980 ti removing stock heatsink

[Naff8000]

Can anyone help? I've replaced the gpu heatsink and put small stick-on heatsinks on the vram however I can't remove the large black heatsink covering the Vcore etc on the right of the 1st image.

It has those strange rivet like fasteners instead of screws (2nd image), can I remove them? I'm only getting 1425mhz stable on the gpu with +350mhz on the ram and temps maxing at 65c. I should be getting at least 1500mhz and I'm sure that heatsink must be the problem?

Thanks for any help.

http://www.realhardwarereviews.com/rhr_storage/images/GPU/MSI_Gaming6G_980Ti/top2.jpg
http://www.realhardwarereviews.com/rhr_storage/images/GPU/MSI_Gaming6G_980Ti/vrm.jpg

** Do Not Hotlink images **

 

[andybird123]

you need to get the right set of hex head screwdrivers

 

[PieEater]

I wouldn't remove that heatsink unless you are replacing it with something better. You should have a fan blowing down onto that area of the card anyhow so maybe try increasing its speed to see if that makes a difference to your overclock if it does then you know you are correct and that cooling to that area needs to be improved.

 

[freddie64]

Have you removed the back plate?
Would imagine the screws will go through the back plate and into that heatsink from the rear of the card.

I would try PieEaters suggestion first though.