Gigabyte has recently addressed concerns about a “thermal gel” leakage problem with its RTX 50 series graphics cards, specifically in early production batches. The issue revolves around the liquid flowing toward the PCIe connection on some GeForce RTX 5080 GPUs, attributed to Gigabyte’s thermal conductivity gel used instead of traditional thermal pads.
In a statement, Gigabyte confirmed the problem stemmed from using a slightly higher volume of gel to ensure adequate thermal coverage. This overapplication led to the gel extending beyond its designated area, presenting a cosmetic anomaly rather than a functional defect. Even with this noticeable gel presence, Gigabyte assures users that the performance, reliability, and lifespan of the GPU remain uncompromised.
The company has since refined the application process in subsequent production runs to prevent excess gel from being applied. Additionally, Gigabyte emphasizes that the gel is robust, capable of withstanding temperatures up to 150°C before becoming a fluid, indicating that the gel itself isn’t faulty.
Despite the assurance that this issue affects appearance only, Gigabyte has not clarified whether this leakage is protected under warranty, as the company identifies it as a manufacturer oversight. However, Gigabyte has promised that future GPUs will not encounter this issue because of adjustments made to the gel quantity in new units.
