Why Correct Thermal Pads are Crucial for Your EVGA RTX 2080 Ti FTW3 Ultra
Thermal pads are critical components within your graphics card's cooling system. They serve as a thermal interface, bridging microscopic air gaps between heat-generating components—such as VRAM chips, VRMs (Voltage Regulator Modules), and various PCB components—and the heatsink assembly (including the main cooler and backplate). Efficient heat transfer away from these sensitive areas is paramount to prevent overheating.
Over time, factory-installed thermal pads can degrade, dry out, lose their thermal conductivity, or become overly compressed, diminishing their cooling effectiveness. Using incorrect sizes or worn-out pads can lead to severe issues:
- Component Overheating: Critical parts of your GPU can exceed their safe operating temperatures, leading to instability, visual artifacts, or even permanent damage.
- Performance Throttling: To protect itself from heat damage, your GPU will automatically reduce its clock speeds (thermal throttle), resulting in significant drops in frame rates and a compromised user experience.
- Reduced GPU Lifespan: Continuous exposure to elevated temperatures can accelerate the degradation of components, shortening the overall life of your valuable graphics card.
Replacing old or inadequate thermal pads with new ones of the correct dimensions and high quality is a vital maintenance step for any EVGA RTX 2080 Ti FTW3 Ultra owner aiming for peak performance and longevity.
Accurate Thermal Pad Sizes for EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti FTW3 Ultra (11G-P4-2487-KR)
For optimal thermal contact and efficient heat dissipation on your EVGA RTX 2080 Ti FTW3 Ultra, using precisely dimensioned thermal pads is non-negotiable. This specific model requires a meticulous application of 1mm and 2mm thick thermal pads in various locations, with dimensions specified in inches.
Detailed Thermal Pad Dimensions and Thicknesses:
Here are the specific dimensions needed for your GPU, as detailed for model 11G-P4-2487-KR:
1. Top of the PCB front plate with thermal pads touching GPU cooler: * 7/8" by 2 3/4" - 1mm Thermal Pad * 1/2" by 4 1/2" - 1mm Thermal Pad (This pad is located on the top of the VRM sandwich.)
2. Back of the PCB front plate: * 3/8" by 4 1/2" - 2mm Thermal Pad (For some small chips beside R22 chips.) * 9/16" by 2 1/4" - 2mm Thermal Pad (Requires THREE of these pieces for VRAM.) * 1/4" by 1/4" - 2mm Thermal Pad (For one specific chip.)
3. PCB (Printed Circuit Board): * 5/16" by 4 1/8" - 1mm Thermal Pad (For a column of small chips.) * 1/2" by 4 1/8" - 1mm Thermal Pad (This pad replaces the stock thermal paste often found above the VRM.)
4. Backplate: * 7/8" by 4 1/4" - 2mm Thermal Pad (For VRM area on the backplate.) * 3/8" by 1 7/8" - 2mm Thermal Pad (Requires THREE of these pieces for VRAM on the backplate.) * 1 3/8" by 1 3/8" - 2mm Thermal Pad (For the area behind the GPU die on the backplate.)
Important Purchasing Note: You will likely need to purchase sheets of both 1mm and 2mm thick thermal pads (e.g., Fehonda 85x45mm or larger sheets) and carefully cut them to the imperial (inch) dimensions listed above. Ensure you have enough material for all specified pieces, especially where multiple identical pieces are required.
Why Choose Fehonda Thermal Pads for Your GPU Upgrade?
When selecting replacement thermal pads for a high-end card like the EVGA RTX 2080 Ti FTW3 Ultra, quality is paramount. Fehonda thermal pads are a highly recommended choice due to their recognized benefits:
- Premium Quality: Fehonda pads are manufactured from high-grade silicone materials, ensuring excellent thermal conductivity and durability for sustained, effective cooling performance.
- Enhanced Cooling: Specifically designed to optimize heat transfer, these pads help significantly lower the operating temperatures of your VRAM, VRMs, and other critical components.
- Expertise: Fehonda specializes in thermal solutions, meaning their products are developed with a deep understanding of the demanding cooling requirements of high-performance GPUs.
- Versatile Solutions: They offer a range of pad thicknesses and sheet sizes, ensuring you can procure the necessary materials for a precise fit according to the detailed specifications.
Investing in quality pads like those from Fehonda is an investment in the continued health and peak performance of your graphics card.
Tips for Replacing Your GPU Thermal Pads
Replacing GPU thermal pads is a delicate operation that requires patience, precision, and care. If you are not comfortable disassembling your graphics card, it is strongly advisable to seek professional help from an experienced technician. If you decide to proceed yourself:
- Prepare Your Workspace and Tools: You will need precision screwdrivers, your new Fehonda thermal pads (1mm and 2mm thicknesses), high-purity isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher) for cleaning, lint-free cloths or swabs, and potentially non-metallic prying tools. An anti-static wrist strap is crucial.
- Safety First: Work in a clean, well-lit, and static-free environment. Ground yourself before handling any sensitive electronic components to prevent electrostatic discharge damage.
- Consult a Specific Disassembly Guide: Search for a detailed disassembly video or step-by-step guide for your exact EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti FTW3 Ultra model. Cooler designs and screw placements can be intricate. Taking photos during disassembly is highly recommended for reference during reassembly.
- Handle Components Meticulously: Keep careful track of all screws, noting their sizes and original locations. Some screws may be different lengths.
- Thorough Cleaning: Once disassembled, carefully remove all old thermal pads. Meticulously clean any residue from the chips (VRAM, VRMs, etc.) and the heatsink/backplate contact points using isopropyl alcohol. Ensure all surfaces are perfectly clean and dry before applying new pads. If you're also re-applying thermal paste to the GPU die, clean that surface as well.
- Cut and Apply New Pads: Precisely cut your new Fehonda thermal pads to the imperial dimensions (e.g., 7/8" by 2 3/4") specified above, using the correct thickness (1mm or 2mm) for each location. Remove the protective film from one side of the pad, apply it to the component, then remove the film from the other side just before reattaching the heatsink or backplate.
- Reassemble with Care: Ensure all components are correctly aligned. Remount the heatsink and backplate with even pressure, typically tightening screws in a crisscross pattern where applicable, but do not overtighten, as this can damage the PCB or components.
Disclaimer: Disassembling your graphics card will likely void its warranty and carries an inherent risk of damaging components if not performed correctly. Proceed entirely at your own risk.
Where to Purchase Fehonda Thermal Pads
For genuine, high-quality Fehonda thermal pads suitable for the intricate requirements of your EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti FTW3 Ultra, online marketplaces like AliExpress are a common and accessible source.
>> FEHONDA Thermal Pad ===>>Click Here to Go to AliExpress and Buy Directly Now<<
Always ensure you are purchasing from reputable sellers. Double-check that you are ordering both 1mm and 2mm thickness pads in sufficient quantity to cover all the dimensions listed.
Conclusion: Preserve and Enhance Your EVGA RTX 2080 Ti FTW3 Ultra's Performance
Maintaining optimal operating temperatures is absolutely fundamental for achieving the best performance and ensuring the long-term reliability of your EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti FTW3 Ultra. By meticulously replacing the stock thermal pads with correctly sized (as per the detailed inch dimensions and 1mm/2mm thicknesses) and high-quality replacement pads, such as those offered by Fehonda, you can significantly enhance your GPU's cooling efficiency, prevent performance degradation due to thermal throttling, and enjoy a consistently smoother and more dependable high-end computing experience.
