Can thermal paste be used instead of pads on GPU?

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pegot
Licensed Customer
Posts: 943
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:44 am

I am replacing the ACX cooler on my GTX 780 with a reference cooler. But the StarTech thermal pads I bought to cover the smaller conductors on the card are absolute rubbish (I can not peel them off and they are very thin). Can I use thermal paste instead, like I will be using to protect the cards main center CPU?
Win 10 - AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
MB: ASRock X570 Creator
PSU: 1600w EVGA
5090 MSI Suprim WC
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User avatar (Default)
pegot
Licensed Customer
Posts: 943
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:44 am

Just did a test to see if paste applied to one of the VRAM chips would reach the base of the new reference cooler and it doesn't. So it looks like I do need to use pads. My next question then would be: Can I simply reuse the pads that were on my ACX cooler? They come off easily enough and seem in good condition. Can they be re-used or would that be unwise?
Win 10 - AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
MB: ASRock X570 Creator
PSU: 1600w EVGA
5090 MSI Suprim WC
3090 ASUS Tuff
Top
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