Problematic VRM pads? Need assistance.
Problematic VRM pads? Need assistance.
Uncertain about the situation, I've been observing this for a couple of months. I've been using isopropyl alcohol to clean the nearby VRM heatsinks. It seems fine for about a month or two before it starts to return. Do you have any suggestions? I’m hoping this isn’t a sign that the motherboard is time to replace. It looks like it’s around two years old now. Thanks in advance.
After cleaning the area around the VRMs, I noticed a few small spots elsewhere, but I couldn't reach them. The back surface was also clean, though I didn’t capture a photo to document it.
It seems likely the issue stems from surface mount soldering and repeated heating cycles, though I wouldn't be surprised if it persists after two years.
I'm trying to figure out what's happening here. People have mentioned a leaky thermal pad or maybe the thermal paste on the pads themselves. It seems like MSI might be doing something similar with their boards. I've noticed some wet residue or oil on EVGA graphics cards, and others suggest it's related to the thermal pads they use. I've cleaned the areas around the VRMs and behind the board multiple times, but the issue keeps returning. After a stress test with Prime95 and waiting ten minutes, the MOS temperature dropped to around 84°C. Once I stopped the test, it fell quickly to about 48°C.
Is this an overclocked 9900K putting the VRM under heavy strain? At 84% load it's getting quite hot!
Nope stock lol. Well to be fair... My AC broke yesterday and getting a new one today. So the MOS temp is with no AC in the house lol. Even then, stress testing brings the MOS temp I think to 60ish. 84 is high I agree, but even 60ish shouldn't be a problem. I hear these VRM's can run at 100 degree's with no ill signs. So what type of cheap thermal pads did MSI put on this $400 board If that's the issue, which seems like it is.
If it hasn't occurred since the beginning, it isn't flux. This likely began during the initial heat cycle. The 84 value is fine, just a bit above standard. A 60s setup with typical room temperature for ambient would be more acceptable according to a MEG ACE grade board. Leaching from thermal pads is common, especially with higher performance pads than cheaper ones. I remember it often comes up with Philips.
My board uses an MSI MEG Z390 ACE, and I'm worried about damaging the thermal pads while cleaning the tiny heatsinks for the VRMs. I've cleaned it before and it still came back, so maybe it's okay? I think isopropyl alcohol can remove the thermal paste, but I'm not sure how it affects the pads. Could the alcohol seep under the VRMs or thermal pad quickly? It dries fast, so it might not be a big problem.
You might have just looked it up online. Some thermal pads do leak, but it’s not a big deal. Fixing it takes only a few seconds, so spending time searching wouldn’t have helped much.