Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5080 “AORUS Master”: Thermal Gel Leakage After One Month of Use

Recently, users of NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5080 have reported alarming cases of “thermal gel”leakage in the Gigabyte AORUS MASTER ICE variant, occurring within just a month of its initial usage.

Leaks from Gigabyte’s GeForce RTX 5080 Thermal Gel Raise Concerns Over Quality Assurance

As issues with NVIDIA’s RTX 50 series continue to surface, the latest problem appears to stem from Gigabyte, one of NVIDIA’s AIB partners, rather than NVIDIA itself. A user on QuasarZone reported that their Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5080 has developed a significant leakage of thermal gel, which has apparently liquefied and is migrating toward the PCIe riser. This situation is not only surprising but also raises serious concerns about the reliability of such a premium graphics card model.

Diagram of thermal gel leakage issue — Image Credits: QuasarZone

The thermal gel in question is designed to replace traditional thermal pads and, according to Gigabyte, is categorized as a “server-grade”gel, which should be non-fluid. The user’s report suggests a defect in the gel itself, as such an issue should typically arise only after prolonged use. However, with just one month of ownership, this malfunction strongly indicates a lapse in quality control by the AIB partner. Notably, the user had mounted their GPU vertically throughout its use, a factor that may have contributed to the thermal gel’s leakage.

Considering the hefty price tag of over $1, 500 for this GPU, encountering such a defect is understandably frustrating for users. Thankfully, the distributor for Gigabyte responded swiftly to the concerns raised. Discussions are ongoing with Gigabyte to formulate a strategy for addressing this newly identified issue, especially since there are currently no established guidelines regarding “thermal gel leakage.”

Although the thermal gel is not electrically conductive, it poses a risk of damaging components if not addressed promptly. A continued leak towards the PCIe riser could obstruct connections and lead to further complications.

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