I just delidded my 7980XE. I feel like my CPU may be rather good, but maybe its just average..
So for cooling I run a Fractal celsius S24 AIO 240MM. This AIO is expandable, so that’s what I did. I added a XSPC Reservoir, and an additional 120MM radiator.
Before I delidded my 7980XE, I ran 4.5Ghz at 1.172V my cache/mesh at x30 with 0-AVX offset. My maximum package temperature was 93C after running real bench 2.56. My core temperature differences were always within 10C of one another.
I just delidded my 7980XE today. I used LM thermal grizzly conductonaut, and I even re-sealed the stock intel IHS back in with black silicon adhesive. I applied A fresh coat of Thermalright TFX thermal paste between the CPU and the AIO Coldplate.
I fired up my PC and instantly noticed 9C lower package idle temps. I ran Real bench at the same 4.5Ghz at 1.172V no AVX offsets and my max package temp was 77C. So, then I kept going and saw very minimal temperature increase with much higher overclocks. I am running 4.8Ghz all cores right now at just 1.270V core! My max package temp in realbench is only 84C. My cores are with 1-9C apart from each other.
My CPU is much more stable since this delid! I am shocked I am running 4.8Ghz in 18/36 beast processor.
Since the delid, I have essentially overclocked my CPU am additional 300Mhz, added voltage, increased power even further, and I have still lowered temps by 10C!
If you use to much LM, your temps will not be good. You shouldn’t puddle it on the die, or IHS at all! It should be a thin layer on the IHS, and the die. And it takes some time to work it in to the surfaces of both. I spend about 15 minutes just rubbing the LM in to my IHS, and about 5 minutes rubbing it on to the die of my CPU.
So happy I delidded this beast!!! I took my sweet time doing this delid. I cannot afford to damage my CPU, or repeat this process. I even glued the IHS back on with black permatex silicon being confident in my application and patience!
Here are a few pictures of my results.