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The RTX 5090 Founders Edition nearly ties between thermal paste and liquid metal in performance, with a mere 2°C temperature rise observed when switching from Arctic MX-6 to stock liquid metal. Despite this slight improvement, the difference is often overshadowed by cooler design limitations. Nvidia’s throttling point increase to 83°C offers potential for higher operating temps without crashes but isn’t guaranteed. The protective seal around the GPU die enhances longevity of liquid metal, making replacement with thermal paste less urgent unless long-term use is a priority.
While thermal paste proves useful in specific scenarios, cooler design remains a more impactful factor in overall performance.
Source: https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/rtx-5090-runs-2-c-hotter-with-thermal-paste-than-liquid-metal-arctic-mx-6-vs-stock-lm-tested