VRAM (memory module): These are the component heating up the most after the GPU die itself. They are the most critical components the thermal pads need to be fitted to.
Mosfet: typically a series of black rectangular modules. They are not generating major heat, but need some heat transfer medium to ensure longevity.
Power control modules: typically a series of relatively large grey rectangular modules protruding more than the rest. They do not generate much heat at all, and some GPU models do not even include thermal medium for these.
Solder points/microchip legs: they are not generating heat, but being metallic they do conduct some heat. Thermal medium is not need for them, unless used to also prevent accidental contact with other conductive surface/components.

Only the VRAM needs to be really well covered.

The other components just need a heat transfer path, but even a loose and/or partial contact would be good enough. It is normal that pieces of pads covering those components are not fully covering them, in an effort to keep the price of the sets reasonable. If you desire additional coverage, you should consider one of the thermal pad sheets we offer (thicknesses are offered in 0.25mm increments to meet most needs).

For all GPU custom sets, please first look at the pictures provided on the product page. These will show you the overall layout of the pads. Then look at specific directions and additional details provided on this page (scroll down to find the set you are interested in).

CLEAN your GPU THOROUGHLY before applying the new pads. Make sure that it is dry and free of debris before you put the new pads.

We recommend placing the pads on the components they cover directly, rather than on the heatsink, to ensure good positioning.

EVGA 2080Ti FTW3

There are many pads for this GPU model, so please read carefully over these directions before getting started.

Ignoring the very small square piece of pad, there are three strips of pads that are identical and shorter than other pieces. These three pieces go on the back of the PCB, as shown on the third picture on the product page. They cover the back of where the VRAM modules are.
The large square piece also goes on the back of the PCB, behind the core/die area.
The longest piece of pad goes on the "shroud" (cf. last picture on the product page), over the aluminum area.
The small square piece of pad goes on the front of the PCB, as per the second picture on the product page.
The longest remaining piece of pad goes on the front of the PCB, over the VRM (grey modules).
The longest remaining piece of pad goes on the front of the PCB, over the mosfets (black modules) towards the power connectors side.
The narrowest strip of pad remaining goes on the front of the PCB, on the mosfets towards the I/O ports.
Out of the remaining pads, three of them are identical, and a bit shorter and thicker than the others. These three identical pieces go on the front of the PCB on the VRAM.
The widest remaining pad goes on the shroud, towards the I/O side of it.
The narrowest remaining pad goes on the shroud, towards the PCI-e bus connector.
The remaining pad goes on the shroud towards the "upper" end.

EVGA 3070Ti FTW3

NOTE: In some of these sets the VRAM pads were manufactured too thick. A "fix-up" pack is included for those sets. USE THE VRAM PADS from the "FIX-UP" pack that is included.
Please refer to the product pictures (second images) to see the overall pad layout as you read through the directions below.

From the picture the pads positioning on the front of the PCB is straightforward.
No pads are provided for the back of the PCB.

EVGA 3080/3080Ti FTW3

Thin (1mm) and wide (10mm) stripes go on the grey power modules where EVGA used thermal putty, on both sides of the GPU die.
Thick (2.6-2.8mm) and narrow stripes go on the mosfets, on both sides of the GPU die.
VRAM pads (2.25mm) are self-explanatory.

EVGA 3080/3080Ti XC3

Thin (1mm) and wide (10mm) stripes go on the grey power modules where EVGA used thermal putty, on both sides of the GPU die. Both stripes are identical.
Thick (2.6-2.8mm) and narrow stripes go on the mosfets, on both sides of the GPU die. The one that is thinner, shorter and narrower goes on the side towards the PCIe power connector. The other stripe goes towards the I/O side.
VRAM pads (2.25mm) are self-explanatory.

EVGA 3080/3080Ti FTW3 - HYBRID

Thin (1mm) and wide (10mm) stripes go on the grey power modules where EVGA used thermal putty, on both sides of the GPU die.
Thick and narrow stripes go on the mosfets, on both sides of the GPU die.
VRAM pads (2.25mm) are self-explanatory.

EVGA 3090 FTW3

Thin (1mm) and wide (10mm) stripes go on the grey power modules where EVGA used thermal putty, on both sides of the GPU die.
Thick (2.6-2.8mm) and narrow stripes go on the mosfets, on both sides of the GPU die.
Thinner VRAM pads (2.25mm) go on the front side (i.e. die-side) of the PCB.
Thicker VRAM pads (2.5mm) are now black and go on the back side of the PCB.

EVGA 3090 XC3

Thin (1mm) and wide (10mm) stripes go on the grey power modules where EVGA used thermal putty, on both sides of the GPU die
Thick (2.6-2.8mm) and narrow stripes go on the mosfets, on both sides of the GPU die. The one that is thinner, shorter and narrower goes on the side towards the PCIe power connector. The other stripe goes towards the I/O side.
Thinner VRAM pads (2.25mm) go on the front side (i.e. die-side) of the PCB.
Thicker VRAM pads (2.5mm) are now black and go on the back side of the PCB .

EVGA 3090 FTW3 - HYBRID

Thin (1mm) and wide (10mm) stripes go on the grey power modules where EVGA used thermal putty, on both sides of the GPU die
Thick and narrow stripes go on the mosfets, on both sides of the GPU die.
Thinner VRAM pads (2.25mm) go on the front side (i.e. die-side) of the PCB.
Thicker VRAM pads (2.5mm) are now black and go on the back side of the PCB.

MSI 3080/3080Ti/3090 VENTUS 3X

NOTE: In some of the VENTUS sets the capacitor pads, for the two short rows were manufactured too thin. We are including additional pieces, taped to the side of the set, to be added to the pieces inside the set. SUPERPOSE these.

First, note that the same set is used on all three models: 3080, 3080Ti, 3090
All VRAM pads (pieces going next to the the core die, front and back) are the same thickness, so no risk mixing these.

There is one piece that could be confused with the VRAM pads. It can be easily identified as it is the only one that does not have an exact duplicate (i.e. all VRAM pieces come in pairs, one for the front of the PCB and one for the back of the PCB)

The two thickest (3mm) and narrowest (6mm) strips go on the back of the PCB.
The two small squares go towards the PCIe power connectors side, as shown on the product picture.
The two thinnest strips (1mm & 1.25mm) go on the mosfets (smaller black modules -- not the big bulky ones!). The shorter one goes towards the I/O plate side and the longer one towards the PCIe power connectors side.
Among the strips left, they all have the same thickness.

The two shortest ones cover the capacitors on the PCIe power connectors side. This is where you need to superpose the extra pieces (see note above) to achieve the desired thickness.
The two longest ones cover the capacitors and VRM on the PCIe power connectors side
The remaining three cover the two rows of capacitors and VRM on the I/O plate side.

There should be one piece left, which is the one going on the copper pipes on the back plate, as per the product picture.

MSI 3080/3080Ti/3090 GAMING X TRIO

First, note that the same set of pad is used across the 3080, 3080Ti and 3090 for that model.
Most green pads go on the front of the PCB and most black pads goes on the back of the PCB. There are a few exceptions, so please read carefully through the directions below. Also, please refer to the product pictures showing the pads layout.
The three widest green pads and the largest green square pad go on the VRAM modules on the front side of the PCB.
The two widest green pad strips (10 mm width) go on the VRM modules (grey rectangular modules) on the front side of the PCB.
Of the remaining green pad strips, three are thicker than the rest (two shortest ones and the longest one). They go on the capacitors (cylindrical components) on the front side of the PCB, towards the PCIe power connector end.
Out of the three remaining green pad strips, the longest one goes on the mosfets on the front side of the PCB, towards the PCIe power connector end.
The two remaining green pad strips are identical. They go on the two rows of modules (mosfet + others), immediately adjacent to the VRM row on the front side of the PCB, towards the I/O port end.
The longest black pad strip goes on the row of modules on the front side of the PCB towards the I/O ports end. This piece is located under an intermediary shroud/part.
Moving to the back side of the PCB...things get a bit more tricky:

The VRAM pads on the back had to me made of two layers because of the heat pipe design used my MSI on the backplate of the 3090 model. The product picture shows this superposed (i.e. on the picture, the wider VRAM pads are underneath the narrow pads). The two pad layers need to be used on both the 3080/3080Ti and 3090.
For the 3090, we highly recommend placing the pads on the backplate rather than back of PCB, as it will help ensuring proper positioning.
For the 3080/3080Ti, pads can be positioned either on the back of the PCB or on the backplate (we typically recommend placing them on the PCB directly). Because of the pad arrangement (i.e. the pads for the second layer are only half of the width of the first layer), the contact surface for the 3080/3080Ti will be less than with OEM pads. This is normal and not a problem: these pads are much higher conductivity than OEM pads and little heat gets dissipated through the back of the 3080/3080Ti models.

The two green pads squares go on the back of the PCB, as shown on the product pictures.
The two narrow black pads strips go on the backplate, right next to the heat pipe, of the "left" and "right" sides of the cutout, in the recessed space right at the edge of the cutout.

For the 3080/3080Ti models, positioning of these two strips is not as critical, and can be centered approximately without concern.

The two longest and widest black pads go over the heat pipe and and the narrow black pads placed in the previous step.

Note that if you place the pads on the back PCB instead of the backplate the order of the two previous steps is reversed: first place the wider black pads directly on the VRAM modules on the back of the PCB, and then place the narrower black pad strips on top of these pads, on the left/right VRAM pads (again, be careful these narrower pieces do not interfere with the heat pipe on the backplate -- which is a concern only for the 3090 models)

The two remaining black pads go on the remaining VRAM modules on the back of the PCB (or directly on the designated area on the backplate)

NVIDIA 3070Ti FE

Thinner pads go on the front of the PCB (die side), and the thicker ones go on the back
The three widest pieces go on the VRAM modules around the core/die area
The longest piece goes on the mosfets towards the I/O ports, on the front of the PCB
Of the remaining pieces, the two longest pieces (identical and thicker than the remaining ones) go on the mosfets towards the PCIe power connector, on the front of the PCB
The remaining three pieces go on the back of the PCB, as shown on the picture available on the product page.

NVIDIA 3080/3080Ti FE

The black pads go on the back of the PCB, following the layout shown in the product pictures on the website.
Of the two long strips, the shorter one goes on the mosfets towards the I/O plate.
The remaining long strip goes on the mosfets towards the "PCIe" power connector.
Now, regarding the VRAM pads:

If you have the older FE set (only 4 pieces for the VRAM pads), then just follow the layout shown on the product pictures
If you have the newer FE set (8 pieces for the VRAM pads - half of them 1.5 mm and half of them 0.4 mm), then:

Start by placing the four thickest pads (1.5mm) on the VRAM.
If you know you have a newer FE GPU model, then you can ignore the 0.4 mm pieces, and finish repadding.
If you know you have an older FE GPU model, then you can directly add the 0.4 mm pieces on top of the 1.5 mm pieces, and finish repadding.
If you are not sure, then only use the 1.5 mm pieces, and close the GPU. From there, two options:

You can either test the GPU and check the VRAM/memory temperatures. The memory temperature skyrockets to 110°C, then you have an older version of the FE, and will need to reopen to add the 0.4 mm pieces to achieve the proper thickness.
Alternately to testing the GPU, you can directly re-open the GPU (after having closed it up with all the screws properly tightened). When reopening, if there is clearly no sign of the VRAM pads contacting the cooler, then you will need to add the 0.4 mm pads to achieve the proper thickness. Usually, when there is good contact of the VRAM pads with the cooler, most of these pads will end up sticking to the cooler.

Note: once you figured out the proper arrangement of VRAM pads for your particular unit, you should apply some force and "wiggle" a bit the PCB againt the heatsink when putting the GPU back together. It will help with achieving a good core and pad contact. The screws on the FE do not seem to develop good-enough force on their own.

NVIDIA 3090 FE

The black pads go on the back of the PCB, following the layout shown in the product pictures on the website.
Of the two long strips, the shorter one goes on the mosfets towards the I/O plate.
The remaining long strip goes on the mosfets towards the "PCIe" power connector.
Now, regarding the VRAM pads:

If you have the older FE set (only 4 pieces for the VRAM pads), then just follow the layout shown on the product pictures
If you have the newer FE set (8 pieces for the VRAM pads - half of them 1.5 mm and half of them 0.4 mm), then:

Start by placing the four thickest pads (1.5mm) on the VRAM.
If you know you have a newer FE GPU model, then you can ignore the 0.4 mm pieces, and finish repadding.
If you know you have an older FE GPU model, then you can directly add the 0.4 mm pieces on top of the 1.5 mm pieces, and finish repadding.
If you are not sure, then only use the 1.5 mm pieces, and close the GPU. From there, two options:

You can either test the GPU and check the VRAM/memory temperatures. The memory temperature skyrockets to 110°C, then you have an older version of the FE, and will need to reopen to add the 0.4 mm pieces to achieve the proper thickness.
Alternately to testing the GPU, you can directly re-open the GPU (after having closed it up with all the screws properly tightened). When reopening, if there is clearly no sign of the VRAM pads contacting the cooler, then you will need to add the 0.4 mm pads to achieve the proper thickness. Usually, when there is good contact of the VRAM pads with the cooler, most of these pads will end up sticking to the cooler.

Note: once you figured out the proper arrangement of VRAM pads for your particular unit, you should apply some force and "wiggle" a bit the PCB againt the heatsink when putting the GPU back together. It will help with achieving a good core and pad contact. The screws on the FE do not seem to develop good-enough force on their own.

ASUS 2080Ti STRIX

Please start by checking the pictures on the product page; they show the pads layout (second and third pictures):

The three widest pads go on the VRAM. All three pieces are identical.
The longest pad goes on the MOSFETs towards the PCIe power connector on the front of the PCB.
The longest remaining pad goes on the MOSFETs towards the I/O ports on the front of the PCB.
The remaining four pads go on the intermediary shroud, as shown on the product-page picture.

ASUS 3080/3080Ti STRIX

NOTE: In some of the STRIX sets the VRAM pads were manufactured too thick. A "fix-up" pack is included for those sets. USE THE VRAM PADS from the "FIX-UP" pack that is included.

Please start by checking the pictures on the product page; they show the pads layout (second and third pictures):

The VRAM pads are the widest pieces.
The longest, thick and wide, green piece goes on the VRM towards the PCIe power connector on the front of the PCB.
The other long green piece (thinner and narrower than the one above) goes on the MOSFETs towards the PCIe power connector on the front of the PCB.
The longest remaining green piece (also thin and narrow), goes on the MOSFETs towards the I/O ports on the front of the PCB.
The two long black pieces go on the back of the PCB. They are the left-most and right-most pieces showed on the picture (product page).
The remaining green pieces (two small rectangles and a long, thin piece) go on the back of the PCB. It is self-explanatory from the picture (product page).

ASUS 3090 STRIX

NOTE: In some of the STRIX sets the VRAM pads were manufactured too thick. A "fix-up" pack is included for those sets. USE THE VRAM PADS from the "FIX-UP" pack that is included.

Please start by checking the pictures on the product page; they show the pads layout (second and third pictures):

The VRAM pads are the widest pieces. They are the same thickness for the front and back modules.
The longest, thick and wide, green piece goes on the VRM towards the PCIe power connector on the front of the PCB.
The other long green piece (thinner and narrower than the one above) goes on the MOSFETs towards the PCIe power connector on the front of the PCB.
The longest remaining green piece (also thin and narrow), goes on the MOSFETs towards the I/O ports on the front of the PCB.
The two long black pieces go on the back of the PCB. They are the left-most and right-most pieces showed on the picture (product page).
The remaining green pieces (two small rectangles and a long, thin piece) go on the back of the PCB. It is self-explanatory from the picture (product page).

ASUS 3070Ti TUF

First, note that the TUF has an intermediary heatsink/shroud between the PCB and the main heatsink. Look at the product pictures while reading through the directions below.

Second, the set does NOT include replacement pieces for the back of the PCB. We recommend keeping the OEM pads there, as they are sufficient.

The longest and narrowest strip goes on the MOSFETs on the end of the PCB that has the PCIe power connectors.
The other narrow (6mm) strip goes on the MOSFETs on the I/O end of the PCB.
The black pad goes on the VRM on the I/O end of the PCB.
The longest remaining green pad goes on the VRM on the end of the PCB that has the PCIe power connectors.
The three widest and thinnest pads, among those remaining, go on the VRAM.
The remaining two pads go on the intermediary shroud (see product picture for positioning).

ASUS 3080/3080Ti TUF

First, note that the TUF has an intermediary heatsink/shroud between the PCB and the main heatsink. Look at the product pictures while reading through the directions below.

Second, the set does NOT include replacement pieces for the back of the PCB. We recommend keeping the OEM pads there, as they are sufficient.

The longest and wide (10mm) strip goes on the VRM (grey modules) on the end of the PCB that has the PCIe power connectors.
The second longest but narrower (6mm) strip goes on the mosfets on the end of the PCB that has the PCIe power connectors.
The next longest strip, wide (10mm), goes on the VRM on the I/O end of the PCB.
The narrowest strip among those left (about the same length as the previous piece) goes on the mosfets on the I/O end of the PCB.
Among the pieces left, the four thinnest ones (1.65mm) are for the VRAM.
The two pieces left are the thickest of the set (3mm) and go on the intermediary heatsink/shroud. One is intended to go where there is a sticker from the manufacturer. REMOVE the sticker and clean the surface before applying the pad.

ASUS 3090 TUF

First, note that the TUF has an intermediary heatsink/shroud between the PCB and the main heatsink. Look at the product pictures while reading through the directions below.

Second, the set does not include replacement for the very thin, long, pieces of pads on the back of the PCB. We recommend keeping the OEM pads there, as they are sufficient.

The black pieces are to be used on the back of the PCB and are the VRAM pads.
The longest and wide (10mm) strip goes on the VRM (grey modules) on the end of the PCB that has the PCIe power connectors.
The second longest but narrower (6mm) strip goes on the mosfets on the end of the PCB that has the PCIe power connectors.
The next longest strip, wide (10mm), goes on the VRM on the I/O end of the PCB.
The narrowest strip among those left (about the same length as the previous piece) goes on the mosfets on the I/O end of the PCB.
Among the pieces left, the four thinnest ones (1.65mm) are for the VRAM.
The two pieces left are the thickest of the set (3mm) and go on the intermediary heatsink/shroud. One is intended to go where there is a sticker from the manufacturer. REMOVE the sticker and clean the surface before applying the pad.

GIGABYTE 3080/3080Ti GAMING/EAGLE/VISION

Please refer to the product pictures (second and third images) to see the overall pad layout as you read through the directions below.

The four widest and thickest pieces go on the VRAM.
All other pieces are using 1mm thickness, it is pretty straightforward from there when looking at the "front PCB" picture on the product page
The two widest strips go on the VRM (grey modules).
The two other long strips go on the mosfets.
The shortest strip goes on the modules right behind the I/O ports.

Additional notes:

The manufacturer includes three, somewhat large, pieces of pad on the back of the PCB. They serve very limited cooling purpose (about 1 degree difference observed when removing them without replacing them), but are large piece. They are therefore not included in this set as to avoid driving up the cost. You should keep the OEM pieces. Alternately, you could cut them our from an additional pad sheet. You would need 3mm for it (or two layers of 1.5mm, or any other combination of thickness getting you to 3mm).

GIGABYTE 3080/3080Ti AORUS XTREME/MASTER

Please refer to the product pictures (second and third images) to see the overall pad layout as you read through the directions below.

Ignoring the large square piece, the four widest pads go on the VRAM on the front of the PCB.
The next two widest pads, plus the large square piece, go on the back of the PCB. The position is self-explanatory from the pictures.
The next two widest pads go on the VRM on the front of the PCB.
The two shortest pads (identical) go on the condensers towards the PCIe power connectors, on the front of the PCB.
Of the five remaining pieces, the two longest ones (identical) go on the mosfet and condensers on the PCIe power connectors side.
Of the three remaining pieces, the longest one goes on the row of modules between the VRAM and VRM, towards the I/O side.
The two remaining pieces (identical) go on the mosfets and row of modules right next to the I/O ports.

GIGABYTE 3090 GAMING/EAGLE/VISION

Please refer to the product pictures (second and third images) to see the overall pad layout as you read through the directions below.

The four widest and thickest pieces go on the VRAM.
All other pieces are using 1mm thickness, it is pretty straightforward from there when looking at the "front PCB" picture on the product page
The two widest strips go on the VRM (grey modules).
The two other long strips go on the mosfets.
The shortest strip goes on the modules right behind the I/O ports.

GIGABYTE 3090 AORUS XTREME/MASTER

Please refer to the product pictures (second and third images) to see the overall pad layout as you read through the directions below.

The four black pieces go on the VRAM on the back of the PCB
Ignoring the large square piece, the four widest pads go on the VRAM on the front of the PCB.
The next two widest pads, plus the large square piece, go on the back of the PCB. The position is self-explanatory from the pictures.
The next two widest pads go on the VRM on the front of the PCB.
The two shortest pads (identical) go on the condensers towards the PCIe power connectors, on the front of the PCB.
Of the five remaining pieces, the two longest ones (identical) go on the mosfet and condensers on the PCIe power connectors side.
Of the three remaining pieces, the longest one goes on the row of modules between the VRAM and VRM, towards the I/O side.
The two remaining pieces (identical) go on the mosfets and row of modules right next to the I/O ports.

ZOTAC 3080/3080Ti Amp Holo and Trinity

Please refer to the product pictures (second and third images) to see the overall pad layout as you read through the directions below.

Pad placement is self-explanatory from the product page pictures
All of the green pads go on the front of the PCB
All of the black pads go on the back of the PCB

PNY A2000

No set exists for this GPU given how simple the pads layout and required thicknesses are!!
All you need is the following, only using 1.5mm pads:

One piece: 52mm x 16mm x 1.5 mm
One piece: 28mm x 16mm x 1.5mm

PNY A4000

COMING SOON

PNY 3080/3080Ti/3090 REVEL

COMING SOON

PALIT 3080/3080Ti/3090 GAMING

COMING SOON