Could use advice on Ati x1900 xt with defective spring pin that does not hold heatsink down

[thestain]

What in the world is this narrow heatsink keeping cool? Do I need to be concerned? Should I try to fix or has too much damage potentially been done as it has been running for six months without heatsink doing its job.

Due to Ati repair or replace policy not to give out spring pins or anything related to fixing card yourself.. is it worth it to rma and pay shipping for card that is probably now worth less than half what I paid for it originally?

No problems yet, but card is 6 months old and when I saw that it was heatsink was loose, never really connected to board all this time, i got worried.. need I be worried?

Once again this is the thin red heatsink on the Radeon 1900 XT card that is toward the front of the case and is a little over a quarter inch wide going from the top of card to the bottom and it has been loose for a while.

Thanks for any input.

Mike

 

[Matt2]

It cools the voltage regulator.

When the regulator overheats you're likely to have your screen go blank and lose signal, but the comp will not have crashed.

 

[Raider1284]

use it as a excuse to get a newer card

you could get some of that heatsink tape to hold the heatsink onto the regulator. It won't be as efficient as paste and springs but it should get the job done.

 

[Fraggable]

It really should be connected to the chips below it, they get really hot.

I suggest you do away with the 2 posts with springs that are holding it on, and buy some thermal tape. Stick it directly to the chips with the tape. Should hold it on and give them the cooling they need.

 

[rise]

or check fs/ft or "i wanna" forums.