How to Mount a GPU Block (Pictorial guide)

[Pug]

Removal of stock cooler

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/gpuInst1.jpg

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/gpuInst2.jpg

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/gpuInst3.jpg

[Pug]

Preparation of card for block install

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/gpuInst4.jpg

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/gpuInst5.jpg

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/gpuInst6.jpg

[Pug]

... continued

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/gpuInst7.jpg

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/gpuInst8.jpg

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/gpuInst9.jpg

[Pug]

The art of improvisation ... and a margarine tub lid

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/gpuInst10.jpg

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/gpuInst11.jpg

http://www.wizarddesigns.co.uk/guides/imgs/gpuInst12.jpg

^^^ AGP-eye view. :D
Enjoy.

[Fibbles]

I had mine exactly like that, but ended up reversing the screw order because the little bit of crookedness (like in the last pic) was making the thumbscrews hard to turn. Which is the input and output on that block or does it matter?

I have it: pump to GPX side (faces the front of the case), GPX upper (the one facing the windowed panel) to Cuplex EVO, radiator, ressy1, ressy2, pump.

[Starbuck3733T]

I think I put mine on ass backwards the second time. Oh well.

[FastRedPonyCar]

I had a watercooled 9700 pro for like 10 minutes. The cpu block sprung a leak at one of the hose connections and dripped onto the back of the 9700 :mad:

The side panel would't have fit on anyways. the case wasn't wide enough. oh well. Hey what ram sinks are those?

[Fibbles]

I had that happen to my 9800Pro, but it was during the leak test, and I recovered pretty well - it worked again. I think those sinks came stock on that card, I've seen them on something before, I just can't remember what. :confused:

[Bradley]

Hi all...

I have the same Graphics card as Pug, pictured above...

could someone please tell me if the aqua computer aquagratix will fit this card...

only i noticed that the card has extra silver blocks where the aquagratix would seem to sit...

thanks

Bradley

[Fibbles]

Hi all...

I have the same Graphics card as Pug, pictured above...

could someone please tell me if the aqua computer aquagratix will fit this card...

only i noticed that the card has extra silver blocks where the aquagratix would seem to sit...

thanks

Bradley
The extra silver blocks are heatsinks for the memory, also known as ramsinks. The all in one block could work, but you'll need to remove the ramsinks from the card. That might be easy or not, depending on what was used to bond them, and if pulled too hard the memory chip might come off. I know what it feels like to lose a 9800Pro memory chip to a ramsink :( , and it's not fun.

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

Did the card still work fibbles?

[Fibbles]

Nope. After I booted up, the monitor light never turned back to green, even though I had this screwy idea it would work and just be short of some memory. Computers are funky like that, right?

[Bradley]

The extra silver blocks are heatsinks for the memory, also known as ramsinks. The all in one block could work, but you'll need to remove the ramsinks from the card. That might be easy or not, depending on what was used to bond them, and if pulled too hard the memory chip might come off. I know what it feels like to lose a 9800Pro memory chip to a ramsink :( , and it's not fun.
:( thanx dr.fibbles... im gonna have to try taking them off as i have the aquagratix sat here... just gonna have to be gentle and cross my fingers!!!:wacko:

[Fibbles]

You could try freezing the card, I've heard that that will loosen the bond. I think Starbuck mentioned it on here and quite a few have mentioned it elsewhere.

Would freezing do anything to the rest fo the card?

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

put it in a sealed zip lock type bag so it doesnt get condensation on it and dont put in your computer straight away give it a few hours to get abck to room temp.

[Bradley]

put it in a sealed zip lock type bag so it doesnt get condensation on it and dont put in your computer straight away give it a few hours to get abck to room temp.
Thanx for the info guys....

will try the freezer bag method... fingers crossed!

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

Twisting the heatsink as you take it off makes it a bit easier too. My one was held on with 2 push pins. Once they were undone it twisted off pretty easily. :cool:

[Bradley]

Twisting the heatsink as you take it off makes it a bit easier too. My one was held on with 2 push pins. Once they were undone it twisted off pretty easily. :cool:
Im dreading trying this but im gonna have to do it.... :wacko:

[Greeny]

I've done the freezer method quite a few times, I usually put the card in a couple of antistatic bags sealing both of them in turn with duct tape. Leave it in the freezer for 30-60 minutes. It is probably best to wait before powering the card up once your done, give the caps and stuff time to thaw out and come back to room temperature, I haven't had any problem firing anything up immediately once I've been done before though.

It makes the bond of thermal adhesive weak enough to snap off no problem.

[Bradley]

I've done the freezer method quite a few times, I usually put the card in a couple of antistatic bags sealing both of them in turn with duct tape. Leave it in the freezer for 30-60 minutes. It is probably best to wait before powering the card up once your done, give the caps and stuff time to thaw out and come back to room temperature, I haven't had any problem firing anything up immediately once I've been done before though.

It makes the bond of thermal adhesive weak enough to snap off no problem.thanx greeny...

Most helpful....

one other question though...

Once i have the ram sinks off... do i have to apply some thermal compound to the top of the ram aswell? brfore putting the aquagatix onto the card

[Greeny]

Yes you should apply thermal compound to the top of the ram chips as well.
Be carefull not to spill any if your using conductive thermal paste and make sure you thoroughly clean the surfaces of the heatsink and the chips with isopropyl alchohol or nail-polish remover.

EDIT - the formatting of the text in this post is working very strangely.

[Bradley]

Yes you should apply thermal compound to the top of the ram chips as well.
Be carefull not to spill any if your using conductive thermal paste and make sure you thoroughly clean the surfaces of the heatsink and the chips with isopropyl alchohol or nail-polish remover.
Nice 1 greeny... thought as much but best to make sure... dont want to knacker my card...!!!

[walkitiki]

is this thread broken for anyone else? Just want to check..

[fivecheebs]

yeah... looks like it. I know Pug was having probs a while back, haven't a clue if this is related.

[Pug]

Sorry guys. A lot of my pics for my guides were hosted on the Wizard Designs servers at Fast24/Domainbuster.

You can read about what happened to them, here (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/10/31/fast24_uksolutions/) and here (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/11/09/fast24_cutoff/). :-(

I need to look at moving the domain elsewhere but have had other priorities to contend with over Xmas & New Year.

[edit] ...and no, it wasn't related to my ISP probs causing my absence or any of the rest of what I've suffered recently.
When it rains... you remember that you're living in Wales. :rolleyes: ;-)

[fivecheebs]

Thats a git about Fast24! Bummer man. If i can help in the short term (i still have space for another domain) give me a shout.

Rofl at the edit :lol: