Nvidia RTX 4090 FE: cooling modifications?

[80251]

After reading w1zzard's Nvidia RTX 4090 FE review (in particular about the 20-phase GPU power VRM), his overclocking observations on RTX 4090 cards in general (where the FE tied for 1st), the fact the FE is the shortest of 4090's, has the 600W power limit, a Ni plated Cu baseplate and the cheapest I'm leaning towards an FE model. Is it at all possible to strap more powerful fans to the RTX 4090 FE? Maybe either a high power 120x38mm or 127x50mm fan? Would this help to minimize throttling due to hitting temp limits? Are the angled, black fins in the middle section functional as to dissipating heat or are they just cosmetic?

If I were to remove the thermal tape on the backplate and then coat the entire backplate with thermal putty would that violate Nvidia's warranty? What about replacing the TIM with conductonaut?

 

[Space Lynx]

I think you shoulder consider a better PC case if you are hitting temp limits on any 4090. I never saw a single review that had issues with throttling on any 4090. You don't really need to OC a 4090 hardcore, a mild OC is all you need if you absolutely must scratch that itch.

Nvidia is very picky about their warranty, I don't even need to research it to know the answer is yes, any and all of that would violate their warranty.

 

[misiozol]

Put water block on it

 

[oxrufiioxo]

After reading w1zzard's Nvidia RTX 4090 FE review (in particular about the 20-phase GPU power VRM), his overclocking observations on RTX 4090 cards in general (where the FE tied for 1st), the fact the FE is the shortest of 4090's, has the 600W power limit, a Ni plated Cu baseplate and the cheapest I'm leaning towards an FE model. Is it at all possible to strap more powerful fans to the RTX 4090 FE? Maybe either a high power 120x38mm or 127x50mm fan? Would this help to minimize throttling due to hitting temp limits? Are the angled, black fins in the middle section functional as to dissipating heat or are they just cosmetic?

If I were to remove the thermal tape on the backplate and then coat the entire backplate with thermal putty would that violate Nvidia's warranty? What about replacing the TIM with conductonaut?

What case are you using that thermals are that bad you are so worried you plan on voiding your gpu warranty or at the very least risk doing that.

 

[Chomiq]

After reading w1zzard's Nvidia RTX 4090 FE review

Why would you?

 

[oxrufiioxo]

View attachment 290408
Why would you?

Yeah, literally every 4090 runs cool unless you stick it into an oven..... No you still need good airflow to dissipate the 400 ish watts but most cases assuming the card fits will be fine.

 

[80251]

I was used to FE cards running hot but Nvidia's thermal solution for the 4090 seems to be good right out of the box, it does run hotter than my air-cooled 1080ti though. The toughest issue might be getting a hold of one for MSRP because scalpers seem to be hoovering them up (i.e. like a hoover vacuum cleaner) and selling them on ebay and amazon for outrageous prices.

 

[evernessince]

I was used to FE cards running hot but Nvidia's thermal solution for the 4090 seems to be good right out of the box, it does run hotter than my air-cooled 1080ti though. The toughest issue might be getting a hold of one for MSRP because scalpers seem to be hovering them up and selling them on ebay and amazon for outrageous prices.

In the US at least, non-fe models can be found a tad above MSRP on Amazon and other stores. You really can't go wrong with most AIB models, they all do a pretty good job of keeping the card cool.

Just make sure you have enough room in your case for that card.

 

[80251]

@evernessince
Unfortunately enough room in my case is exactly the issue. If I can't get a FE 4090 at MSRP though, I'll have to pull out the dremel and get to cutting out my HDD cage.

 

[Chomiq]

I was used to FE cards running hot but Nvidia's thermal solution for the 4090 seems to be good right out of the box, it does run hotter than my air-cooled 1080ti though. The toughest issue might be getting a hold of one for MSRP because scalpers seem to be hoovering them up (i.e. like a hoover vacuum cleaner) and selling them on ebay and amazon for outrageous prices.

The only thing that ran hot on FE's was the GDDR6X memory on 30 series. This is no longer the issue with the new cooler design.

 

[Simkin]

The only thing that ran hot on FE's was the GDDR6X memory on 30 series. This is no longer the issue with the new cooler design.

And the GDDR6X itself on the 4090 FE is also an improvement over the 3090 FE.

The tecnhical board/pcb discussion with an nvidia engineer starts at 19:00

 

[ir_cow]

Basically put a waterblock on it. Waaay better temps

 

[80251]

I can screw up air cooling installs so I'd shudder to think what would happen if I tried to go watercooling.

 

[Chomiq]

I can screw up air cooling installs so I'd shudder to think what would happen if I tried to go watercooling.

So just get a bigger case. You can afford 4090, what's stopping you from getting a new case?

 

[oxrufiioxo]

I can screw up air cooling installs so I'd shudder to think what would happen if I tried to go watercooling.

If this case can get satisfactory 4090 thermals but yours can't you definitely need a new one.

 

[Why_Me]

@evernessince
Unfortunately enough room in my case is exactly the issue. If I can't get a FE 4090 at MSRP though, I'll have to pull out the dremel and get to cutting out my HDD cage.

What case are you using atm?

 

[80251]

@Why_Me It's an old Armor Revo. The main reason I like it is because I live in a dusty environment and I need to filter the air coming into the case, that and the side case fan, which actually makes a difference in GPU temps.

 

[oxrufiioxo]

@Why_Me It's an old Armor Revo. The main reason I like it is because I live in a dusty environment and I need to filter the air coming into the case, that and the side case fan, which actually makes a difference in GPU temps.

2011 called they want their case back

All joking aside as long as the 4090 fits in there you'll be fine.

 

[phanbuey]

If this case can get satisfactory 4090 thermals but yours can't you definitely need a new one.

To be fair, that case is pulling fresh air from the top, and he put slim fans to help intake -- that's going to beat most towers -- but your point stands, the FE is great with temps he should be fine short of putting it in a ziplock bag.

 

[dgianstefani]

To be fair, that case is pulling fresh air from the top, and he put slim fans to help intake -- that's going to beat most towers.

Small cases with good airflow are in many ways optimal.

Higher pressure and more funnelled air.

Don't have lots of 3.5" drives?
Don't need PCIE add in cards?
Don't need a large case.

A well designed 15 L enclosure will support one or multiple 240/280 mm radiators, or high end air.

Most PC cases on the market are the size they are because of convention IMO, the reasons why they need to be 30-50 litres in volume don't exist anymore. No-one uses optical or floppy drives anymore, SATA is dying.

The only thing that ran hot on FE's was the GDDR6X memory on 30 series. This is no longer the issue with the new cooler design.

On 3090 this was an issue due to 1 GB chips being on the backside of the PCB and not cooled actively.

3090 Ti and 4xxx series fixed this by using higher density chips and better placement.