Question EVGA FTW3 1080ti: I found some kind of substance/oil on my backplate. I need your help pros!

Crom808

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Feb 9, 2017
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My PC Specs: Intell 7700k//Kraken X62 AIO//EVGA 1080ti FTW3//Corsair 16gb 3000 ram sticks x2//ROG MAXIMUS IX HERO//960 nvme EVO SSD 256gb//EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G3 Powersupply.


Hello everyone!


So yesterday I noticed there was some substance/oil/liquid spots on the GPU backplate. I thought my Kraken AIO may have been leaking so I took out the side panel to take a closer look. And when I looked it at, the spots weren't where the AIO would be leaking from. I checked and touched around the AIO and tubing and it was dry and still dusty. My temps and fan/pump speeds where fine. I touched the backplate where the spots where and there wasn't any dust, and it seemed dry. You could just see the spots visible because of the dust on the backplate. I also saw a small dead insect inside and initially thought it was it who made those wet spots, but I posted on another thread and we figured out that it wasn't the insect as it was so tiny. There was extra dust that fell off the case fan on top when I touched it fyi. Here is some screenshots:

View: https://imgur.com/ibcj12f


View: https://imgur.com/ibcj12f


View: https://imgur.com/V0ndNsB


View: https://imgur.com/ta7JZNZ


View: https://imgur.com/dlLadnS
Here you can see the bug

View: https://imgur.com/smHmEqq
my temps while watching a few steams + youtube videos



So someone earlier on another thread said the substance: "It's only close to some seams, vent slots and screw access holes (just an observation) - it's oil from the thermal paste or gap pad filler."

And another said: "It looks like condensation to me, as the dust on your fan looks soggy as well, dust doesn't form big particles like that unless it's humid, I'm really not sure though."


Do you guys think they might be right? Here is a side to side comparison of a youtube video where Gamer Nexus takes off the backplate, and if you compare picture #1 I posted, the oil/substance spots are near where the thermal pads are located.


View: https://imgur.com/vEZHzTF




I have a few question for you guys. I again appreciate all of you for reading my wall of text here. Keep in mind that I live in tropical weather so we don't need air-conditioning/heating. But during winter weather in the months of Jan-April, it gets cold. It's been really cold the past two weeks especially at night where the temps have been between 63-71 degrees F (the norm at night is 80-87). I dont know if this is a contributing factor to anything. Also my room is small at about 18ft x 18 ft:


1. What do you think this substance is?

2. Do you think it did any damage to my GPU or my system in general? (My system is running just fine atm and no funny smells even up close when I opened it up)

3. If there was a short circuit or electrical failure, would my modem or ethernet cables be damaged also? (My system is running just fine atm)

4. Should I clean the substance or whatever it is? If so can I use a Qtip with alcohol? Or should I take the backplate apart and scrub the backplate with anti bacterial soap and wipe it off with alcohol? I'd let it try for a couple hours ofc

5. OCD question here, I'm sorry: Could the substance be toxic? I assume the backplate is hot and whatever was on it already evaporated? If its oil from the thermal pads, I should fine? Do I really need to clean it?

6. Is there a trick to removing the back plate once the screws are all out? I saw ppl on youtube struggling to pull the back plate off. It seems really stuck together maybe from the heat and thermal pad.


Again thank you very much for any help you can give me!
 
Last edited:

gmagdna

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Jul 16, 2018
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You’ve posted this same issue in two forums of this site. I’ve already answered your questions and concerns. My explanation of the substance is correct, and my assurances are absolute there is no harm to come from it. Questions asked and answered. Don’t have more people chasing this.

to further support my comments I put even more effort into helping you feel comfortable and found this thread on another forum from 2014
https://forums.evga.com/m/tm.aspx?m=2732177&p=1

which is Clearly the same issue. So as I stated in your other post, this issue has been around for a long time. You can get some sleep.
 
Last edited:

Crom808

Honorable
Feb 9, 2017
105
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Also I forgot to mention that I always leave the computer on. I never turn it off. I'm not sure this is relevant information.

Sorry about reposting @gmagdna I thought that the title wasn't appropriate for the problem now since we figured out it wasn't the insect/bug, and maybe people wouldn't click on it. If I redid the post on the GPU section with updated questions. I thought I would get a more ppl and have a discussion about it. I apologize.

Some told me to remove the backplate, and if I feel oil from the thermal pads that I should replace it? Because it can get unstable? And also wipe the backplate down with isopropyl. What do you think about this?

I read what you linked me. Thank you for that. It was very insightful. If you say its not toxic and it won't cause any issue for my system then I would just wipe down the spots on top of the backplate with a cotton ball and alcohol and be done with it instead of taking the backplate apart. I apologize if I repeated myself from before, I'm just like that lol Thank you again

I just have a few more quick questions:

1. What kind of alcohol should I use again? I used it before to reapply thermal paste for me CPU but I forgot. And I just wipe down the backplate and not the PCB/Circuit board right?

2. How long is the warranty for GPUs? I bought this back in late 2017 I believe

3. If I did or had to replace the old thermal pads in the future, which ones would I need to get?



Thanks
 
Last edited:

gmagdna

Prominent
Jul 16, 2018
127
15
595
#1 preferably 99% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) if you can get it. Lower percentages just take longer to dry (not a lot longer) and don't remove the residue as easily

#2 I think 3 years but you can look that up

#3 can't help you there but I doubt it'll be an issue