Are You Repasting Your GPU Correctly? - Testing Paste Applications (Thin, X, Line, Dot)

It seems like no one can agree on how thermal paste should be applied, especially on graphics cards. So I set out to try 4 of the most common patterns that people recommend and see what works best.
#bestgputhermalpaste #gpu #thermalpaste #pcbuilding
Buy These Pastes:
► Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut - amzn.to/3sk9oCJ
► Arctic MX-4 - amzn.to/39MC4hn
Raw Data:
► docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
SSD Shootout Video:
► • Finding The Best Sub-$...
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Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:32 Improvements over previous video
1:30 Test setup
2:15 The testing
3:42 Results
6:41 Outro
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Music (in order):
"CRENSHAW VIBES" - GARRISON ( / garrison-brown )
"Sunshower" - LATASHÁ( / best-music-pro.. )
"VULF JAMS" - GARRISON
"If You Want To" - Me
"Hardware Haven Theme" - Me ( • Hardware Haven Theme M... )

[@thesilverydragon]

Good to know that, as long as you apply enough of it, the specific method doesn't really matter. As for what might give better performance... I mean... I suppose liquid metal would the only comparable thing that could give you better heat transfer. But I don't think that'll really be worth it for most people. :P

[@AK474000]

I been around a while in the PC scene, I think a lot of this conversation has got muddled over time application was important when high end pastes tend to contain conductive materials. Overspill when you used those could kill your stuff. This is less of an issue today since high end pastes are within 1C of each other in performance and are also non-conductive making overspill not a problem. GPUs specifically are naked dies unlike CPUs today which have Integrated Heat Spreaders. It's less important to cover the entire CPU IHS so long as you paste the hot spots where the die is underneath it. GPUs therefore require full coverage since every inch of that surface will get hot. Also it's a requirement to use non-conductive pastes with GPUs as the general application recommendations will cause some overspill inevitably.

[@therealtsa5591]

Aye glad to see my new favourite channel show up again with another video

[@obsurdhotdog8442]

Great video! I think that this is quite a underrated channel for the amount of effort that goes into making these amazing videos. And one other thing, I have run into a bit of an interesting issue in your Discord server.

[@HardwareHaven]

Hey thanks! And what’s the issue?

[@MutasimAli-go7wt]

that what i really wanted to see thanks for your hard work

[@vanfly6731]

pretty awesome thank you for the video i always use the X pattern then remove the heat sink to see if paste covers it all then re-apply

[@NinjaISwill]

I think you did very well with your testing method here. As always, data is key for clearing up these myths. Nice work!

[@HardwareHaven]

Glad you think so! Hopefully it helps haha

[@r_owbot]

how was this 18 hrs ago?

[@MarcoGPUtuber]

@@r_owbot Probably a patreon patron.

[@CodahWasTaken]

Just found out the channel, amazing and underrated content!

[@HardwareHaven]

Thanks!

[@r_owbot]

woah verified!

[@alexandroskotrotsos3720]

Love your vids!You deserve a lot of subs!! :)

[@HardwareHaven]

Glad you like them!

[@MARKELL00F]

Awesome video , keep up the good work

[@var1ables854]

There was old article on an overclocking website that did like a dozen different application methods and did it over like a suite of 100 tests. It covered all your points but even through some more esoteric ones(spiral for bigger dies that some server manufacturers suggest, smiley face for the meme etc). The tests were consistent across make and model they tested. Ironically the smiley face did the best - but even that was written off as well within variance. long story short - doesn't matter. Its an argument for no reason.

[@valll39]

Ah! This is amazing, i was looking for a 1080 strix video and seeing a 1070 is perfect! Thank you man

[@nikshay6151]

Love to see you upload

[@vladislavkaras491]

Thanks for answering the question! :D

[@0neWhoKnocks]

Nice Vid Man!

[@Ilovebigsubs1737]

im going to try liking every vid you make

[@spreadthegamer]

HH we NEED a youtube release of your theme song. it sounds so good!

[@HardwareHaven]

Haha thanks. I'll try to do that at some point soon

[@JMassengill]

Nice testing method. I have that very gpu. Your video makes me want to look at the temps the gpu is putting out.

[@HardwareHaven]

Might not be a bad idea 👍🏻 Thanks for the comment as always

[@humANdroid95]

Good vid! Keep it up, improve methodology and tools, and make even better content. Presentation was fluid and quite informative, thanks!

[@HardwareHaven]

Plan to, thanks!

[@mleise8292]

Pretty cool video even after 2 years. Can't believe you got the exact same temps 8 times over. Sapphire says to put 0.2 mm of thermal paste on their Pulse Vega 56 (~9 cm²). That would equate to 0.45 grams of MX-6 or 1/4 of a 2 g syringe.

[@goorthiss]

I recommend to try phase-change material Honeywell PTM7950. It comes as a sheet and you don't have to mess around with any applying dots, dashes or crosses. Just cut out a piece the size of the IHS/core and stick it on. Also don't have to worry about whether the paste is too little or too much - it will be just right. In addition, it lasts longer, performs works better than traditional pastes and there is no pump-out effect.

[@ProjectPhysX]

Only danger is to use too little with the dot application, like way less than a pea-sized amount. When spreading, the paste might not reach the corners. So better use a bit too much than too little :)

[@HardwareHaven]

For sure! I don't know why people are so inclined to over-complicate things haha

[@turuutmx6128]

The most important thing is the kind of paste. MX-4 is a good paste for CPU with an integrated heat spreader but it's a horrible choice for GPU which has an naked die. It will work for 2-3 months but eventually it will pump out because it's a very liquidy paste. For a GPU you need a very viscous paste that is more like a clay. Good examples of GPU pastes would be DowsilTC-5026, TC-5688, Shin-Etsu X7921, Prolimatech PK-3, IC diamond 24. Bad choices would be TG Kryonaut, MX-4 and 5, Noctua NT-H1 and 2 are all very liquidy and doesn't dry out but has trouble sticking to the naked die surface and Arctic Silver 5 because of its mostly oil properties which dries way too quickly. Quantity, Application method doesn't matter that much as long it's full coverage than it's good enough.

[@heroicsquirrel3195]

What’s the best for gpu repaste, I was about to use noctua but you said it’s bad?

[@MerolaC]

@@heroicsquirrel3195 While Turuu recomends some good ones, you can also go with these: Honeywell PTM7950 (it comes like A thermal pad, but, in fact, it's a paste that changes consistency at around 40°C and becomes like a a past. This is in layman therms) Another good one for die application is Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut (recommened by der8uer himself) Another good one is Gelid GC Extreme. I've used these in the past for my job (IT) on Laptops, my own graphics cards, etc.

[@sageosaka]

I personally like the idea of the thin spread method but from what I hear, theoretically, you could introduce tiny bubbles into the application doing it that way and in doing so, add a small layer of insulation between the die and the paste. But this is just heresay and I've not done enough testing (or have done an application poorly enough) to run into this issue myself.

[@adamadkins7489]

I always do an X and have had 100% coverage on tge heat spreader when I've removed the cooler. Honestly, its really weird people gets so animated about this issue. I've seen nasty fights in comments of pc groups over thermal paste applications. On a gpu I just do a grain of rice blob in the middle.

[@OkiemElektroniki]

After working with so many different GPU models over the years, I came to a conclusion that using spread method can be very questionable with some coolers. To sum it up - Dot method is great for small dies. X for larger ones. X with tiny dots between lines for really big dies/IHS. I never spread because of accidents when coolers did not made perfect contact with die (which resulted in GPU extremely overheating).

[@djrockzz1163]

Bro we want that background music! We love it❤

[@HardwareHaven]

haha thanks. The theme is on soundcloud at least

[@djrockzz1163]

I listen it daily..

[@nathanfeyereisen1716]

i got the notification, i was so happy !

[@kyleallred984]

Another great video with very thorough testing. It's sad though that we have to deal with people who seem to exist just to argue.

[@HardwareHaven]

Thanks! And yeah it's strange. I think people just try to find ways to feel smarter lol

[@kyleallred984]

@@HardwareHaven IMHO the best way to prove intelligence is to admit error and learn. Trying to prove a point just indicates to me they have a lot of growth.

[@HardwareHaven]

This 👆🏻

[@elgoblinooo]

Good quality thermal paste and airflow in case is more important than the pattern itself.

[@CyberClu]

I've seen Brian on Tech Yes City, just spread a thin layer around, as it comes out of the tube. Making sure to cover the entire area. And he's been selling hundreds of gaming PC's for years.

[@tunnandaaung2]

Wow I already thought dot is the best too btw i wana make hardware video like u and mryeester but i still in high school I don't have that much money to buy so what should ido? Saving up to buy the pc part i need or jut wait to grow up and get a job and start when I grow?

[@HardwareHaven]

I think really just whatever you want and are able to do. I would start trying to make videos now with whatever you have or can find. It will force you to be creative with it and also see if it's something you actually enjoy doing. That's my advice at least

[@tunnandaaung2]

@@HardwareHaven i actually wana do but u know haha i lazy and don't have much budget -_- but fine i gonna try anyway

[@Cooper3312000]

I use dot method on CPU with heat spreader and always use even spread on GPU bare die to know the entire die has coverage.

[@John117alon1]

Great Video! Never got the whole thermal paste debate, I think if it’s a good quality compound and covers the surface (even with overspill) it’s good enough.

[@HardwareHaven]

Yeah people seem to really want to over-complicate it haha

[@mangosfx]

hey I know that mangosfx dude Otr though, absolutely love the video! Super glad it found a use :]

[@HardwareHaven]

Hahaha same. It might get featured even more at some point

[@WillFuI]

I like the lust s big old dot on as long as my paste doesn’t conduct

[@AndehX]

I would have thought if all methods produce the same results, then the dot method would be best as its the easiest.

[@vedantagrawal9530]

This was a pretty good follow up to your short. Again, learnt something new and had fun. Now, how much thermal paste do you recommend people apply on their food?

[@HardwareHaven]

I would say that's more of a personal preference, but you want to make sure and avoid air bubbles. I've heard rumors that you can die from that

[@TheMaxAwesome]

Penny wise, pound foolish. Just apply a thin uniform layer. It’s the reason they all include the little spatula these days. The paste is non-conductive (unless you’re using liquid metal), so a little over the edge of the die won’t hurt anything.

[@phoneguy2005]

question, what are the specs of your main computer?

[@HardwareHaven]

i7 9700 GIGABYTE Z390 M GAMING-CF 16GB DDR4 RTX 2060

[@thebigsnorlax3222]

petty good

[@Phyxsius_85]

People think too much about unnecessary things, such as how to apply thermal paste. Dot + good pressure and no problem

[@filenotfound__3871]

I fear no thermal paste pattern, but that GIGABYTE power supply in the background, it scares me.

[@HardwareHaven]

It would scare me too if it was one of the models affected by the issue brought to light by Gamers Nexus

[@filenotfound__3871]

@@HardwareHaven But the fact that they missed overcurrent protection fault is scary, it is usually the most thoroughly tested protection feature

[@HardwareHaven]

Yeah that was a complete blunder. To be clear, I really don’t care for gigabyte as a company, but that’s not gonna stop me from using a solid power supply that I got for a good deal from a friend if that makes sense haha

[@filenotfound__3871]

@@HardwareHaven I fully understand, I have a gigabyte motherboard and their SSD in my main system, I have nothing against their products, in fact they will probably now make sure something this stup1d never happens again and make some great power supplies to make up it

[@filenotfound__3871]

@@HardwareHaven was it a good deal because the original owner was afraid of it?

[@Sain995]

the topic of applying thermal paste is a super controversial topic on KZbin but it has shown that the people who give it controversy really do not have much knowledge (excuse my English, it is translated hehe)

[@Mitholman73]

this is normal, it's because you didn't put the fan in manual mod. a graphics card by default will alway want very low speed for its fans

[@shanksisnoteventhatstrongbruh]

sadly the best way to test this is with a GPU that reports HOTSPOT temps (like a 5700 XT), edge temps or regular gpu temps don't display the temp of the hottest part of the gpu die :(

[@HardwareHaven]

That probably would be helpful. I'm not sure though how much of a difference there would be with consistent mounting pressure and enough paste to cover the entire surface of the die. Do you have a link or anything to a similar test that uses hotspot monitoring? I'd be curious to see.

[@shanksisnoteventhatstrongbruh]

@@HardwareHaven sadly no video, this is a topic i discussed with others on discord a few months ago and tested myself (when i repasted my 5700 XT Red Devil). The "thin" method dropped my GPU hotspot temps from 110ºC to 98ºC compared to the dot method and i made sure mounting pressure was extremely consistent, the "edge" or "regular" gpu temp was just 1ºC better (this is all with a 60% gpu fans speed with a 190W PL, running unigine superposition max everything for 2 hours).

[@HardwareHaven]

Were ambient temps taken into account?

[@shanksisnoteventhatstrongbruh]

@@HardwareHaven i don't have a way of testing ambient temps but it was tested on the same day in the same hot room but no way a mild shift in ambient temp (it all felt the same to me) would account to a 12ºC drop on Hotspot temps. I wish i had taken pictures of the paste patterns after application but the dot method while it can spread across the die the corners did not have much paste applied on them but i used a thermal paste that isn't very liquidy so idk if that is the main reason the corners lacked enough paste (the dot was small like a rice grain since that i what i kept hearing was usually done but noctua recommends a pea sized blob). I did not test any other methods since i was happy with the temp drop with the "spread" method.

[@HardwareHaven]

Gotcha! It’s cool that you did that and got some lower temps. I’m getting tired of doing thermal paste content, but if I ever come back to it I’ll try to bring hotspot measurements into consideration. I imagine for most users it’s really not as big of an issue. There will most likely be an improvement if the paste hasn’t been changed in a while, and at most the GPU might slightly throttle a bit sooner if one hotspot sensor is getting too hot.

[@KokoroKatsura]

try furmark

[@edbeagle7929]

Could you do some console killer builds now that gpus do not cost a kidney

[@HardwareHaven]

Maybe.. I definitely plan to do more GPU content with prices coming down, but it might not necessarily all be gaming stuff. I also don’t have any “modern” consoles to compare to haha

[@edbeagle7929]

@@HardwareHaven I love used part content meta builds and diy fixes that can be cheap like an office PC turned gamings PC or 1st gen Ryzen with a 1650 or entry level machine you do not need newest and coolest to enjoy gaming

[@Lazo222]

Hello, can I please send you a picture of my paste application on gpu, just to make sure it is alright? Do you have gmail or anything?

[@HardwareHaven]

I have an email in the “about” section, but I’m sure it’s fine 👍🏻

[@Lazo222]

​@@HardwareHavenAppreciate the answer. I will send a pic on hardware haven discord server just to be sure :)

[@xthe_moonx]

so ur saying i dont need to go buy a thermal paste spatula? lol

[@ashscott6068]

The best paste for a CPU, isn't the best paste for a GPU. The better ones are optimised for a lower temperature range. They dry out and crack at GPU temps.

[@muhammadazkanaufal8695]

5 dot team here

[@lil_per_vert]

just apply the dot

[@MarcoGPUtuber]

That's why I use mayonnaise instead. No more controversy! Now everyone is united in their opinions!

[@HardwareHaven]

Genius

[@r_owbot]

earlyy

[@PROMAN8625]

10th