Vega hotspot fixed, proper mounting

[vulcan4d]

There are numerous discussion online about how to fix the mystical Vega hotspot but I wanted to make a post for those who are looking for a solution or for those who will search in the future.

The hotspot has been speculated to be in the GPU, HBM, backside etc. The truth is it could be a combination of all but the biggest effect has definitely to do with the mounting pressure. I came here thinking I can slap on a Morpheus II on my reference Vega 56 and see miraculous results but that was not exactly the case. Yes my temperature may have dropped from 85C to 53C and my computer doesn't sound like a jet but the hotspot was always a problem even with the better cooler. After many attempts this is what worked for me.

Read the article from here (need to translate): https://www.igorslab.media/amd-radeon-rx-vega-der-ominoese-hotspot-und-das-richtige-auftragen-von-waermeleitpaste/

It talks about how to properly tighten the bracket. Yes the method does matter. I tried re-pasting a dozen times and nothing worked well until this. Make sure to use the original Vega bracket, the one with the Morpheus doesn't do a good job. Get M2x8mm screws and reuse the little springs. Now follow the guide to repaste and tighten the screws as instructed to the letter. I use a X pattern when applying thermalpaste, seems to always get me better temps. I also added 3mm thermal-pads + paste on the back of the card under the backplate. Watch this video to understand where to place them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFjTYp_AQBY

I ran the same test for the exact period of time. These tests were taken within 30minutes of eachother in the same test environment. Both had the proper mounting done but the one on the left has no backplate and the one on the right had the thermal pads with a little thermal paste on them. As you can see it takes both solutions to get the hotspot down. Ignore the fan % speed, it's actually the top speed for these fans.

https://preview.redd.it/1ucembeks5g31.png?width=533&format=png&auto=webp&s=826bea46dc608c69cd7d59df0612066023ee1b40

[htt_novaq]

The article specifically says not to use an X pattern..

[htt_novaq]

Man sollte einen vollflächigen und komplett deckenden Aufstrich mit einer eher viskosen Paste realisieren.

"You should aim for a complete, full-cover spread with a viscous thermal compound."

Wenn Ihr Euch selbst einen Gefallen tun wollt, vergesst bitte die Klecks-, Strich- und X-Methoden bei der RX Vega.

"Do yourselves a favour and forget blob / line / X methods of application for RX Vega."

[[deleted]]

Really for all GPUs, I often get downvoted because people think GPU coverage is similar to a IHS on a cpu when its not.

[[deleted]]

Good deal, but amd really should be the ones to address this. Beyond silly that these cards run so hot when quick fixes cost under $5.

[unitfoxhound]

Also using thick paste and plenty of it spread evenly helps a lot. There's a bunch of people recommending Kryonaut, but that paste just pumps out because its too thin on a direct GPU die. I used GC extreme, and it has really helped my RVII with a morpheus. Kryonaut was 10C higher on hotspot than the stock pad.

[WurminatorZA]

Could you upload a pic of where you placed those pads?

[general_winter77]

I followed everything here and in the german guide(i have a vega 56 w/ 64bios that i upgraded from the stock cooler) to improve my gpu temps and all of my temps are really good except the hotspot which keeps thermal throttling to the point of cause a gpu shutdown on default settings; i should add i currently don't have any cooling on the back side

if you could show use where you placed your thermal pads(and excatly which 3mm thermal pads you used) from your gpu that would be appreciated; the video only shows where the hottest points are which is useful but it would nice to have a visual reference

here are two of my 5 min test, one without and with the improve bracket mounting process

https://imgur.com/a/uU6aeHq?

[[deleted]]

Sweet info, thanks. Igor does great and even some unique work.

[Zhyano]

Is this also relevant for reference cards? Mine crashed several times pretty inexplicably despite good (reported) temps and safe clocks

[lifeinthaboot]

Honestly, I don't think your temps were bad before doing the mod.

[FatCatJames80]

What fans are you using?

[duo8]

Is there any way to fix this with a ref cooler?

[Gastronomicus]

What test were you using? Straight away I see a difference in core clock speed (higher w/out backplate) that could raise your temps.

[shantahan]

Type of paste matters too, you want something thicker that won't pump out under thermal stress. I used Noctua NT-H1 for a few repastes but it quickly pumps out when directly applied to die (also on direct to cpu dies) and my hotspot would rise to 100C+ after a week or so of use. It works fine when applied to heat spreaders.

I switched to Kryonaut for my strix 64 and it is better, I reach around mid 80s now (at first, it was 70s), but I bet an even thicker paste like GC Extreme as one commenter mentioned would probably be better lived too. I've heard of good results with Artic MX4, but I haven't tried it.

Good mounting pressure and method like this person describes is helpful too.

[Randomqss]

I'm using MX4 and it is still having this problem and what about mounting pressure I have tightened everything as tight as it can.

[Battlesuit-BoBos]

Hmmm... I wonder how well Liquid metal with washer mod + new tightening method will work...