[HH] nVidia GTX 470 TIM Replacement Guide

[nytestryker99zx]

woah, using plastic baggies as gloves? that just seems like you are asking for static shocks. also is there any good way to check for/clean up thermal paste flowing beyond the gpu chip? Too much paste can be just as bad as too little.

[HardwareHobbyist]

@nytestryker99zx I haven't had any problems with static shocks as I always make sure to ground myself beforehand. In general if there is extra thermal compound on a GPU core it's fine as there's plenty of free space around the core and no damage will be done (unlike a CPU). The best way to clean any excess paste for me has always been to use a Q-Tip and rubbing alcohol. - Bill

[unimatrix82]

when i did my 470's i just put some on the direct heat pipes and a pea size dot in the middle of the gpu core as well since the pressure from tightening it does helps spread it.

[ConeJellos]

omg, that is the most I've ever seen put onto ANYTHING. lol

[lunatik3904]

Can you put the same thermal compound on a GPU and on a CPU ? Or you need to have 2 different brands / type ?

Awesome vid', by the way! Really useful :)

[HardwareHobbyist]

@lunatik3904 Thermal compounds are meant to work on both CPUs and GPUs, so you're good to go! (And thanks!) - Bill

[dmxdex]

i just noticed you did that lol.

[MrJoejoethetireman]

if i didnt see the before and after temps i would have said thats a load of shit lol. but facts are facts

[HardwareHobbyist]

@MrJoejoethetireman GPU cores are significantly larger than their CPU counterparts, so they require more paste. That said, for those who don't have much experience, it can seem like too much. But like you said, the temperatures speak for themselves!

[MrJoejoethetireman]

holy shit thats a lot of paste lol

[asus3571]

i realize that u need more tim 4 a gpu core but that blob in the vid looked really big maby cuz the camera adds 20 pounds

[HRVTD]

You put about 50% to much! Damn

[HardwareHobbyist]

@HRVTD GPU cores require more paste than CPUs do - we put the perfect on, but it's always good to be cautious! - Bill

[HRVTD]

@HardwareHobbyist you know whats funny your right i tested it out with some IC DIAMOND 24K and i put almost as much as you did and it actually spread almost perfect then i did it again cause i didnt want to catch air bubbles sorry i felt like it was to much but im wrong lol

[HardwareHobbyist]

@HRVTD That's what we're here for! If you have any other comments or questions, please please let us know so we can keep improving. - Bill

[KEEVVY]

actualy less is better

[HardwareHobbyist]

@KEEVVY You want to have enough to cover the entire GPU core - any less will result in significantly higher temperatures. The amount we applied is recommended by Innovation Cooling, but keep in mind that the amount of TIM necessary and the application method varies per TIM brand/type used! -Bill

[Chainzaw1447]

Hm, I copied everything you did with a stock cooled Zotac GTX 470 and used arctic silver 5 (works great with my cpu) but no difference...93*C in furmark <.< :(

[HardwareHobbyist]

@Chainzaw1447 AS5 requires a slightly different application method. Here we simply put down a "pea sized" blob and let the pressure of the heatsink spread it out. For AS5 it's better to use a plastic card to "layer" the paste across the GPU. -Bill

[Chainzaw1447]

@HardwareHobbyist Okay...So i guess i should re-do the thing. But do i really need to take it all off (the thermal compound)? Or can i just spread it out?

[HardwareHobbyist]

@Chainzaw1447 It is incredibly hard to get an even application without first removing all old thermal compound. You will likely get air bubbles which can hurt the performance. Also, keep in mind that AS5 needs to set in much longer than IC Diamond, so give your card a day or two before you determine whether or not it decreased your temperature.

[Chainzaw1447]

Is it the same for a zotac card (same cooler). 

[HardwareHobbyist]

@Chainzaw1447 Yes, if the cooler/heatsink unit is the same, then the process should be identical.

[MetalJody1990]

Which is better for GTX 460 -- IC Diamond 24 or Tuniq TX-2 ?

[HardwareHobbyist]

@MetalJody1990 I want to say that IC diamond is the way to go, but personally I have never used Tuniq MX-2 myself. IC diamond is one of the easiest compounds to apply, because there is zero spreading required. (I have read that MX-2 requires spreading, as by a razor blade, and this may be difficult to do without causing air bubbles).

Furthermore, in a few reviews online, MX-2 has only managed to be AS5 by 1-2 degrees, while IC Diamond has done so by 4-5 degrees.

Hope this helps!

-Max

[MetalJody1990]

@HardwareHobbyist Thanks. I just bought IC Diamond on Ebay. Hopefully it will make a huge difference on my card. It reaches up to 85C pretty easily. I don't even wanna speak of Crysis...

[HardwareHobbyist]

@MetalJody1990 I hope it helps, but keep in mind that TIM replacement is not meant to fix card heat problems. It is only meant to give you a few degrees difference, for example, if you want to overclock the card a tiny bit higher. If your card has serious temperature problems, you should consider looking elsewhere for a fix (such as case airflow), and if the problem persists, you may want to call your manufacturer to make sure that amount of heat for the card is okay.

[MetalJody1990]

@HardwareHobbyist The TIM is kind of expensive for a few degrees difference, don't you think? Someone's review for this card on Newegg explained the same heat issue mine has, and he replaced the TIM with Tuniq and that brought it down under 65C, (over 90C before he replaced the TIM), so I'm really hoping IC Diamond will do the same or better.

[tripleohno]

lol burn in time.. first ive heard of that.. no if u said cure time, or curing then i would agree. nice, vid but reading some remarks left out u should go in to more detail. maybe about static discharge from not handling card right, You would be amazed at what ive seen people do. had a Friend bring a gpu over for me to look at and it rode in his car on the seat, not even in a box or bag. overall good vid keep up the good work

[HardwareHobbyist]

@tripleohno Sorry that we use a different term for "cure time" than you do. Hope you don't mind. ^^ Furthermore, we trust that any of those who are comfortable with doing something like changing the TIM on their GPU will be aware of the dangers such as static discharge and will accept responsibility if anything does get damaged. This is why we say make sure that you understand your warranty before you do something like this.

[gamerdragon89]

But one more thing... are coolermaster or céramique the most recommended paste?

[HardwareHobbyist]

@gamerdragon89 Cooler Master is the name of a company, not a type of thermal compound. In general companies like Innovation Cooling and Arctic Silver produce the bets performing thermal compounds. Check sites like newegg.com for reviews on what's the best.

[gamerdragon89]

lol i tryed to do the same as you dud just with gtz 460 from zotac and i diddnt see that i needed to "pop off" the main box over the heatsink:P

[MrsMarianBarbarian]

Posting on my daughters account just happened to be logged in and I found this

So introducing myself, Andrew President of Innovation Cooling.

Excellent Job! the application method and amount are perfect, I could not do better myself and is also an excellent guide for the DTH sink users, I will put up a link on our site when I get a chance

[HardwareHobbyist]

@MrsMarianBarbarian That would be awesome, thank you!

[HardwareHobbyist]

@MrsMarianBarbarian Hey we just saw that the video is up on your site, we'd like to thank you very much and we will definitely continue to use the IC Diamond product at every opportunity we get. We'd also like to thank FalconCMH for providing us with the sample, thanks Falcon it's really appreciated ^^

[TheSherwin2261]

where do you get your peas from?

lol

[HardwareHobbyist]

@TheSherwin2261

^^

[rcarkk]

In the GTX 470, the components of the PCB are being cooled by the huge heatsink and by the fan. Then the Cooler is atached by 4 screws to the PCB heatsink. These 4 screws are the only points where the GPU heatsink can transfer the hot GPU temps to the PCB heatsink. It´s a good design, as it works independently. Touching the GTX 470 PCB heatsink with 80ºC GPU load temps, the feel is only warm. On the 8800 Ultra, if the GPU runs @ 80ºC, the touch feel is very hot, due to the monobloc heatsink.

[rcarkk]

Update! I have seen that my voltages are diferent, despite beeing the same model with the same bios with almost the same serial number (diference by two numbers), they come with 962mv (that one that runs cooler) and 1025mv (the hotter one). Putting them with locked voltages at 0.962mv, the difference in temps dissapears. I wonder why they change voltages between cards of the same production line. They seem to be stable at this voltages (0.965). I don´t need to change the TIM now! :)

[HardwareHobbyist]

@rcarkk Each card has a unique VID, or default stock voltage. This is the voltage that the manufacturer deems necessary for the card to run stable at stock speeds. I would recommend not lowering it, but if your cards are stable at .965V, then congratz! My card is .925 VID, and yes, extra voltage can make a big difference in terms of temperatures. Just be sure to double check your 1.025V card is stable at .965V!

[rcarkk]

Thank you! It was a toough decision between GTX 580 and GTX 470 SLI. I bought them without knowing the specs of the GTX 580. I think i was lucky. They have more horsepower in SLI. The cons are the 1280 MB vs 1536 MB. But thats cool! You talk about "Blob" is that the metod that you use in the video? Im scared to kill the cards and void the waranty. I have lots of AS5! :) Greatings from Portugal my friend

[HardwareHobbyist]

@rcarkk We recommend the "Blob" method for thick thermal pastes. For AS5, the best way is to add a medium size blob on the GPU and then use a plastic card to spread out the TIM. The stock TIM is decent, so if your temps are fine, it's up to you ^_^ EVGA covers this type of stuff, but I'm not sure if you can get their cards in Portugal. Good luck, gratz on your purchase!

[rcarkk]

@HardwareHobbyist LOL. My GTX 470s are from EVGA, bought on Portugal. Why do you say that? My cards are ER, not an AR model. Means Europe Release i think. Portugal is from Europe you know? :) Want to now more about Portugal? Be cool

[HardwareHobbyist]

@rcarkk Ah my bad, I've just heard EVGA's European service wasn't as great. They've definitely stepped it up though (no pun intended)!

[rcarkk]

Hi there! I have purchased 2 EVGA GTX 470s. Running furmark using each card at a time, one @ 60% fan gives 83ºC and the second one alone @60% fan gives 91ºC. Do you recomend using Artic Silver 5 on the GPUs? Another thing, MSI afterburn dosn´t allow me to see the voltages. Wath software do you use? Best regards

[HardwareHobbyist]

@rcarkk Hey! First off grats on your purchase. AS5 would work fine for the GPU, you can either use the "blob" method or use the credit card method to apply the TIM. I use MSI Afterburner as well, and to see the voltages you need to unlock them by going to Settings in the bottom right -> General -> Unlock Voltage Monitoring (and Voltage Control if you know what you're doing). You have to restart for the changes to apply. Good luck!

[GHEORGHEIONUT]

For cleaning the compound the arctic silver cleaning kit is best, i say this from experience. The first solution dilutes everything fast so you can clean it and the second one removes any kind of residue including the leftover from the first solution.

When you place the ICD paste on the die the amount here is ok, you need a little more because it is a high density paste not because you need more for the GPU than on the CPU.

Great video, make more :). It helps.

And send me that card..:)).

[HardwareHobbyist]

@GHEORGHEIONUT Thanks for the input! And yes from what we've heard the AS cleaning kit is great. But remember, rubbing alcohol (preferably 80%+) works great too if you want to save some money. And no, the card's not for sale =( (.925 VID)

[Jesterace77]

When reattaching the heatsink wouldn't you want to use a diagonal pattern when tightning the screws? ie 1-3-2-4 instead of 1-2-3-4 as you done?

[HardwareHobbyist]

@Jesterace77 At 7:27 you can see that I'm tightening them diagonally, but yes, you want to tighten them in a diagonal fashion to ensure even pressure between the heatsink and the GPU core. (IC Diamond is different in that high PSI's, such as 50lbs+ are recommended for the best temperatures, but not generally advised as it can be dangerous.) Just tighten them as tight as you can.

Thanks for asking!