Igor’s Lab has received a statement from PowerColor that can confirm some of its Red Devil AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX graphics cards may exhibit higher than normal temperatures due to a manufacturing oversight. The issue seems to stem from the way that the thermal compound was applied, which, per an investigation from Igor Wallossek, suggests potential discrepancies of up to a “full 30 Kelvin temperature difference.” PowerColor has confirmed that it is looking into the problem with the Red Devil AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX, which features an MSRP of $1,099.99.
“We have identified an issue on our production line where some of the cards are experiencing higher hot spot temperatures than usual,” reads the statement that PowerColor sent to Igor’s Lab. “We verified that this happens to a small percentage of the total output and we are already in the process of replacing the thermal grease. With the new input from IgorLabs we are also verifying if changing the way we mount the cooler onto the card adds to improved thermal performance . We are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible to ensure that our customers receive only the highest quality products. If anyone is experiencing this issue, please reach out to info@powercolor.com.”
From an Igor’s Lab report:
A full 30 Kelvin temperature difference (delta) between the two temperatures is nothing to bring tears of joy to your face. On the contrary, that’s simply way too much. While the MBA card (AMD reference) of the RX 7900XTX shines with 18 to 19 Kelvin and the Sapphire Nitro+ Vapor-X is only just behind with 22 Kelvin (<20 Kelvin after repaste), here PowerColor has a very obvious problem. Because reaching the limit of 110 °C is not an isolated case, if I can believe all the feedback.
No, this must never leave the factory! Why this was implemented in the first place and apparently even meets PowerColor’s quality standards, I can neither answer nor understand from my point of view. This is inexcusable negligence and in the end also something like a planned obsolescence. A tip for PowerColor’s controlling: such RMA costs are a hard factor and the unavoidable image loss that comes along with such actions is a soft factor in the business microcosm. So you go bust faster than the COE can say pug without taking a breath.
