Graphics card heatsink glue removal

Hi, I have an 8800 GT which is factory overclocked from Gigabyte. I would like to replace the Zalman heatsink with the Accellero S1 rev2 because of the nosie, however after removing the spring loaded screws, the heatsink wouldn't budge despite using a fair bit of force (not too much though). I'm pretty certain this thing is somehow glued on, courtesy of Gigabyte. Does anyone know if there is a way to remove this heatsink, and even if I could what I should expect from the aftermath; will there be permanently bonded glue left on the GPU core?

I've heard about using a hairdryer to soften the glue, or putting it in a bag in a freezer to make the glue brittle but I'm not sure about these options. I've also read that you can run the card very hot using ATI tool or a game, then when the core is hot enough, switch off the PC and yank off the heatsink. Again it sounds risky and I'm worried I could end up with a useless piece of PCB.

Has anyone else had this problem, and if so what did you do?

Run the card at full load to heat the die up and then turn the machine off and take the heatsink off, i've seen it work and fail.

You mean to say, you've seen it work and you've seen it not work, or sometimes it works, sometimes it ruins your graphics card? :)

I've seen it work = successfuly remove heatsink with card still working
I've seen it fail = unsuccessfuly remove heatsink with card still working

Hair dryers have also been used, freezing i wouldn't do though!

Depends on how it is fixed - if it really is glued, it will be a thermally conductive epoxy resin - immoveable. If it is normal paste or tape that has hardened, it may work whe heated - and the processor is the best way of heating it (but I'd kill the power immediately before trying so that the processor doesn't overheat if the heatsink does come off.

Well yesterday I thought i'd give it a try so I ran ati tool and got the GPU up to about 74 degrees, then switched it off, pushed the pins and the thing popped off in one go. Now I just realised I don't have the right stuff to clean the TIM off, what is recommended, if possible from scan...

Isopropyl alocohol - Maplins.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?...source=15&SD=Y

Alright thanks, I'll pick it up at Boots and hopefully get a cleaning cloth that doesn't leave fibres behind. Then I'll order the Accellero and the antec P182 :).

Hi,i have tried Local Chemists & Boots,with no luck(some have had luck at small Chemists thou).
Bought some from Maplins(not cheap),but you can get it off eBay.Get the 100% solution,it does evaporate fast,but thats good ie nothing left on chip/IHS etc.

Cheers BOB

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Originally Posted by Olmy

and hopefully get a cleaning cloth that doesn't leave fibres behind..

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A tip from the Arctic Silver people is that Coffee Filters are lint free if you have some knocking around.
Although a bit stuff.