GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce RTX 3090 XTREME WATERFORCE WB 24G: Thermal Pad Guide (1mm & 2mm)

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

Even with a sophisticated water block, thermal pads are essential. They bridge the microscopic gaps between heat-generating components—such as the VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) chips on both the front and back of the PCB, and various "pads on the side" like VRMs (Voltage Regulator Modules) and MOSFETs—and the water block's contact surfaces or the card's backplate. Efficient heat transfer to these cooling elements is paramount for stability and longevity under extreme loads.

Using old, deteriorated, or incorrectly sized/thicknessed thermal pads on a card of this caliber can lead to:

• Elevated VRAM/VRM Temperatures: Despite the GPU core being liquid-cooled, these supporting components can still overheat if their thermal interface is compromised, potentially leading to instability or performance issues.
• Reduced Overall System Performance: If any part of the GPU system is thermally limited, it can affect the card's ability to sustain peak performance.
• Shortened GPU Lifespan: Prolonged exposure to excessive heat on any part of the card can accelerate the wear and tear on electronic components.

Replacing thermal pads with new, high-quality ones of the correct thicknesses is an important maintenance step to ensure your AORUS RTX 3090 XTREME WATERFORCE WB 24G performs at its absolute best within your custom loop.

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

For the GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce RTX 3090 XTREME WATERFORCE WB 24G, specific thermal pad thicknesses and corresponding sheets are recommended for various sections of the card. You will purchase these sheets and then cut the individual pads to the specific sizes needed for each component.

VRAM (Front Side of PCB - Under the Water Block):

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

VRAM (Back Side of PCB - Under Backplate):

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

"Pads on the side" (e.g., VRMs, MOSFETs, other components on the PCB also making contact with the water block or heatsink elements):

• Required Thickness: These components also require 1mm thick thermal pads.
  • You will need to purchase additional 1mm thick thermal pad material. The 85x45x1mm sheet specified for the front VRAM may provide some material, but depending on the extent of these "side pads," an additional 85x45x1mm sheet or a larger single 1mm sheet (e.g., 100x100x1mm) would be advisable to ensure complete coverage.

Important Note on Specific Pad Dimensions (Length x Width): Specific length and width dimensions for each individual pad on the AORUS RTX 3090 XTREME WATERFORCE WB are not provided in the source information. Therefore, users will need to meticulously measure all components that require thermal pads (VRAMs on front and back, and all "pads on the side") 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 (1mm and 2mm).

Why Choose Fehonda Thermal Pads?

When undertaking a thermal pad replacement for a premium, liquid-cooled card like the AORUS RTX 3090 XTREME WATERFORCE WB, the quality of the thermal pad material is crucial. Fehonda thermal pads are a recommended option due to several benefits:

• Premium Quality: Fehonda utilizes high-grade materials in their thermal pads, ensuring excellent thermal conductivity and durability for long-lasting, effective cooling under extreme loads.
• Enhanced Cooling: Specifically engineered to optimize heat transfer, these pads can help significantly reduce the operating temperatures of your GPU's critical components, working in synergy with your custom water cooling loop.
• Expertise: Fehonda specializes in thermal interface materials, offering products designed with an understanding of the cooling needs of modern, high-performance electronics.
• Versatile Solutions: Providing thermal pads in various thicknesses and common sheet sizes (like 85x45mm) offers the flexibility to custom-cut pads for a wide variety of GPUs and component layouts, essential for this card's specific requirements.

Tips for Replacing Your GPU Thermal Pads (Custom Cutting Required)

Replacing GPU thermal pads on a water-blocked card requires extreme precision, care, and patience, particularly due to handling the water block itself. If you are not experienced with GPU disassembly and custom loop components, consider seeking professional assistance or meticulously following detailed video guides for your specific AORUS RTX 3090 XTREME WATERFORCE WB model.

1. Preparation: Gather your tools: new Fehonda thermal pad sheets (sufficient 1mm material – e.g., two 85x45x1mm sheets or one larger 100x100x1mm sheet – and one 85x45x2mm sheet), 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. Ensure your custom loop is drained before disassembly.
2. Disassembly & Identification/Measurement: Carefully disassemble your graphics card, which involves removing the water block. Pay close attention to how the block makes contact with VRAM and VRM areas.
   • Front VRAM & Side Pads: Measure the length and width of VRAM chips and all "side" components (VRMs, MOSFETs etc.) that require 1mm pads.
   • Back VRAM: Measure the length and width of VRAM chips on the back for cutting from your 2mm sheet.
3. Remove Old Pads & Clean: Gently remove all old thermal pad material. Thoroughly clean the surfaces of the components, the water block contact plates, and the backplate with isopropyl alcohol to remove any oily residue or old thermal interface material. Ensure surfaces are completely dry.
4. Cut New Pads: Based on your measurements and thickness determinations, carefully and precisely cut the new Fehonda thermal pads from the appropriate 1mm and 2mm sheets. Aim for clean, straight cuts. The pads should cover the entire surface of the component.
5. Apply New Pads: Remove the protective film from one side of a newly cut pad, apply it to the corresponding component (ensuring correct thickness is used), then remove the film from the other side just before reattaching the water block or backplate. Ensure good, even contact.
6. Reapply GPU Thermal Paste: Clean the old thermal paste from the GPU die and the water block's GPU contact surface. Apply a fresh, even layer of new, high-quality thermal paste to the GPU die.
7. Reassembly: Carefully reassemble your graphics card, ensuring the water block is correctly seated with even pressure across the GPU die, VRAM, and VRMs. Re-integrate into your custom loop. Do not overtighten screws or fittings.
8. Leak Test & System Test: After re-integrating into your loop, perform a thorough leak test before powering on the system. Once confirmed leak-free, power on and monitor temperatures under load (e.g., using benchmarking software or demanding games) to verify the success of the replacement and ensure temperatures are stable and within optimal ranges.

Where to Purchase Fehonda Thermal Pads

For reliable, high-quality Fehonda thermal pad sheets suitable for your GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce RTX 3090 XTREME WATERFORCE WB 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 VRAM back).
• Sufficient 1mm thick material (e.g., one 85mm x 45mm x 1mm sheet for VRAM front, and potentially another 85x45x1mm sheet or a larger 100x100x1mm sheet for the "pads on the side," depending on total area) from a reputable seller.

Conclusion: Maintain Your AORUS RTX 3090 XTREME WATERFORCE WB's Peak Cooling

Proper thermal pad replacement for the VRAM and other critical components is key to maintaining the extreme performance, stability, and longevity of your GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce RTX 3090 XTREME WATERFORCE WB 24G. By using high-quality Fehonda thermal pad sheets of the correct thicknesses (1mm for front VRAM and side pads; 2mm for back VRAM) and carefully measuring and cutting the individual pieces to fit your card's specific layout, you ensure that all vital components are effectively transferring heat to your custom liquid cooling solution. This leads to optimal temperatures and sustained performance from your elite, water-cooled graphics card.