The following instructions apply for the Dell RTX 3080.

A disclaimer: this document and any

affiliates are not responsible for end user damage to the graphics card.

Don’t worry, changing the thermal pads on your graphics card is simple and highly advisable.
You just have to take your time and be gentle like it’s a baby.

Before continuing here are some of the tools you should have with you:
• Hobby scalpel or sharp razor
• A ruler or measuring tool (in centimeters / millimeters)
• Thermal pads – 1 Sheet of 85 x 85 x 1.5 mm
• Thermal paste or 0.5-1mm thick thermal pad
• A clear open space to work

Instructions:
1. Remove all screws on the graphics card.
2. Remove more screws J

3. Take the back plate off and proceed to remove the last of the screws.
4. Next gently remove the fan/heatsink on the front of the graphics card but *DO NOT
COMPLETELY REMOVE*. There are 2 wires which provide power to the fan which must also
be connected.
5. Using your fingers or a plastic pry tool, gently remove the two wires connecting to the
heatsink. Do not pull on the cables but try to remove via the white tabs on each side.
6. Once removed, locate the following corner on the graphics card. From this corner, you can
use your hands to gently pry the black plate from the graphics card. You will notice that it
may be a bit difficult, but be gentle. The pads may still be adhering to the card.
7. Once complete here is the card ready to apply padding along with the measurements for
each piece to cut.

7.5cm x 0.7cm 5cm x 1.5cm 1.5cm x 1.2cm 1.5cm x 1.2cm 5cm x 1.5cm 8.5cm x 0.7cm

You may think that the middle piece is incorrect in size, but the piece cut from Dell appears to
be covering no chips, so you simply need a smaller piece to cover the one chip.

My suggestion to optimizing the cut is to start with the two outer pieces. The two narrow strips
are already the size of the length of the pad, so just measure out 1.4 cm and make two cuts at
that end point and the middle (0.7 cm). Then work your way with chunks of 1.5cm pieces for
the inner parts.
8. Your graphics card should now look similar to this once complete.

9. Next, place the black metal heatsink bracket on top of the graphics card. Before going to
place the large heatsink with fans back onto the card, be sure to apply some thermal paste
or thermal padding on the heatsink.

As you can tell, paste is really messy so it is preferred to use pads. Some users have
reported 0.5mm – 1mm pad thickness works just as well with no mess.
10. After you have applied thermal paste/padding, connect the heatsink wires back and place
the heatsink/fan back onto the front of the card.

11. Next, flip the card over and begin to change out the thermal pads on the backplate of the
graphics card. See below for sizes.

5.0cm x 2.0cm 1.3cm x 1.2cm 3.7cm x 1.5cm 5.0cm x 2.0cm

The two pads on the left are given larger sizes as to cover more area. As you can tell by the
indentations, sometimes the pieces are not cut to the full size for optimum cooling. Therefore,
we have increased the sizes for these pieces as they are also the locations of the larger chip
sections from the front.
12. Once all is said and done, here is the finished backplate.

13. Place the backplate back onto the graphics card and re-assemble the card (hopefully you
remember how the screw placements went, but you can always flip back up to remember if
you forgot!).

14. You can now rest easy knowing your investment in a simple fix actually paid off.

Yes, 86 degrees stable and 99mh/s+. If you are interested in purchasing some thermal pads or
would like any recommendations regarding paste or pads, please send any questions to
capmobiletech@gmail.com. Thank you for your support.