Sticky residue on brand new graphics card?

The ratio of flux to solder, where excess residue remains on the board and components, indicate a higher than normal amount of flux . Believe it or not that "goop" functions as a cleaning agent during the soldering process. It strips off and displaces contaminants at the contact point,thereby creating a cleaner surface for the solder to achieve a more pure weld with the components. The residual stuff to some degree is beneficial. It forms a wax-like seal over the exposed metals in the board minimizing oxidation and just as important, insulates and prevents the components from arcing out when that little layer of dust inevitably settles over the card. There are a multitude of possibilities as to what might have caused it in this instance. The manufacturer had a poorly adjusted machine or more probable, in these trying times,received a batch from a vendor that had just a little bit more cut in it.You did remedy the matter correctly; Just be certain its dry before installation .