After Market Cooler Mk13

[alanwest09872]

Ok as the title states I have the after market cooler mk13. it came with heatsinks that after I applied them the sticky stuff that held them on fell off so now the heatsinks are no longer on the card. Can I just buy double sided tape (white sticky on both sides same as the stuff on the heatsinks except a little bit thicker) Can I just use that stuff to reapply or do I have to go out and buy special double sided tape to make this work.

 

[SHAQ]

You could buy some Artic Silver Ceramique if you don't mind it being irreversible. Of course you would have to order it. I'm pretty sure you can use a glue on the back of the heatsink. One that can withstand 180F and is not flammable should work. Some glues are flammable until they dry.

 

[alanwest09872]

I'm not looking for anything 100 percent perminent. So does that mean walmart special double sided tap wont work.

The hottest it gets is up to 80c not sure what that is in F though.

 

[SHAQ]

I don't know. Search some other forums and see if anyone else has tried it. I would use a drop of super glue and let it dry overnight if I had nothing else. 80C is close to 180F.

 

[CurseTheSky]

You want thermal tape, normal double-sided tape won't conduct heat very well. Most thermal tape will only stick "ok" at best, and will eventually fall off, though. The trick is to make sure the surface you're mounting it to is absolutely clean. Scrub the memory ICs and VRMs thoroughly with 90%+ rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth (coffee filter works well) before applying the tape.

Your only other good option is a thermal epoxy (like SHAQ mentioned above - Arctic Silver Alumina is a good example), but that's a permanent solution.

 

[alanwest09872]

Thermal tape ok thats good to know.

Now one more quick question. Will opening up a video card void the warranty. Like in a year from now if I had to replace this card could I put the outside back on and send it in for repairs.

 

[alanwest09872]

Is it called thermal tape. I tried to find it on newegg but couldnt find anything with the name thermal tape. Or can I use thermal compund is that sticky. I'm not sure if it is or not

 

[zagood]

Now one more quick question. Will opening up a video card void the warranty. Like in a year from now if I had to replace this card could I put the outside back on and send it in for repairs.

Depends on the manufacturer. EVGA is fine with it as long as you don't damage the original heatsink/shroud to get it off. Same with XFX. You also have to have registered your card (usually within 14-30 days). Check your manufacturer's warranty page.

 

[alanwest09872]

Thanks zagood.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

You could buy some Artic Silver Ceramique if you don't mind it being irreversible. Of course you would have to order it. I'm pretty sure you can use a glue on the back of the heatsink. One that can withstand 180F and is not flammable should work. Some glues are flammable until they dry.

Ceramique is not an adhesive, so it won't be permanent, you're probably thinking of Arctic Alumina thermal adhesive.

Granted, I have found Ceramique to be sticky enough to use on those tiny ram heatsinks.

 

[SHAQ]

Maybe it was Alumina that I used on my 8800GT VRM heatsinks. I forgot. Alumina is the one that requires mixing isn't it?

The heatsinks with my old thermalright didn't have a pad on it just an adhesive with a peel off strip and they held well. So there must be a type of glue/adhesive that will work without tape. I would think it would cool even better if there weren't a pad between the RAM and heatsink.

 

[ElFenix]

thermal compound can be pretty darn sticky due to vacuum. i yanked a processor out of it's socket trying to get the heat sink off not too long ago.