since November 2020, having this problem for only a few months but now that i checked the date, the thermal pad thing makes more sense i mean it's been 3.5 yearshow long have you had this card?
yeah this is exactly what happenswhen they start reaching their top speeds the temperature can shoot up quickly, but it may take some time before the default thermal throttling and/or any crashing occurs.
i'll try this in the morningone good way to test for insufficient airflow is to remove the side panel and set a portable fan blowing right into the side of the case.
if temperatures are drastically different then you know it's the lack of airflow in the case.