Eek...one of the RAM heatsinks fell off

[SLCentral]

I was working inside of my PC today, organizing cables and the like, and when putting my 7800GTX back into the case, I noticed that the RAM heatsink located directly to the right of the main cooler/core was loose. Appararantly, one of the springs had launched off b/c the plastic piece holding it snapped in half. I'm not sure HOW this happened, but now the RAM heatsink is kind of dangling there. It's still held in place by the other spring, but not so well.

Being the risque guy I am D), I booted into Windows. The card is at 50 degrees C, the same as it always is (this is idling). Should I worry about this, and go get a 3rd-party cooler (which I was planning on doing eventually), or is it okay as is?

 

[BigCoolJesus]

Originally posted by: SLCentral
I was working inside of my PC today, organizing cables and the like, and when putting my 7800GTX back into the case, I noticed that the RAM heatsink located directly to the right of the main cooler/core was loose. Appararantly, one of the springs had launched off b/c the plastic piece holding it snapped in half. I'm not sure HOW this happened, but now the RAM heatsink is kind of dangling there. It's still held in place by the other spring, but not so well.

Being the risque guy I am D), I booted into Windows. The card is at 50 degrees C, the same as it always is (this is idling). Should I worry about this, and go get a 3rd-party cooler (which I was planning on doing eventually), or is it okay as is?

It should be fine as it is, so you dont need to rush into buying a new cooler yet



If you should notice small artifacts or glitches in picture during gaming or other intensive (heat producing tasks), then yes, you do need to get a new cooler/fix the heatsink

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: BigCoolJesus

Originally posted by: SLCentral
I was working inside of my PC today, organizing cables and the like, and when putting my 7800GTX back into the case, I noticed that the RAM heatsink located directly to the right of the main cooler/core was loose. Appararantly, one of the springs had launched off b/c the plastic piece holding it snapped in half. I'm not sure HOW this happened, but now the RAM heatsink is kind of dangling there. It's still held in place by the other spring, but not so well.

Being the risque guy I am D), I booted into Windows. The card is at 50 degrees C, the same as it always is (this is idling). Should I worry about this, and go get a 3rd-party cooler (which I was planning on doing eventually), or is it okay as is?

It should be fine as it is, so you dont need to rush into buying a new cooler yet



If you should notice small artifacts or glitches in picture during gaming or other intensive (heat producing tasks), then yes, you do need to get a new cooler/fix the heatsink

Thanks!

 

[RichUK]

Are sure it's not the MOSfet heatsink as seen in this pick HERE, (the black heatsink at the bottom right of the card), this has nothing to do with the GFX cards memory cooling. As if it is, then this could be become a serious issue, and cause probable damage to the cards power regulators. The temperature reported in the nVidia graphics control panel, only reports the GPU temperature by the way.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: RichUK
Are sure it's not the MOSfet heatsink as seen in this pick HERE, (the black heatsink at the bottom right of the card), this has nothing to do with the GFX cards memory cooling. As if it is, then this could be become a serious issue, and cause probable damage to the cards power regulators. The temperature reported in the nVidia graphics control panel, only reports the GPU temperature by the way.

Eek...yeah, its that one.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: RichUK
Are sure it's not the MOSfet heatsink as seen in this pick HERE, (the black heatsink at the bottom right of the card), this has nothing to do with the GFX cards memory cooling. As if it is, then this could be become a serious issue, and cause probable damage to the cards power regulators. The temperature reported in the nVidia graphics control panel, only reports the GPU temperature by the way.

Eek...yeah, its that one.

Should I not use the computer?

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: RichUK
Are sure it's not the MOSfet heatsink as seen in this pick HERE, (the black heatsink at the bottom right of the card), this has nothing to do with the GFX cards memory cooling. As if it is, then this could be become a serious issue, and cause probable damage to the cards power regulators. The temperature reported in the nVidia graphics control panel, only reports the GPU temperature by the way.

Eek...yeah, its that one.

Should I not use the computer?

Have you got any Cable ties/Zip ties to temporary secure it? If so, looking at the picture I have provided (the link), try to secure the heatsink by threading the cable tie through the hole in the board and heatsink, and tighten vertically, (this is very cowboy but it needs cooling, so this should hopefully temporarily hold it), and yes heatsinks are there for a reason and in this case is most definitely needed.

I would see if this could be RMA'ed, not sure if its possible (you could always bend the truth a bit, since its only a simply heatsink connector, or just pay to have it repaired). You don?t want to bork you whole board now do you, so play it safe and get it repaired, unless you fancy purchasing another GFX card if something goes faulty.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: RichUK

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: RichUK
Are sure it's not the MOSfet heatsink as seen in this pick HERE, (the black heatsink at the bottom right of the card), this has nothing to do with the GFX cards memory cooling. As if it is, then this could be become a serious issue, and cause probable damage to the cards power regulators. The temperature reported in the nVidia graphics control panel, only reports the GPU temperature by the way.

Eek...yeah, its that one.

Should I not use the computer?

Have you got any Cable ties/Zip ties to temporary secure it? If so, looking at the picture I have provided (the link), try to secure the heatsink by threading the cable tie through the hole in the board and heatsink, and tighten vertically, (this is very cowboy but it needs cooling, so this should hopefully temporarily hold it), and yes heatsinks are there for a reason and in this case is most definitely needed.

I would see if this could be RMA'ed, not sure if its possible (you could always bend the truth a bit, since its only a simply heatsink connector, or just pay to have it repaired). You don?t want to bork you whole board now do you, so play it safe and get it repaired, unless you fancy purchasing another GFX card if something goes faulty.

Crap...I guess I'll go with the ties...does a after-market cooler replace this heatsink as well? And, until then, can I use the computer normally, or should I use it minimally?

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: RichUK

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: RichUK
Are sure it's not the MOSfet heatsink as seen in this pick HERE, (the black heatsink at the bottom right of the card), this has nothing to do with the GFX cards memory cooling. As if it is, then this could be become a serious issue, and cause probable damage to the cards power regulators. The temperature reported in the nVidia graphics control panel, only reports the GPU temperature by the way.

Eek...yeah, its that one.

Should I not use the computer?

Have you got any Cable ties/Zip ties to temporary secure it? If so, looking at the picture I have provided (the link), try to secure the heatsink by threading the cable tie through the hole in the board and heatsink, and tighten vertically, (this is very cowboy but it needs cooling, so this should hopefully temporarily hold it), and yes heatsinks are there for a reason and in this case is most definitely needed.

I would see if this could be RMA'ed, not sure if its possible (you could always bend the truth a bit, since its only a simply heatsink connector, or just pay to have it repaired). You don?t want to bork you whole board now do you, so play it safe and get it repaired, unless you fancy purchasing another GFX card if something goes faulty.

Crap...I guess I'll go with the ties...does a after-market cooler replace this heatsink as well?

Unfortunately not. The Arctic cooler "NV Silencer 5 (Rev. 3)" aftermarket heatsink, is one of the most regarded and thorough aftermarket 7800 heatsinks available, and does not replace this particular heatsink, its just a solution for the GPU and memory cooling. Which if you look closely at this pic HERE, you will notice that the black heatsink is still present. So the answer is no, also I don?t believe there to be any after market solutions for this particular heatsink.

I would try by any safe means to temporarily secure it until you can get it properly fixed replaced etc. Remember that metal conducts electricity so be careful what you use to try and secure it back down (hence why I suggested cable ties).

I wouldn?t recommend any heavy use what so ever without it being sufficiently cooled!!!

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: RichUK

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: RichUK

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: RichUK
Are sure it's not the MOSfet heatsink as seen in this pick HERE, (the black heatsink at the bottom right of the card), this has nothing to do with the GFX cards memory cooling. As if it is, then this could be become a serious issue, and cause probable damage to the cards power regulators. The temperature reported in the nVidia graphics control panel, only reports the GPU temperature by the way.

Eek...yeah, its that one.

Should I not use the computer?

Have you got any Cable ties/Zip ties to temporary secure it? If so, looking at the picture I have provided (the link), try to secure the heatsink by threading the cable tie through the hole in the board and heatsink, and tighten vertically, (this is very cowboy but it needs cooling, so this should hopefully temporarily hold it), and yes heatsinks are there for a reason and in this case is most definitely needed.

I would see if this could be RMA'ed, not sure if its possible (you could always bend the truth a bit, since its only a simply heatsink connector, or just pay to have it repaired). You don?t want to bork you whole board now do you, so play it safe and get it repaired, unless you fancy purchasing another GFX card if something goes faulty.

Crap...I guess I'll go with the ties...does a after-market cooler replace this heatsink as well?

Unfortunately not. The Arctic cooler "NV Silencer 5 (Rev. 3)" aftermarket heatsink, is one of the most regarded and thorough aftermarket 7800 heatsinks available, and does not replace this particular heatsink, its just a solution for the GPU and memory cooling. Which if you look closely at this pic HERE, you will notice that the black heatsink is still present. So the answer is no, also I don?t believe there to be any after market solutions for this particular heatsink.

I would try by any safe means to temporarily secure it until you can get it properly fixed replaced etc. Remember that metal conducts electricity so be careful what you use to try and secure it back down (hence why I suggested cable ties).

I wouldn?t recommend any heavy use what so ever without it being sufficiently cooled!!!

Okay, I tied it down with a cable tie, and it looks to be making great connectivity. My last concern is of fire damage...whats the chance of the cable tie lighting from the heat? Can we confidently say that there is no chance of that happening?

I take it I shouldn't game until I get this fixed? .

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: RichUK

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: RichUK

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: RichUK
Are sure it's not the MOSfet heatsink as seen in this pick HERE, (the black heatsink at the bottom right of the card), this has nothing to do with the GFX cards memory cooling. As if it is, then this could be become a serious issue, and cause probable damage to the cards power regulators. The temperature reported in the nVidia graphics control panel, only reports the GPU temperature by the way.

Eek...yeah, its that one.

Should I not use the computer?

Have you got any Cable ties/Zip ties to temporary secure it? If so, looking at the picture I have provided (the link), try to secure the heatsink by threading the cable tie through the hole in the board and heatsink, and tighten vertically, (this is very cowboy but it needs cooling, so this should hopefully temporarily hold it), and yes heatsinks are there for a reason and in this case is most definitely needed.

I would see if this could be RMA'ed, not sure if its possible (you could always bend the truth a bit, since its only a simply heatsink connector, or just pay to have it repaired). You don?t want to bork you whole board now do you, so play it safe and get it repaired, unless you fancy purchasing another GFX card if something goes faulty.

Crap...I guess I'll go with the ties...does a after-market cooler replace this heatsink as well?

Unfortunately not. The Arctic cooler "NV Silencer 5 (Rev. 3)" aftermarket heatsink, is one of the most regarded and thorough aftermarket 7800 heatsinks available, and does not replace this particular heatsink, its just a solution for the GPU and memory cooling. Which if you look closely at this pic HERE, you will notice that the black heatsink is still present. So the answer is no, also I don?t believe there to be any after market solutions for this particular heatsink.

I would try by any safe means to temporarily secure it until you can get it properly fixed replaced etc. Remember that metal conducts electricity so be careful what you use to try and secure it back down (hence why I suggested cable ties).

I wouldn?t recommend any heavy use what so ever without it being sufficiently cooled!!!

Okay, I tied it down with a cable tie, and it looks to be making great connectivity. My last concern is of fire damage...whats the chance of the cable tie lighting from the heat? Can we confidently say that there is no chance of that happening?

I take it I shouldn't game until I get this fixed? .

I would be reluctant to game just in case, but if it is making good contact then you?ll have to be the judge of that. Im pretty confident almost positive that it wont get that hot to cause any damage to the cable tie etc etc, it will just be slightly warm if at all, so don?t worry about that. I would still recommend that you get this properly fixed, as this is just considered a temporary fix.

 

[slpaulson]

I'd find some thermal epoxy if I were you.

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: cRazYdood
I'd find some thermal epoxy if I were you.

ahh good shout, why didnt i think of that. :thumbsup:

This is the best solution if not looking to get it properly repaired, its a good substitute aswell.

Obviously once you can get a hold of some being xmas and all. The cable tie will have to do for now

 

[hans030390]

I'd look into the Zalman VF700 CU as an aftermarket cooler (really easy to install) OR one of the NV silencers (not sure which works though). Not only would that help temps, but it would fix your current heatsink problems.

 

[Cheezeit]

Its just a ram sink, no big deal...

Like someone has said, only spend the money if you really start to notice glitches and such. You will be fine with a case with nice airflow.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: Cheezeit
Its just a ram sink, no big deal...

Like someone has said, only spend the money if you really start to notice glitches and such. You will be fine with a case with nice airflow.

The thing is that it is not just a RAM sink, its the MOSFET, which controls the power regulation. That, obviously, can cause some damage if not cooled right.

Originally posted by: RichUK

Originally posted by: cRazYdood
I'd find some thermal epoxy if I were you.

ahh good shout, why didnt i think of that. :thumbsup:

This is the best solution if not looking to get it properly repaired, its a good substitute aswell.

Obviously once you can get a hold of some being xmas and all. The cable tie will have to do for now

Can't say I'm too familiar with thermal epoxy ...care to shed some light?

 

[BigCoolJesus]

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: Cheezeit
Its just a ram sink, no big deal...

Like someone has said, only spend the money if you really start to notice glitches and such. You will be fine with a case with nice airflow.

The thing is that it is not just a RAM sink, its the MOSFET, which controls the power regulation. That, obviously, can cause some damage if not cooled right.

Originally posted by: RichUK

Originally posted by: cRazYdood
I'd find some thermal epoxy if I were you.

ahh good shout, why didnt i think of that. :thumbsup:

This is the best solution if not looking to get it properly repaired, its a good substitute aswell.

Obviously once you can get a hold of some being xmas and all. The cable tie will have to do for now

Can't say I'm too familiar with thermal epoxy ...care to shed some light?

It does the same as thermal paste (in that it transfers heat and all that good stuff), but it also acts as a glue, holds the heatsink to the chip without any other help (ie, no clamps or push buttons)

it works really good

 

[thescreensavers]

Warrenty?

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: BigCoolJesus

Originally posted by: SLCentral

Originally posted by: Cheezeit
Its just a ram sink, no big deal...

Like someone has said, only spend the money if you really start to notice glitches and such. You will be fine with a case with nice airflow.

The thing is that it is not just a RAM sink, its the MOSFET, which controls the power regulation. That, obviously, can cause some damage if not cooled right.

Originally posted by: RichUK

Originally posted by: cRazYdood
I'd find some thermal epoxy if I were you.

ahh good shout, why didnt i think of that. :thumbsup:

This is the best solution if not looking to get it properly repaired, its a good substitute aswell.

Obviously once you can get a hold of some being xmas and all. The cable tie will have to do for now

Can't say I'm too familiar with thermal epoxy ...care to shed some light?

It does the same as thermal paste (in that it transfers heat and all that good stuff), but it also acts as a glue, holds the heatsink to the chip without any other help (ie, no clamps or push buttons)

it works really good

Sweet, thanks buddy.

 

[John]

Call your video card mfg's support line and see if they'll ship you some new plastic retention pins.

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: John
Call your video card mfg's support line and see if they'll ship you some new plastic retention pins.

Yeah, I'm gonna try that as soon as they open after the holidays, if I get no lukc there, I'll go with the thermal epoxy.