Why Correct Thermal Pads are Crucial for Your EVGA RTX 3090 XC3 ULTRA
Thermal pads are indispensable for your graphics card's cooling system. They bridge the microscopic air gaps between heat-generating components—such as the GDDR6X VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) chips on both the front and back of the PCB, and the VRMs (Voltage Regulator Modules)—and the card's heatsink and backplate assembly. This direct contact ensures efficient heat transfer, preventing these sensitive components from overheating under load.
Using old, deteriorated, or incorrectly sized/thicknessed thermal pads on a card of this caliber can lead to significant problems:
- Increased Operating Temperatures: This can easily trigger thermal throttling, where the GPU intentionally reduces its clock speeds to prevent heat damage, thereby diminishing its exceptional performance.
- Reduced Performance and Stability: You might experience lower frame rates, system crashes, or visual artifacts during demanding gaming sessions or intensive creative workloads, often linked to VRAM or VRM overheating.
- Shortened GPU Lifespan: Prolonged exposure to excessive heat can accelerate the wear and tear on electronic components, potentially reducing the overall lifespan of your flagship graphics card.
Replacing thermal pads with new, high-quality ones of the correct thicknesses is an important maintenance step to keep your EVGA RTX 3090 XC3 ULTRA GAMING performing at its best.
Recommended Thermal Pad Thicknesses for EVGA GeForce RTX 3090 XC3 ULTRA GAMING 24GB
For the EVGA GeForce RTX 3090 XC3 ULTRA GAMING 24GB, there are specific thickness claims for different components, with some slight variations noted:
VRAM (Front Side of PCB):
- Support Claim: Information from support suggests 2.25mm thick pads for the front VRAM ("Memory").
- Commonly Used & Sheet Recommendation: Many users report that 2mm thick pads also work well, and the general purchasing advice points to an 85mm x 45mm x 2mm sheet for the front VRAM.
- Recommendation: If you can source high-quality, slightly compressible 2.25mm pads, that would align with the support claim. Otherwise, a good quality 2mm pad (as per the sheet recommendation) is a widely accepted alternative. You will need to cut individual pads for each VRAM module from your chosen sheet.
VRAM (Back Side of PCB - Under Backplate):
- Required Thickness: Both support claims and common usage point to 2mm thick thermal pads.
- Required Sheet: It is recommended to use one (1) sheet of 85mm x 45mm x 2mm thermal pad material for the VRAM modules on the back of the PCB. Individual pads will need to be measured and cut from this sheet.
VRMs (Voltage Regulator Modules):
- Required Thickness: Support claims indicate a specific 2.85mm thickness for the VRM thermal pads.
- Addressing 2.85mm: This is a very precise and uncommon thickness.
- Ideally, source pads as close to 2.85mm as possible.
- If an exact 2.85mm pad is unavailable, a high-quality, sufficiently soft and compressible 3mm thermal pad is often used as a substitute, as it can typically compress to fill the gap correctly. Using a 2.5mm pad might be too thin unless it's a very soft variety and the gap is closer to that.
- Avoid stacking multiple thin pads to achieve this thickness if possible, as it can reduce thermal efficiency. A single pad of the closest appropriate thickness (like a soft 3mm) is preferred.
- No specific sheet size is mentioned for VRMs, so you will need to estimate the amount of 2.85mm (or alternative 3mm) material needed after measuring the VRM components.
Important Note on Specific Pad Dimensions (Length x Width): Specific length and width dimensions for each individual pad on the EVGA RTX 3090 XC3 ULTRA are not provided. Therefore, users will need to meticulously measure all components that require thermal pads (VRAMs on front and back, and all VRM sections) on their specific card during disassembly. This will allow you to determine the exact length and width to cut from your chosen thermal pad sheets of the appropriate thicknesses.
Why Choose Fehonda Thermal Pads?
When undertaking a thermal pad replacement for a high-power card like the EVGA RTX 3090 XC3 ULTRA, especially with specific or unusual thickness requirements, the quality of the thermal pad material is crucial. Fehonda thermal pads are a recommended option:
- Premium Quality: Fehonda utilizes high-grade materials ensuring excellent thermal conductivity and durability.
- Enhanced Cooling: Engineered to optimize heat transfer, helping to lower component temperatures effectively.
- Expertise: Fehonda specializes in thermal interface solutions.
- Versatile Solutions: Offering thermal pads in various thicknesses and sheet sizes allows flexibility for custom-cutting.
Tips for Replacing Your GPU Thermal Pads (EVGA RTX 3090 XC3 ULTRA)
Replacing GPU thermal pads on a card like this requires precision, care, and patience. If you are not experienced with GPU disassembly, consider seeking professional assistance or meticulously following detailed video guides for your specific model.
- Preparation: Gather tools: Fehonda thermal pad sheets (e.g., 2mm, and material for 2.25mm front VRAM like soft 2.5mm or specific 2.25mm if available, and 3mm for VRM alternative), precision screwdrivers, sharp craft knife/scissors, ruler/calipers, non-metallic prying tools, isopropyl alcohol (90%+), lint-free cloths, and an anti-static wrist strap.
- Disassembly & Identification/Measurement: Carefully disassemble your graphics card.
- Front VRAM: Assess the gap. If possible, measure the original pads. Decide between 2mm and 2.25mm (or a soft 2.5mm if 2.25mm is unavailable). Measure L x W.
- Back VRAM: Measure L x W for cutting from your 2mm sheet.
- VRMs: Carefully measure the L x W of all VRM components. Assess the gap for the 2.85mm requirement. Plan to use a soft 3mm pad if exact 2.85mm pads are not available.
- Remove Old Pads & Clean: Gently remove all old thermal pad material. Thoroughly clean component surfaces and heatsink contact points with isopropyl alcohol. Ensure complete dryness.
- Cut and Apply New Pads: Precisely cut new pads from the correct thickness sheets based on YOUR measurements and thickness decisions. Apply carefully after removing protective films.
- Reapply GPU Thermal Paste: Clean the GPU die and apply fresh, high-quality thermal paste.
- Reassembly: Carefully reassemble, ensuring even pressure. Do not overtighten screws.
- Testing: Install and monitor temperatures (especially VRAM and VRM if your software can read them) under load to verify success.
Where to Purchase Fehonda Thermal Pads
For high-quality Fehonda thermal pad sheets suitable for your EVGA GeForce RTX 3090 XC3 ULTRA GAMING 24GB, check online marketplaces like AliExpress:
FEHONDA Thermal Pad ===>>Click Here to Go to AliExpress and Buy Directly Now
Ensure you purchase sheets of:
- 2mm thickness (e.g., two 85x45x2mm sheets for front VRAM alternative and back VRAM).
- Consider a 2.5mm sheet if aiming for the 2.25mm front VRAM spec with a slightly compressible pad.
- 3mm thickness (for the VRMs, as a compressible alternative to 2.85mm). Purchase from a reputable seller.
Conclusion: Maintain Your EVGA RTX 3090 XC3 ULTRA's Peak Performance
Proper thermal pad replacement for VRAM and VRMs is critical for the EVGA GeForce RTX 3090 XC3 ULTRA GAMING 24GB to deliver its immense power reliably. By using high-quality Fehonda thermal pads of the carefully chosen thicknesses (2mm or 2.25mm for front VRAM; 2mm for back VRAM; and 2.85mm or a soft 3mm for VRMs) and meticulously measuring and cutting each piece, you can ensure optimal heat dissipation. This leads to a cooler, more stable, and longer-lasting graphics card for your most demanding tasks.
