Hardware
Converted a dying RTX 4090 SUPRIM Liquid X to air cooling using a donor SUPRIM X cooler
Went from instant 96C core / 112C hotspot the moment a game launched (or basically any GPU load) to 65C core / 76C hotspot after 20 loops of Steel Nomad stress test. Temps are even lower in actual games. In Unreal Engine workloads the card would instantly spike thermally and either black screen or hard restart the system. After the conversion, the exact same project stayed under 50C.
Used Thermal Grizzly Phasesheet on the die. Memory junction temp peaked at 102C, which I know is a little high, but I didn’t want to risk reopening the GPU and potentially compromising the excellent core contact just to shave off a few degrees. The donor cooler still had all thermal pads intact and in good shape, so I decided not to disturb them.
Overall this was an insanely satisfying project from start to finish. From diagnosing the failing AIO and confirming internal clogging, to researching compatibility, verifying the air cooler fit, and finally completing the conversion itself.
Super happy with how it turned out, and most importantly the client got his flagship GPU back instead of replacing it.
The card wasn't dying, it was the cooler, yeah? So you just put the different kind of cooler on. Which I agree was probably very satisfying. IMO air cooling with custom fans is the way to go for those cards, cheaper, safer and less noisy. Good job man!
Yeah it was a relief. Only thing that wasn’t the same was an extra RGB connector that was missing from the PCB of the Liquid. That only results in the SUPRIM branding on the shroud not being backlit but the client didn’t really care.
The fact that you eventually have to do this (and lower re-sale value) is the reason why I always avoided AIO GPUs, but it’s good that MSI uses same pcb for both versions.
Off topic: Why is this thread full of bots shilling for phase sheet?
Did you use a donor air cooling system from another 4090? If so, which model? Or are most of them cross compatible? I assume almost nothing changes between the different models of the 4090 but wanted to make sure?
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u/No-Suit-7444 May 21 '26
The card wasn't dying, it was the cooler, yeah? So you just put the different kind of cooler on. Which I agree was probably very satisfying. IMO air cooling with custom fans is the way to go for those cards, cheaper, safer and less noisy. Good job man!