Updated
Updated · Tom's Hardware · Jul 11
RTX 5070 Ti Paste Fix Cuts Hidden Hotspot to 100C From 107C
Updated
Updated · Tom's Hardware · Jul 11

RTX 5070 Ti Paste Fix Cuts Hidden Hotspot to 100C From 107C

3 articles · Updated · Tom's Hardware · Jul 11

Summary

  • Paulo Gomes found a Gigabyte RTX 5070 Ti hitting a 107C hotspot under load and throttling immediately, even as standard Windows tools showed only 67-68C average GPU temperatures.
  • MODS—an internal Nvidia diagnostic tool running outside Windows—exposed the still-present hotspot sensor that Nvidia no longer makes visible in consumer monitoring software.
  • Opening the card revealed poor thermal contact: thermal paste had pooled around the core's perimeter while the center was mostly dry, leaving the cooler unable to transfer heat properly.
  • Replacing the TIM with SnowDog Husky paste lowered the hotspot to 100C, bringing the card back within Nvidia's limit and stopping thermal throttling.
  • The case adds to scrutiny of RTX 50-series thermal behavior, because hidden hotspot readings can mask overheating that users could otherwise fix or flag for warranty service.

Insights

Why did NVIDIA disable a critical sensor that reveals manufacturing flaws in its new RTX 50 GPUs?
A modder unlocked a hidden RTX 50 sensor revealing critical flaws. What else might tech giants be hiding?