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AMD RX 7000 series GPU Owners' Club

Hi everyone, new on the forum.

I am the proud owner of a Powercolor Radeon RX 7900 XT and I have noticed huge delta between hotspot and GPU temp.

At 100% capacity I get around 70º GPU, 100º hotspot, sometimes even more.

I got recommendation to change thermal paste and thermal pads, any advice there? specially with the pads?

I'm kinda afraid of the process so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

PowerColor HellHound 7900XTX user here. The card was defective and sent to "repair" once, and then repasted/repadded with PTM7958 paste and GELID Extreme 1.5mm thermal pads.

After repair but before redoing the pads, I have seen VRAM at 113C without any sign of throttling.

Currently, on most games GPU temp and hotspot temp should be ~70C and ~90C respectively. But there are games that will push the hotspot to around 100C. TDUSC being one of them. No driver settings are altered, default power limit at 360W. I don't think I have done anything wrong in the process regarding to the GPU part, and most things others used to benchmark/stress test the GPU doesn't cause such a big delta, so I guess a delta of 30C is just that the workload stressed the GPU in a different way. That said, a delta of 40C is a bit...worrying.

Not that it's gonna instantly explode/degrade at that state, so use it like nothing has happened.
 
Hi everyone, new on the forum.

I am the proud owner of a Powercolor Radeon RX 7900 XT and I have noticed huge delta between hotspot and GPU temp.

At 100% capacity I get around 70º GPU, 100º hotspot, sometimes even more.

I got recommendation to change thermal paste and thermal pads, any advice there? specially with the pads?

I'm kinda afraid of the process so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

yeah, those are too hot of temps. my merc310 7900 xt gets to a max of 77 hotspot and like 70 core on the most demanding games at 1440p

most of the time it doesn't budge 55 core and 70 hotspot (for most games)

if its still under warranty i would RMA it. if its not under warranty, i'd change the paste out, pads change is probably ok too, but i don't know what kind you would need
 
yeah, those are too hot of temps. my merc310 7900 xt gets to a max of 77 hotspot and like 70 core on the most demanding games at 1440p

most of the time it doesn't budge 55 core and 70 hotspot (for most games)

if its still under warranty i would RMA it. if its not under warranty, i'd change the paste out, pads change is probably ok too, but i don't know what kind you would need
Thanks for your reply, I've bought it on January but in Spain and I live in Uruguay so...
I have ordered couple of pastes and putty.
For the moment I had undervolted and limited FPS on games. Playing HD2 I was able to lower HS to 91° on the most demanding parts.
The "funny"part is that GPU core temp is 60.
VRAM also is around 80.
I hope with repaste it can go back to proper temps.
The pastes I've ordered are:
Thermalrigh TF9
Gelid GC extreme

PowerColor HellHound 7900XTX user here. The card was defective and sent to "repair" once, and then repasted/repadded with PTM7958 paste and GELID Extreme 1.5mm thermal pads.

After repair but before redoing the pads, I have seen VRAM at 113C without any sign of throttling.

Currently, on most games GPU temp and hotspot temp should be ~70C and ~90C respectively. But there are games that will push the hotspot to around 100C. TDUSC being one of them. No driver settings are altered, default power limit at 360W. I don't think I have done anything wrong in the process regarding to the GPU part, and most things others used to benchmark/stress test the GPU doesn't cause such a big delta, so I guess a delta of 30C is just that the workload stressed the GPU in a different way. That said, a delta of 40C is a bit...worrying.

Not that it's gonna instantly explode/degrade at that state, so use it like nothing has happened.
Thanks for your reply.
Question: are you suggesting my temperatures are not that bad?
Honestly I would never have detected this problem if I didn't enable the option to show me secondary temperature in MSI afterburner because main temperature is always on a standard limits never be on 70°.

Also, anyone knows the thickness of the pads for the Powercolor Radeon RX 7900 XT, the only video I found on the net is not clear, it mentions 1mm or 2 mm in here: POWERCOLOR AMD Reference 7900 XT & 7900 XTX: Unbox, Tear Down, Cooler Noise, Power Limited OC & Rant - YouTube
 
@W1zzard How come this users posts aren't merging? Usually multiple posts, with no posts in-between will result in automatic merging of those posts.
 
Thanks for your reply.
Question: are you suggesting my temperatures are not that bad?
Honestly I would never have detected this problem if I didn't enable the option to show me secondary temperature in MSI afterburner because main temperature is always on a standard limits never be on 70°.

It's bad but not throttling bad right? Then it's not that bad.
But, you have ordered pastes/pads/putty already, so do a bit more research on how to disassemble and reassemble the card.

You didn't say what exact model. If your card is the HellHound model, this video from bilibili (Chinese website warning, I don't know how accessible is this from EU, and it's already a bit annoying from here without login. I hope the link works!) can help. I have used it as a reference on how to do it on my card. There should be videos for other models. Yes it says 7900XTX, but everything should be the same except your card should have a few less VRAM chips.
Also, the video above says both 1.0mm and 1.5mm pads are needed for the HellHound, but later comments corrected that only 1.5mm pads are needed. Keep in mind if you decided to go with pads instead of putty. A sheet of 90mmX50mm is enough.

If your card is the Red Devil, use this video (again from bilibili, again a 7900XTX) as reference. 1mm for VRAM, 2mm for VRM modules.
 
It's bad but not throttling bad right? Then it's not that bad.
But, you have ordered pastes/pads/putty already, so do a bit more research on how to disassemble and reassemble the card.

You didn't say what exact model. If your card is the HellHound model, this video from bilibili (Chinese website warning, I don't know how accessible is this from EU, and it's already a bit annoying from here without login. I hope the link works!) can help. I have used it as a reference on how to do it on my card. There should be videos for other models. Yes it says 7900XTX, but everything should be the same except your card should have a few less VRAM chips.
Also, the video above says both 1.0mm and 1.5mm pads are needed for the HellHound, but later comments corrected that only 1.5mm pads are needed. Keep in mind if you decided to go with pads instead of putty. A sheet of 90mmX50mm is enough.

If your card is the Red Devil, use this video (again from bilibili, again a 7900XTX) as reference. 1mm for VRAM, 2mm for VRM modules.
A few post back I have shared the video of my model, mine is just powercolor with no additional names Powercolor Radeon RX9700XT. You can check in the Powercolor homepage.

Thanks!

Edit: this is it
 
RX 7600

till now the games that crashed on it:

rdr2
cyberpunk - just once
metro exodus

for now.
 
@W1zzard How come this users posts aren't merging? Usually multiple posts, with no posts in-between will result in automatic merging of those posts.
Not sure if enabled here

Test

Works for me
 
lil off topic here but i ran system req check for new idiana jones and i got all green checkmarks.,..............
 
A few post back I have shared the video of my model, mine is just powercolor with no additional names Powercolor Radeon RX9700XT. You can check in the Powercolor homepage.

Thanks!

Edit: this is it

Reference model then. Your video link should be the one you need.
 
Reference model then. Your video link should be the one you need.
But is it clear to you the pad's thickness I need? I would like to buy since they are cheap.

Thanks.

Edit: I have contacted Powercolor with my issue and they responded this:
Dear User,
We recommend to check the PC case air flow, adjust the fan curve by Radeon software.
How to tune fan speed and cooling using AMD Radeon Software

Make sure there’s enough cold air flow through graphic card. Below links for your reference.
https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/set-up-pc-case-fans-for-airflow-and-performance
https://www.pcworld.com/article/394965/how-to-set-up-your-pcs-fans-for-maximum-system-cooling.html

The Hot spot temperature is the highest value reported by dozens of temperature sensors for the GPU, and this value will very depends on loading. Please don’t worry about junction / hotspot temperature if you don't experience the thermal throttling in performance.

If you still concern the temp. performance, please let the reseller/purchased store help to do more test for you to verify. And apply the repair service if necessary.

Thanks for your inquiry from PowerColor website.
 
But is it clear to you the pad's thickness I need? I would like to buy since they are cheap.

Thanks.

Edit: I have contacted Powercolor with my issue and they responded this:
Dear User,
We recommend to check the PC case air flow, adjust the fan curve by Radeon software.
How to tune fan speed and cooling using AMD Radeon Software

Make sure there’s enough cold air flow through graphic card. Below links for your reference.
https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/set-up-pc-case-fans-for-airflow-and-performance
https://www.pcworld.com/article/394965/how-to-set-up-your-pcs-fans-for-maximum-system-cooling.html

The Hot spot temperature is the highest value reported by dozens of temperature sensors for the GPU, and this value will very depends on loading. Please don’t worry about junction / hotspot temperature if you don't experience the thermal throttling in performance.

If you still concern the temp. performance, please let the reseller/purchased store help to do more test for you to verify. And apply the repair service if necessary.

Thanks for your inquiry from PowerColor website.
Locate some metric gap gauges, find 1s that fill the gap then add like .25-.50 mm to that for pressfit.

But is it clear to you the pad's thickness I need? I would like to buy since they are cheap.

Thanks.

Edit: I have contacted Powercolor with my issue and they responded this:
Dear User,
We recommend to check the PC case air flow, adjust the fan curve by Radeon software.
How to tune fan speed and cooling using AMD Radeon Software

Make sure there’s enough cold air flow through graphic card. Below links for your reference.
https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/set-up-pc-case-fans-for-airflow-and-performance
https://www.pcworld.com/article/394965/how-to-set-up-your-pcs-fans-for-maximum-system-cooling.html

The Hot spot temperature is the highest value reported by dozens of temperature sensors for the GPU, and this value will very depends on loading. Please don’t worry about junction / hotspot temperature if you don't experience the thermal throttling in performance.

If you still concern the temp. performance, please let the reseller/purchased store help to do more test for you to verify. And apply the repair service if necessary.

Thanks for your inquiry from PowerColor website.
 
But is it clear to you the pad's thickness I need? I would like to buy since they are cheap.

Thanks.

Edit: I have contacted Powercolor with my issue and they responded this:
Dear User,
We recommend to check the PC case air flow, adjust the fan curve by Radeon software.
How to tune fan speed and cooling using AMD Radeon Software

Make sure there’s enough cold air flow through graphic card. Below links for your reference.
https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/set-up-pc-case-fans-for-airflow-and-performance
https://www.pcworld.com/article/394965/how-to-set-up-your-pcs-fans-for-maximum-system-cooling.html

The Hot spot temperature is the highest value reported by dozens of temperature sensors for the GPU, and this value will very depends on loading. Please don’t worry about junction / hotspot temperature if you don't experience the thermal throttling in performance.

If you still concern the temp. performance, please let the reseller/purchased store help to do more test for you to verify. And apply the repair service if necessary.

Thanks for your inquiry from PowerColor website.

Looking at the comments of your video on 7900XTX reference models and this thread: There's a comment in the thread:
I repasted my MBA 7900XTX :
  • 1mm was too thin (memory junction temp went high but GPU was perfect)
  • 1.5mm was too thick (memory junction was awesome but air gap on GPU > crash)
1.2mm graphite pads was the sweet spot for me.
Somehow there's no info on bilibili this time.

My guess is 1.2mm / 1.25mm pads, which are a bit more difficult to find. Good luck with that (or use putty).
 
But is it clear to you the pad's thickness I need? I would like to buy since they are cheap.

Thanks.

Edit: I have contacted Powercolor with my issue and they responded this:
Dear User,
We recommend to check the PC case air flow, adjust the fan curve by Radeon software.
How to tune fan speed and cooling using AMD Radeon Software

Make sure there’s enough cold air flow through graphic card. Below links for your reference.
https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/set-up-pc-case-fans-for-airflow-and-performance
https://www.pcworld.com/article/394965/how-to-set-up-your-pcs-fans-for-maximum-system-cooling.html

The Hot spot temperature is the highest value reported by dozens of temperature sensors for the GPU, and this value will very depends on loading. Please don’t worry about junction / hotspot temperature if you don't experience the thermal throttling in performance.

If you still concern the temp. performance, please let the reseller/purchased store help to do more test for you to verify. And apply the repair service if necessary.

Thanks for your inquiry from PowerColor website.

Silly question before you attempt any re-pasting and the like: did you crank your fan curve? I've had two PowerColor cards now and they seem to set their fan curve far too low for their hungry cards. I increased my fan curve and dragged my hotspot temp down to 85C max and that's where it stays, even with ~22% extra board power flowing into it. At stock it'd push over 90C.

Both of my PowerColor cards had a ~30C delta between core and hotspot too, for reference.
 
The Hot spot temperature is the highest value reported by dozens of temperature sensors for the GPU, and this value will very depends on loading. Please don’t worry about junction / hotspot temperature if you don't experience the thermal throttling in performance.
If the temperature rises, there is always a reason for this and it is worth checking it.
Yes, 90C is still fine, but 95-100C+ is not good for the hotspot, especially with 7900 XT/XTX cards that have not been maintained for a year or more.
Because they can be like that:

20240905_212213.JPG
 
Silly question before you attempt any re-pasting and the like: did you crank your fan curve? I've had two PowerColor cards now and they seem to set their fan curve far too low for their hungry cards. I increased my fan curve and dragged my hotspot temp down to 85C max and that's where it stays, even with ~22% extra board power flowing into it. At stock it'd push over 90C.

Both of my PowerColor cards had a ~30C delta between core and hotspot too, for reference.
I did, and changed my top fans to blow out air instead of blow in (dont ask).
With that I managed to get 85 HS and on very demanding parts, 95 - 100 HS

I dont know if that is better, in any case the paste and the putty are coming home as we speak but arribal would be late january...
 
Last edited:
Holy crap did they use half a tube of Thermal paste on that GPU
 
Holy crap did they use half a tube of Thermal paste on that GPU
better than most manufacturers. they usually skimp so much its half pasted
 
I am rebuilding my system to put a water block on my Asus TUF RX 7900 XTX OC all I have left to do is the tubing and fill her up.
I'll post pictures when it is completed, hopefully there are no problems like leaks this is my first time doing this. :toast:

It took me approximately 13 hours to get it done. :clap:

P_20250114_215314[2].jpg
P_20250114_215223[1].jpg
P_20250114_215349[1].jpg
Before:
P_20241013_200002[1].jpg
 
So, B650E can do more than 6000 now ?:

3207 beta
"This BIOS enhances system performance and improves high-capacity memory compatibility. This includes support for 2*DIMM memory configurations, achieving speeds up to 6800MT/s with AEMP enabled.

 
So, B650E can do more than 6000 now ?:

3207 beta
"This BIOS enhances system performance and improves high-capacity memory compatibility. This includes support for 2*DIMM memory configurations, achieving speeds up to 6800MT/s with AEMP enabled.

Wrong thread.
 
There is a 7800x3d in my specs, the B650 BIOS update is about XMP with 7000CPU's, right ?
This thread is about the 7000-series Radeons, not the 7000-series Ryzens.
 
Picked up the Pulse 7900XTX NIB on the Anandtech for sale forum for $610 shipped last year. Seller was supposed to test it as part of his job but never got around to it. All the highest ASP cards from both vendors are now a scalper's market. So I am glad I found it for such a great price. I also have a Hellhound 7800XT which I bought at launch. It has been rock solid.
 
All the highest ASP cards from both vendors are now a scalper's market. So I am glad I found it for such a great price.
Imagine how glad I am for buying mine (Pulse XTX as well) for XT/4070Ti price when I did, late 2023.
My only issue is my bad luck with silicon lottery, mine can't undervolt at all. -25mV and it already gets unstable in some of the games I play the most.
 
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