Thought I’d post my experience on using Ali Express PTM7950 and Upsiren 1mm 21W Thermal Pads on Vram. Before PTM7950 with stock paste the gpu would be at 2814MHZ GPU and 2514MHZ Memory and Hotspot would max out at about 90-93C running Time Spy Default.
After at 2914MHZ GPU and 2700MHZ Memory with 24C Ambient at 3 Days i get 78.7C Hotspot running default Time Spy. Since then its dropped a little bit more with a screw tightening. I bought the 80x80 as it took a couple tries to get it right but think it would be easier next time. Definately put in fridge for an hour 1st as its like peeling off one of those kids tatoo transfers very thin.
7900XT after PTM7950 and Upsiren 1mm Thermal Pads on Vram bought from AliExpress
The fact that you pay about $800 for the pleasure of taking a cooler off of the expensive GPU is insane. I very much regret my 7900XT Merc 310 purchase. It stays cool enough on the Stock BIOS (hits 99c Junction regularly on the overclocked BIOS with a 35c delta), but it’ll be a while before I consider an AMD GPU again. XFX was actually really great about an RMA, but within a month I was in the same spot. And, due to this BS I will not be able to easily sell it for an upgrade/sidegrade.
I can understand where you are coming from but i can’t say i am unhappy with my purchase. RTX 4090’s have been having alot of problems with melting power connectors and Nvidia especially where i live are considerably more expensive. I can only imagine if Nvidia had no competition from AMD you would have to sell a kidney just to play video games. Cheapest major brand 4080 in Australia is 1900$AUD/1236$US where the Merc 7900XT was 1349$AUD/878$US.
Why do you regret it? I have the same GPU and no issues. Genuinely curious.
My temps are pretty decent. I would say 89 max hot spot. General temps 65-69. I have good airflow though. (lian li lancool)