Installing an XG7 RX, any gotchas or tips or bonuses?

[magarity]

I got a 6800 XT in Thursday's AMD batch and ordered the matching XG7 waterblock. I watched the video on how to install the thing in preparation but I thought I'd ask here if there are any hidden tricks or tips from anyone who has already put one together.

Also from the video I noticed the backplate has no thermal tape or anything, just indentations for some of the chips on the backside of the pcb. So does it help to add tape anywhere? If so, what thickness?

Thanks for any pointers!

[LeDoyen]

if there's no thermal pads on the backplate side you'll have to experiment with thicknesses to find the right one depending on the position.

I don't think it should be necessary. GDDR6 doesn't run as hot as GDDR6X, and the VRM is already cooled by the waterblock on the other side.

Better keep it simple for your first waterblock installation, it's already stressful enough when you take a screwdriver to a xxxx $ card 😛