.
Moreover, if copper is an excellent way to evacuate heat, it is also a very good conductor. In fact, the slightest mistake and you risk a short circuit. Still, HardwareLuxx has relayed other similar modifications, on RTX 3080s this time, for similar gains.
Source: Videocardz
, HardwareLuxx
21