How to remove stock heatsink from Video Card?


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I have an older stock nVIDIA GeForce2 Ultra video card and want to change the heatsink/fan on it - but when I go to remove it it won't budge - I can tell it's glued pretty tight to the chip.. errr, how can I remove it without breaking the chip?

Edited by zepherzs
  kenetik said:
Who makes the actual card? Not the chipset.. (Whos the manufactor?)

586050503[/snapback]

Video Adapter VisionTek GeForce2 Ultra

GPU Code Name NV15BR

post-43724-1118520843.gif

The Heatsinnk&Fan combo does not have heatsink tape or anything like that - it is clearly glued onto the chip because even while hot and holding it firmly trying to seperate the heatsink from the chip - it will not move at all- it's firm and so that's why I assume it is glued somehow. The normal pin holes that hold removeable heatsinks are empty. This is the original setup and was this way from day one and is original.

Edited by zepherzs

Ah an old school question, right up my alley.

You need to freeze the glue so it becomes brittle.

The process as I remember it on my Geforce2 Pro was to stick it in an anti-static bag in the freezer for a couple hours. Then gently twist on the heatsink until it snaps off (you may need to put a little force into it, but not too much, you don't want to snap a little of the chipset off).

Another way to chill it may be to turn an air-duster can upside down and spray at the back of the card which should quick freeze it in a couple seconds.

edit:

I take no responsibility for any damage you cause your components with these methods, because taking off a heatsink can be risky :)

Edited by funnyperson1

Okay for the freezer trick (with anti-static bag) - okay great thank you!

..when the new zalman vf70 comes next week I will do that to it.

I understand about not too much pressure on it for sure - that's why I posted.

I do have a new can of Air too I may try that...

I think I will use the three hours in the Freezer way since it's a known...

funnyperson1 & Raven,

I gots my new zalmen in the mail today so I put the card in the freezer for 3 hours to freeze the heatsink glue - and took it out and gently tried to twist/turn the heatsink off but it won't budge ..so I twisted off a bit harder but still no go ..I then tiwsted/turned/fiddle it about as hard as I think I can without breaking the chip but it won't budge... I don't want to break it for sure, but how hard to you have to twist off on it to get the glue to break loose ...what was your experience with doing it ...thanks

if you can be super carefull try some nailpolish remover or paint thinner and try to get it inbetween the heatsink and chip...it will damaget the pcb if it touches it, so be carefullllll!!!!

that's the only thing I can think of short of get a flat knife and pry.

I suggest the freezer trick. It has worked for me before. Just be sure to seal the bag properly! (Y)

EDIT: I should pay more attention, since I didn't notice you had tried it already. Use a knife and pry it off after freezing it again.

Okay thanks guys - got it.

I left it in the freezer for 5 hours but it still was stubborn to break loose, but then I took a plastic tool and at the same time as gently/firmly tiwst/offing I also pried gently up ...and then it broke loose.. thanks, all is well.

thanks again

Sorry, just got your message. I'm also glad you removed it without damage. It gets brittle when you freeze it and the amount of force depends on how well they glued the heatsink.

The trick is steady pressure rather than an abrupt 'hit'. The first one I tried came off with almost no effort. The second one resembled the problem you had removing the heatsink.

Good luck with your project!

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