After its release, the new RTX 50 series graphics cards have repeatedly become the heroes of sad news. They include power connectors melted, а prices were comparable to a used car. This time, we’re going to talk about a case from the «wished for» category, which can still cause problems for owners of the respective graphics cards.
On the popular Korean forum Quasar Zone, one of the users reportedsaid that he noticed a thermal gel leak from his Gigabyte RTX 5080 graphics card. This unpleasant surprise happened after only a month of use. According to the author, he played World of Warcraft for about 2 hours every day. And what’s important — the video card was mounted vertically via a riser mount.
At first, it might have looked like an isolated case, but other users confirmed that owners of other Gigabyte models have also experienced a similar problem: Gaming OC, Windforce, and Aorus Master.
The thing is that to improve the performance of RTX 5080 graphics cards, which are known for their «hot» character, Gigabyte used server-grade thermal gel instead of conventional thermal pads. According to the manufacturer, the thermal gel has «better thermal conductivity and does not shift over time».
However, it seems that Gigabyte engineers did not take into account the possible consequences of vertical mounting of video cards. In most cases, video cards are placed horizontally in the system unit. However, gamers and fans of powerful PCs often build their own systems, and in this case, the video card may have a completely different position. This can be especially true if the video card is installed vertically with a special mount for a more aesthetic look. It is in these positions that the thermogel leaks.
Although this type of thermal gel is usually non-conductive and is considered safe, it still looks quite disturbing when it leaks. Once the thermogel leaks, the heat transfer characteristics from the hot chips to the heat sinks can deteriorate. In addition, it spoils the overall appearance that enthusiasts have tried to create aesthetically pleasing.
Gigabyte has not yet commented on this situation. However, a representative of a distributor working with the company responded to the author of the forum thread. He confirmed that the problem with thermogel leakage does exist and applies to the RTX 50 series. According to him, negotiations are underway with the head office to determine further customer service policies. He also apologized for the confusion caused by the unclear guidelines and promised that once a decision is made, the company will announce it separately.
In the meantime, owners of Gigabyte’s RTX 50-series are advised to carefully inspect their graphics cards for any leaking thermal gel. Excess can be gently wiped off with a soft cloth or isopropyl alcohol wipes. Users who are not confident in their abilities should contact an authorized service center.
In any case, owners of Gigabyte RTX 50-series graphics cards should avoid placing their graphics cards vertically. Although it may look nice, there is a risk of thermal gel leakage.
Source: tomshardware
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