removing a video card heatsink

[dmw16]

the fan on my GTS died yesterday(I think probably in transport home from a LAN party)and now I need a new one. Ive decided on the 2cooltek kit that comes with the blorb. I have 2 questions, one, how do I remove my old heatsink, and two, should since the blorb has pins I dont need to use an epoxy, so what should I use for my thermal conductor(I have AS or the grey stuff)? Also, does that kit come with epoxy or something to bond the memory heatsinks(2cooltek has both AS 2-part epoxy or 3m thermal tape)?
thanks,
-doug

 

[Muzzy]

I take it that the fan is glued on? I have the Elsa GTS2 too, but didn't look at how it is attached. I have read that you could freeze it first before you try to pry it out. If that work, make sure that the card is totally dry before you reinstall it. As for the thermal compound, Arctic Silver works just fine. I think that you have to buy the epoxy(the 2 compounds one on 2Cooltek). First check the fan, may be it is screwed on. Good luck.

 

[gooseman]

I have also read that if you stick it in your freezer for 15 to 30 minutes the heatsink will pop right off. I think that the 2cooltek kit comes with thermal tape but you would probably be better off getting yourself some artic silver thermal adhesive.

 

[Insane3D]

The freezer is not needed. Get a piece of cardboard..like a business card or a thick piece of paper and slide it under the HSF. Get a flathead screwdriver and slide it under the HSF with the blade flat and on top of the paper/cardboard. The cardboard will protect the card's curface from scratches when using the screwdriver. When the blade is under the HSF, just turn it so the blade goes vertical, and it will just pop off. Use something like goof off or my personal favorite, Carb and Choke cleaner (available at any Wal-Mart, Auto Parts store, etc.) to clean the old adhesive off the GPU. When it's all off, finish it off with some regular Isopropyl alcohol to clean off any residue. I would suggest you use some AS thermal paste with the blue orb. Good luck...

 

[ChrisADuffy]

I will agree with the last method(cardboard and screwdriver) that is the easiest way. I also recommend arctic silver 2 part thermal epoxy for the ram sinks. Just remember it is pretty permanent. Have fun.

 

[salman327]

So if you use the Artic Silver epoxy, is there anyway to take off the heatsink if you need to later down the road? I've also heard good things about the millisec copper heatsink for gpu's. Try millisec.com

 

[DClark]

Arctic Silver thermal adhesive (Arctic Silver sells both thermal epoxy and thermal compound) bonds permanently, but you can mix equal parts of thermal epoxy and Thermal compound to create a seal that can still be broken in the future.

Visit Arctic Silver's website if you want to make sure you're mixing the epoxy and thermal compound correctly.