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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallA thermal-paste investigation examined a brand-new Manli GeForce RTX 4080 Gallardo and found a compound that could perform well when applied very thinly but lose performance in thicker layers. That result may help explain reports of RTX 40-series cards whose hotspot temperatures climb over time. It does not establish that every Nvidia partner used the same paste or that every RTX 40-series card is affected.
Why can an RTX 40-series hotspot reach 100°C?
Some owners reported hotspot temperatures reaching 100°C after a few months of initially acceptable operation, according to TechSpot’s 2024 report. Tom’s Hardware reported affected cases above 100°C, with fans approaching full speed. A GPU’s hotspot reading reflects the hottest measured area of its chip; it can rise even when the average GPU temperature looks less alarming.
The reports connect those symptoms to thermal paste losing contact quality over time. Paste fills microscopic gaps between the GPU chip and its cooler. If it dries, separates or is displaced, heat transfer can worsen, prompting higher temperatures and louder fans. These symptoms are consistent with the reported paste problem, but temperature alone cannot establish that a particular card has it.
What did the investigation test?
The sample and laboratory procedure
Igor Wallossek tested paste taken from a new Manli GeForce RTX 4080 Gallardo. TechSpot says the sample was examined with an ASTM D5470-17 thermal analyzer procedure at 60°C; Tom’s Hardware also identifies the Manli card as the test sample. This was an examination of one card’s paste, not a survey of Nvidia graphics cards or partner production.
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How the paste compared
Tom’s Hardware reported that the paste performed comparably to premium compounds, including Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut, when applied in a very thin layer. Its performance worsened as the layer became thicker. That distinction matters: the findings do not mean the compound necessarily performs poorly in every application, nor do they prove how it was applied across other cards.
What was in the compound
Microscopy found particles as large as 16 µm. The reports describe a formula dominated by aluminum oxide and zinc-oxide filler in silicone oil. TechSpot describes a proposed failure mechanism: relatively large particles may leave gaps, allowing the oily binder to bleed out; as the paste dries or dissolves, contact between chip and cooler may deteriorate. This is a proposed explanation for the reported behavior, not proof that it caused every owner’s temperature rise.
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Which GPU brands are implicated?
Manli is the partner whose RTX 4080 Gallardo paste was directly examined. HotHardware says Wallossek also named ASUS, PNY, Palit and other manufacturers, but stresses that the published test data concerned the Manli card. Those mentions do not establish that every model, production batch or card from those brands used the same compound.
The available reports do not establish a market-wide failure rate, the number of affected units, a supplier or batch range, or an official Nvidia or graphics-card maker policy. Treat the wider partner claims as allegations or reports—not confirmed evidence that those brands’ products are universally defective.
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What should you do if your GPU hotspot is unusually high?
Check the pattern before opening the card
- Compare the hotspot reading with the card’s own prior behavior under similar workloads, rather than relying on a single temperature reading.
- Check whether the temperature rise coincides with fans running unusually fast or performance changing. The reports describe those symptoms in affected cases, but they are not a diagnosis by themselves.
- Review the warranty terms and contact the card maker or seller before disassembly if the card may still be covered. Removing the cooler can affect warranty coverage, depending on the applicable terms and region.
Repaste only with model-specific preparation
TechSpot and Tom’s Hardware present repasting as a practical remedy, and note that replacement compounds are readily available. A GPU repaste is more involved than changing CPU paste: it requires removing the cooler, and thermal pads, screw locations and reassembly details vary by model. Use a model-specific teardown or repair guide, confirm the correct thermal-pad thickness and placement, and avoid assuming a generic GPU teardown kit fits every card.
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is one replacement compound named by Tom’s Hardware as a comparison in the testing; that is not a universal recommendation or proof of suitability for every GPU. Choose a paste appropriate for the card and follow the maker’s application guidance. If you are uncertain about cooler removal, pad placement or warranty consequences, a qualified repair service is safer than trial-and-error disassembly.
Rank #4
- EXTREME HEAT CONDUCTIVITY - With an exceptional thermal conductivity, Kryonaut is perfect for even the most demanding congurations and can be used in industrial cooling systems
- EASY APPLICATION - Featuring a specially designed syringe and spatula for spreading, Kryonaut guarantees effortless, comfortable, and precise paste distribution on your processor or graphics card
- LONG-LASTING EFFECT - Thanks to its unique and specialized structure, Kryonaut ensures long-lasting performance and does not dry out even at 80°C
- SURPRISING IMPACT - Experience a temperature drop right from the rst use, reducing device heat and enhancing operational comfort
- MARKET LEADER - Proven through extensive testing, the top choice in the market meets the highest quality standards, satisfying not only standard computer users but also passionate overclocking enthusiasts
How strong is the evidence?
The strongest evidence is narrow: a lab examination of paste from a new Manli RTX 4080 Gallardo, alongside owner reports described by TechSpot and Tom’s Hardware in 2024. It supports concern about the tested compound’s behavior at thicker application layers and offers a plausible explanation for some rising hotspot reports. It does not quantify how common the issue is or identify all affected cards.
HotHardware reproduced Wallossek’s criticism of the paste and his call for manufacturers to address reported damage. That is his assessment, not an official confirmation from Nvidia or an affected board maker. The distinction between an observed sample and a broader allegation is essential when deciding whether an individual card needs service.
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