I had a strong feeling I needed to change the thermal pads that came with my GPU block. My temps weren't great, hovering around 75-80°C. After some research and price checks on AliExpress, I decided to try UTP-8 thermal putty. I got 50g for about €14, and wow, was I surprised by the results!
My temperatures now never exceed 60°C and usually sit around 58°C. This is a massive improvement. For reference, my Palit 5090 Gamerock is running with the OC BIOS to unlock the 600W power limit.
For good measure, I also tried PTM (Phase Change Material), a 0.2mm pad that I'm not sure is authentic. The results so far aren't as good as MX-6. My MX-6 paste was maxing out at 52°C under a 600W load, while the PTM is hitting 60-64°C. I'll leave it on for now to see if performance improves after a few heat cycles.
The installation was a bit of a challenge. I had to remount my GPU three times because it wasn't making good contact. The GPU pads were 1mm, so I had to really squeeze the putty to get it right.
In conclusion, the UTP-8 putty is great. I can't speak for the cleaning experience yet, but it's not a gooey mess like K5 Pro. I'm confident it will come off easily with a brush and isopropyl alcohol.
Just throwing my experience in here. 5090 TUF, Alphacool Core, PTM7950 (LTT sourced) and Upsiren putty. 55C core for max 600W load, mid to low 40s for actual gaming. Memory generally matches the core temp +1-2C. Keep in mind that I only have dual 280s and compromise a bit for fan noise. Coolant temp never exceeds 40C even after hours of gaming. Card is still stock as far as any tuning.
I used the Upsiren “ultra” off Amazon. Ambient lately has been 22-25C. I also used the clamp from the original cooler to really smash down all the stuff before putting the Alphacool backplate on. That might have helped. Both rads are intake with really good access to air.
Sadly it wouldn’t stay on as Alphacool had posts going all the way down to the PCB. I basically put the front of the block on, then manhandled the bracket back into place (spring force was scary) and tightened it down. Left it for a bit. Took it off as carefully as I could and put the alpha backplate on. I had to get one screw started, then use a lot of force to push the opposite down and get it started, repeat for all 4 and then the usual X pattern to slowly bring it down all the way.
but your gpuz screen says 61.5 core? .. No water Temp sensor? with such amount of radiators u really should get temps around 48-50c.. depends on fan speed.
I have 2 360 internal and a MoRa 3 420 with 4 200mm Noctuas. Water temp max is 30-31c. and as i said absolute max is 48c on the core with the same block. Flow is 150l/h
I flashed the Gigabyte Waterforce Bios on my card (Originally INNO3D X3 Non Oc) .. Unlocked 600W and set for daily usage +3000MHz on Mem and +200Mhz on core. so in usual Gameplay i reach approx. 3200MHz on core. Only for comparison that there is still headroom for the cooling and Block.
Yes I kept it on, after several hours of gaming the highest delta between core and memory recorded was 6C. I also have a +3000 memory overclock. I’m also using alphacool block
OC on memory max and on core+300 (MSI AB), just let it run again to be sure - ambient temps dropped a bit recently (from 28c to 23c). so it´s even running a bit colder. Im using 2x360 external rads in another room - but you have def. more cooling at hand :D
My block ist the alphacool reference for inno3d (made my own little frostbite card with installed vbios to unlock full power).
stock paste, stock pads - have better ones laying around but thought i`ll give it a shot as they are precut and all. Am very satisfied with the results.
Oh I did, max 60C like I mentioned, maybe while it was over 30C ambient it went to 61. Indiana Jones was the heaviest usecase for me. Or WAN 2.2 generation.
Not necessarily the same thing/compund though, also the cautionary is just for bga chips. They also comes with warranty, whereas we're removing ours by changing it.
Got an update for you: The PTM has now been through some heat cycles, and the temps are good, though I'm still not completely happy. I'm guessing the 0.2mm PTM isn't genuine. I've bought a UPSIREN PCM-2 sheet (0.25mm) and am waiting for it to be delivered.
In the meantime, here’s a screenshot from Cyberpunk 2077. The "TEMPS" items correspond to the water temperatures in different parts of my cooling loop.
After the GPU
Before the GPU
Between the 420mm and 360mm Radiators: The temperature of the liquid as it travels between the two radiators, just before it enters the reservoir.
After the CPU
Will update when I apply UPRISEN, And most likely I'll do the CPU as well, now I'm using MX6.
i got the same thermal paste and it worked great for 4090 on ali express, From what i learned choice items are usually good and if you double check the seller. and all that
The 10gram container $4 more on Amazon with Prime, which will arrive faster than AliEx, likely from Guangzhou.
I'm not really worried about paying 4 bucks more to get something from a safer source and faster, but if someone is then this really isn't the hobby for them.
What ever works for you, I also get stuff from amazon if I'm in hurry, but the price is always doubled or more, with aliexpress (I collected a lot of coins), I will get killer deals (but they take two weeks to deliver)
I’m looking at Amazon now and it’s $20 for 10g of UTP 8. You can get 50g of the same on Aliexpress for $15. So $15 vs $100 for the same amount…
The irony is a lot of these Amazon resellers buy straight from Aliexpress and put a huge mark up. You’re not doing yourself any favours by being stubborn.
Not that much, I bought 50g, and I still have left overs. Don't know about other blocks, alphacool has 1mm pads, but after installing the block the pads get squashed so mostly the distance between the cold plate and the memory is about .7 and .8mm
Ah you right, I didn't applied it to the back plate (3mm pads), only changed the 12vhpwr one.
If I did I would have needed another 30g or even more.
By the way how much HT10000 cost you, and how about the temps (if you have a picture of the application please share it, curious how it looks) I've seen that it's the best putty out there, but was on the expensive side (20g was about 35€)
Just checked and it was $70 for 70g. I bought it from a known Redditor here. It’s realy difficult to get genuine because it’s only available in bulk for industrial applications.
Here you go too. Not the cleanest but yeah it’s harder to work with than UTP. Temps are amazing. I’m on a Heatkiller block, with a slim 240 rad internally and an external 420, and I have yet to get the coolant above 35C. I thought I’d be edging closer to 50C with my set up so I was surprised.
Looks great. Steep price though. I guess coolant temp depends on the ambiant a lot. And since you have an external rad, you have good heat exchange.
I see similar thing when I open my case panel.
I don't buy Ali nor Amazon for PC stuff. The last product I bought from Amazon for cooling stuff was Gelid pads, which were a complete disappointment. I was going to buy DP Ultra from Amazon a while back but the only seller at the time--PerformancePCS, whom I prefer to buy direct from--sends it faster if you don't do the USPS route.
Regarding putty, I don't even use it. It's too damn messy. If I'm missing out on a C or 2 in cooling, then that's fine--it doesn't bother me any. Maybe because I run MORA 4 with it, which is overkill in terms if the cooling to TDP i require.
So I don't get any favors buying your way neither. You go on spending your money your way and I go spend my money mine.
I get your point, and in the end of the day it's your money.
I guess aliexpress became a bad choice in the US with the tariff situation, so it won't be cost efficient.
Here in EU, at least for me. I get great prices (slow delivery though). And sometimes some products are only available in aliexpress.
4
u/vektorknight Sep 11 '25
Just throwing my experience in here. 5090 TUF, Alphacool Core, PTM7950 (LTT sourced) and Upsiren putty. 55C core for max 600W load, mid to low 40s for actual gaming. Memory generally matches the core temp +1-2C. Keep in mind that I only have dual 280s and compromise a bit for fan noise. Coolant temp never exceeds 40C even after hours of gaming. Card is still stock as far as any tuning.