Stubborn Stock Cooler

22nd June 2002, 10:36

Hey All,

For a long time I have been trying to remove the stock HSF off my geforce DDR, but so far I have had no luck.

I have tried controlled brute force, I have tried freezing it for 6hrs and then using a butter knife to try and break the bond.

Its only resulted in sore hands, and they nearly a broke videocard. (Some nasty cruching sounds with some surface resistors).

Amazingly (its been in a car accident too) the card is still going strong, but I really want a better thermal connection then currently exists, and my BLORB is just dying to have a go at cooling her down so I can overclocker her more.

One suggestion I have had is use a Razor blade, another was to use a credit card, and someone else said trying twisting it, while others said not too... before I try anything else, I was hoping for some more suggestions.

Cheers,
Alpha_7

RichBa5tard · 22nd June 2002, 11:16

Well, I've got a GF DDR too (creative), and it was indeed a b*tch to remove the crappy stock cooler, but is was worth it.

I didn't put it in the freezer (too little patience for that.

), I just slid a credit card under it and stuck a nice big screwdriver between it. Gently turn (yes, it makes an awfull noise...) and the stock HS will break off.

It will take hours to clean up the thermal adhesive though: i've spend approx 2 hours scraping it off with a sharp knife (once again, be gentle: don't scratch the chip itself) and 10 minutes lapping it.

It was worth the risk: max GPU OC with stock cooler was 143Mhz, max now (lapped, ASIII, Dangerden H²O block) without artifacts is 169Mhz.

With a 80W pelt, it goes even to 179Mhz without probs! Almost a 50% OC.

22nd June 2002, 11:30

Mines a Creative too, I hope I can when I do get it off I can see a similar overclock with my card

Do u think freezing would make the credit card, twist operation safer or easier ?

RichBa5tard · 22nd June 2002, 11:33

both

BTW: how high can you get your mem chips? Mine suck donkey balls: 329Mhz is the highest i can without getting artifacts. (huge memheatsinks don't help...)

I'm 4th at the ORB if i'm not mistaken, but all those around me have their mem oc'ed to 355~365Mhz :^/

22nd June 2002, 14:20

I could manage 340 with mine, but I haven't really played around with it too much... wanted to get some decent cooling for it before I really gave it what for..

22nd June 2002, 10:36	#1
Alpha_7 Posts: n/a	Stubborn Stock Cooler Hey All, For a long time I have been trying to remove the stock HSF off my geforce DDR, but so far I have had no luck. I have tried controlled brute force, I have tried freezing it for 6hrs and then using a butter knife to try and break the bond. Its only resulted in sore hands, and they nearly a broke videocard. (Some nasty cruching sounds with some surface resistors). Amazingly (its been in a car accident too) the card is still going strong, but I really want a better thermal connection then currently exists, and my BLORB is just dying to have a go at cooling her down so I can overclocker her more. One suggestion I have had is use a Razor blade, another was to use a credit card, and someone else said trying twisting it, while others said not too... before I try anything else, I was hoping for some more suggestions. Cheers, Alpha_7

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22nd June 2002, 11:16	#2
RichBa5tard [M] Reviewer/HWBot ***** Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 3,344	Well, I've got a GF DDR too (creative), and it was indeed a b*tch to remove the crappy stock cooler, but is was worth it. I didn't put it in the freezer (too little patience for that. ), I just slid a credit card under it and stuck a nice big screwdriver between it. Gently turn (yes, it makes an awfull noise...) and the stock HS will break off. It will take hours to clean up the thermal adhesive though: i've spend approx 2 hours scraping it off with a sharp knife (once again, be gentle: don't scratch the chip itself) and 10 minutes lapping it. It was worth the risk: max GPU OC with stock cooler was 143Mhz, max now (lapped, ASIII, Dangerden H²O block) without artifacts is 169Mhz. With a 80W pelt, it goes even to 179Mhz without probs! Almost a 50% OC.

22nd June 2002, 11:30	#3
Alpha_7 Posts: n/a	Mines a Creative too, I hope I can when I do get it off I can see a similar overclock with my card Do u think freezing would make the credit card, twist operation safer or easier ?

22nd June 2002, 11:33	#4
RichBa5tard [M] Reviewer/HWBot ***** Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 3,344	both BTW: how high can you get your mem chips? Mine suck donkey balls: 329Mhz is the highest i can without getting artifacts. (huge memheatsinks don't help...) I'm 4th at the ORB if i'm not mistaken, but all those around me have their mem oc'ed to 355~365Mhz :^/

22nd June 2002, 14:20	#5
Alpha_7 Posts: n/a	I could manage 340 with mine, but I haven't really played around with it too much... wanted to get some decent cooling for it before I really gave it what for..