GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce RTX 3090 XTREME 24G: VRAM Thermal Pad Guide (2mm Front, 2.5/3mm Back)

Why Correct Thermal Pads are Crucial for Your AORUS RTX 3090 XTREME

Thermal pads are vital for conducting heat away from the densely packed GDDR6X VRAM modules on your RTX 3090 XTREME. These high-speed memory chips generate substantial heat, especially during prolonged, heavy usage. Efficient heat transfer from the VRAM to the card's sophisticated heatsink and robust backplate is essential to prevent overheating and ensure optimal, stable performance.

Using old, deteriorated, or incorrectly sized/thicknessed thermal pads can lead to severe issues on such a high-power card:

• Elevated VRAM Temperatures: GDDR6X memory is notoriously hot. Inadequate padding can lead to extreme VRAM junction temperatures, causing instability, visual artifacts, reduced memory performance, and potentially shorten the lifespan of the VRAM modules.
• Performance Throttling: If VRAM overheats, the GPU may reduce its overall performance to compensate, negating the "XTREME" capabilities of your card.
• Overall System Instability: Overheating components, particularly VRAM on an RTX 3090, can contribute to broader system instability and crashes.

Replacing VRAM thermal pads with new, high-quality ones of the correct thicknesses is an important maintenance step to keep your AORUS RTX 3090 XTREME performing at its absolute best.

Recommended VRAM Thermal Pad Sheets & Thicknesses for GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce RTX 3090 XTREME 24G

The provided information specifies the thermal pad requirements for the VRAM modules on both the front and back of the PCB for the GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce RTX 3090 XTREME 24G.

VRAM (Front Side of PCB):

• Required Sheet & Thickness: 2mm fits well on the front side of the VRAMs.
  • It is recommended to use one (1) sheet of 85mm x 45mm x 2mm thermal pad material. Individual pads for all VRAM modules on the front will need to be carefully measured and cut from this 2mm thick sheet.

VRAM (Back Side of PCB - Under Backplate):

• Required Sheet & Thickness Options: For the back VRAM, there are a couple of effective options:
  • Ideal Size: Probably 2.5mm would be the ideal thickness. You would use one (1) sheet of 85mm x 45mm x 2.5mm thermal pad material.
  • Alternative that Works Well: 3mm also works well. For this, you would use one (1) sheet of 85mm x 45mm x 3mm thermal pad material.
  • The choice between 2.5mm and 3mm for the back VRAM may depend on the specific tolerances of your card or desired mounting pressure. Assess the gap during disassembly. Individual pads for the VRAM modules on the back will be cut from your chosen sheet.

Purchasing Recommendation Summary for VRAM: For a full VRAM (front and back) replacement as specified, you will need:

• One (1) sheet of 85mm x 45mm x 2mm thermal pad material (for front VRAM).
• One (1) sheet of EITHER 85mm x 45mm x 2.5mm OR 85mm x 45mm x 3mm thermal pad material (for back VRAM).

Important Note on Other Components (VRMs, "Pads on the side," etc.): The information provided only specifies thermal pad requirements for the VRAM (front and back). For any other components on your AORUS RTX 3090 XTREME, such as VRMs, MOSFETs, or other ICs that may have thermal pads, you will need to carefully disassemble your card, identify these components, and meticulously measure the existing pads (if reliable) or the component-to-heatsink/backplate gaps to determine the required thicknesses and dimensions yourself. This guide cannot provide specifications for components beyond the VRAM based on the current details.

Crucial Action: Measure Individual VRAM Pad Dimensions! Even for the VRAM, while sheet sizes are recommended, specific length and width dimensions for each individual memory module's pad are not detailed. Users MUST carefully measure all VRAM chips on both the front and back of their specific AORUS RTX 3090 XTREME during disassembly. This will allow you to determine the exact sizes to cut from your chosen thermal pad sheets.

Why Choose Fehonda Thermal Pads?

When undertaking a thermal pad replacement for the critical GDDR6X VRAM on an AORUS RTX 3090 XTREME, the quality of the thermal pad material is paramount. Fehonda thermal pads are a recommended option:

• Premium Quality: Fehonda utilizes high-grade materials in their thermal pads, ensuring excellent thermal conductivity and durability for long-lasting, effective cooling under the extreme thermal loads of an RTX 3090.
• Enhanced Cooling: Specifically engineered to optimize heat transfer, these pads can help significantly reduce the operating temperatures of your GPU's VRAM.
• Expertise: Fehonda specializes in thermal interface solutions, offering products designed with an understanding of the cooling needs of modern, high-performance electronics.
• Versatile Solutions: Providing thermal pads in common sheet sizes (like 85x45mm) and various thicknesses offers the flexibility to custom-cut pads for VRAM and potentially other components, should you identify their needs.

Tips for Replacing Your GPU's VRAM Thermal Pads

Replacing GPU thermal pads on a flagship card like the AORUS RTX 3090 XTREME requires precision, care, and patience. If you are not highly experienced with GPU disassembly, consider seeking professional assistance or meticulously following detailed video guides for your specific model.

1. Preparation: Gather your tools: new Fehonda thermal pad sheets (one 85x45x2mm for front VRAM, and one 85x45x2.5mm or 85x45x3mm for back VRAM; other thicknesses if you plan to assess other components), a precision screwdriver set, a sharp craft knife or precision scissors for cutting pads, a ruler or digital calipers for measuring, non-metallic prying tools (optional), high-purity isopropyl alcohol (90%+), and lint-free cloths. An anti-static wrist strap is crucial.
2. Disassembly & VRAM Measurement/Assessment: Carefully disassemble your graphics card to expose the VRAM modules on the front and back of the PCB. Meticulously measure the length and width of each VRAM chip. For the back VRAM, carefully assess the gap or the state of the original pads to help decide between using 2.5mm or 3mm thickness for the best contact.
3. Remove Old Pads & Clean: Gently remove all old thermal pad material from the VRAM. Thoroughly clean the surfaces of the VRAM modules and the corresponding contact points on the heatsink and backplate with isopropyl alcohol to remove any oily residue or old thermal interface material. Ensure surfaces are completely dry.
4. Cut New VRAM Pads: Based on your measurements and thickness choice for the back VRAM, carefully and precisely cut the new Fehonda thermal pads from your chosen sheets (2mm for front VRAM; 2.5mm or 3mm for back VRAM). Aim for clean, straight cuts. The pads should cover the entire surface of each VRAM chip.
5. Apply New Pads: Remove the protective film from one side of a newly cut pad, apply it to the corresponding VRAM module, then remove the film from the other side just before reattaching the heatsink or backplate. Ensure good, even contact.
6. Reapply GPU Thermal Paste: Since the heatsink is removed from the GPU die, you will also need to clean the old thermal paste from the GPU die and apply a fresh, even layer of new, high-quality thermal paste.
7. Reassembly: Carefully reassemble your graphics card, ensuring even pressure when reattaching the heatsink and backplate. The AORUS XTREME series has substantial coolers; be methodical. Do not overtighten screws.
8. Testing: Install the card back into your PC and monitor temperatures, especially VRAM junction temperatures if your software supports it, under load (e.g., using benchmarking software or demanding games) to verify the success of the VRAM pad replacement and ensure temperatures are significantly improved and stable.

Where to Purchase Fehonda Thermal Pads

For reliable, high-quality Fehonda thermal pad sheets suitable for the VRAM on your GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce RTX 3090 XTREME 24G, online marketplaces like AliExpress are a common source.

FEHONDA Thermal Pad ===>>Click Here to Go to AliExpress and Buy Directly Now

Ensure you purchase:

• One (1) sheet of 85mm x 45mm x 2mm (for front VRAM).
• One (1) sheet of 85mm x 45mm x 2.5mm OR one (1) sheet of 85mm x 45mm x 3mm (for back VRAM). Choose a reputable seller. If you plan to replace pads on other components, you will need to purchase additional sheets of appropriate thicknesses once determined.

Conclusion: Unleash Your AORUS RTX 3090 XTREME's Full Potential with Optimal VRAM Cooling

Proper thermal pad replacement for the VRAM (front and back) is paramount for maintaining the extreme performance, stability, and health of your GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce RTX 3090 XTREME 24G. By using high-quality Fehonda thermal pad sheets of the correct thicknesses (2mm for front VRAM; 2.5mm or 3mm for back VRAM) and carefully measuring and cutting the individual pieces to fit your card's VRAM modules, you can significantly improve their thermal performance. Remember, this guide specifically addresses the VRAM components based on the information provided; any thermal pads on other components like VRMs will require your own assessment for thickness and dimensions.