Question GPU idles fine, but throttles under load after repasting.

[kongkodeu]

Hey everyone, I recently repasted my Titan RTX and now it throttles instantly with GPU temperature and hotspot skyrocketing from an idle temperature of 32/48C to 87/107C in furmark within a span of 4 seconds, the fan speed also ramps up to 100% under the same operating condition as before. For thermal paste, I used kyronaut.

Things I did/attempted
*Ensured all screws are tightened as much as possible
*Covered all parts of die with thermal paste
*Replaced thermal pads
*Running it with the side panel removed

What are some other things that I could try to solve this issue?

 

[Phaaze88]

Examine the paste application. Kryonaut is more likely to incur runoff on bare die applications due to its lower viscosity compared to some other pastes.

What are some other things that I could try to solve this issue?

Once you've removed the gpu cooler, take and post picture of the PCB, that the die and surrounding memory are visible.
[You must go through an image hosting site to post pics here.]
It should be easier to narrow down what's up after that.

If I had to guess though, the pads are probably too hard, or perhaps too thick, and the die isn't even making contact with the gpu cooler.

 

[stonecarver]

Things that come to mind, Maybe you didn't get heatsink just right or maybe even backwards. I can happen.
To much thermal paste.

Screws TOO tight and did you use a cross pattern while tightening.

Thermal pads too thick.

Is the fan plugged in.

 

[kongkodeu]

Heatsink only goes in one way, so that's likely not it. I did put a lot of thermal paste, but that should be fine according to a video by Gamer Nexus.

As for screws, I tried backing off one turn, and the idle temperatures increase but other factors remained the same, it is tightened using the cross pattern.

I used 1.0 mm thermal pads which are the same thickness as the original, it's also the same one that NorthWest Repair used in one of his videos where he repaired a Titan RTX. The issue also persists with the original thermal pads in place,, after replacing the thermal paste.

Fans are plugged in and going full blast like a jet engine under load.

 

[stonecarver]

Sometimes it just takes starting over, going slow on the repasting/ rebuild and the second time around It just works. We have all been there.

 

[kongkodeu]

Examine the paste application. Kryonaut is more likely to incur runoff on bare die applications due to its lower viscosity compared to some other pastes.


Once you've removed the gpu cooler, take and post picture of the PCB, that the die and surrounding memory are visible.
[You must go through an image hosting site to post pics here.]
It should be easier to narrow down what's up after that.

If I had to guess though, the pads are probably too hard, or perhaps too thick, and the die isn't even making contact with the gpu cooler.

Pictures of the PCB and cooler:

Quick Share

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I also used the Corsair xtm50 thermal paste in a separate attempt just to see if the Kyronaut is somewhat an issue, but the result remains the same.

 

[Phaaze88]

I used 1.0 mm thermal pads which are the same thickness as the original, it's also the same one that NorthWest Repair used in one of his videos where he repaired a Titan RTX. The issue also persists with the original thermal pads in place,, after replacing the thermal paste.

If it's a failure even with the original pads back on, then @stonecarver is on track, and something isn't being done right at the reassembly stage, such as the screws needing to go down in a certain order, for example.
I don't suppose NorthWest Repair demonstrated that?

 

[kongkodeu]

If it's a failure even with the original pads back on, then @stonecarver is on track, and something isn't being done right at the reassembly stage, such as the screws needing to go down in a certain order, for example.
I don't suppose NorthWest Repair demonstrated that?

That's what I'm suspecting too, I tried looking up videos for a full assembly video online, but can't find any.

The 4 hex screws closest to the die and the 4 mounting screws are likely the culprit, would be great if I can find a video for it.

 

[hotaru.hino]

I did put a lot of thermal paste, but that should be fine according to a video by Gamer Nexus.

The problem isn't the application, the problem is that Kryonaut is designed for basically phase-change and LN2 cooling, hence its name. While it performs fine outside of that, it has two problems: it's a lower viscosity paste which means it pumps out more readily and it degrades when temperatures are higher than 80C. I'm also concerned about the reliability over time because I had to repaste my CPU after using Kryonaut after about a year and my CPU almost never goes above 65C. I presume it pumped out because there was lot of paste on one side, but that could've been from when I applied it the first time).

For bare die applications, I'd suggest either Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut or Arctic MX-4. Or if you're feeling adventurous, there's always liquid metal.

 

[kongkodeu]

The problem isn't the application, the problem is that Kryonaut is designed for basically phase-change and LN2 cooling, hence its name. While it performs fine outside of that, it has two problems: it's a lower viscosity paste which means it pumps out more readily and it degrades when temperatures are higher than 80C. I'm also concerned about the reliability over time because I had to repaste my CPU after using Kryonaut after about a year and my CPU almost never goes above 65C. I presume it pumped out because there was lot of paste on one side, but that could've been from when I applied it the first time).

For bare die applications, I'd suggest either Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut or Arctic MX-4. Or if you're feeling adventurous, there's always liquid metal.

Definitely not going liquid metal, I created a mess on thermal paste alone, haha. What about Corsair XTM50? I used that and same result, will probably grab an MX-4 from Amazon since everyone seems to talk positively about it.