Arctic Cooler won't come off!

HeX · 5 May 2006 at 12:05

Recently went SLi with a 2nd 7800GT.

My origianl 7800GT is fitted with an Arctic Cooler however its too big and when a 2nd 7800GT is fitted the fan from the Arctic Cooler hits the back of the 2nd card...

No problem I thought so I removed the 7800GT with the AC and placed the new 7800GT in the first slot, then I went to put my original card in the 2nd Slot only for the fan to touch my Audigy2!

So I was going to take off the AC for now and put the stock cooler back on until I get round to getting a couple of VF900's next week.

Only problem is the AC won't give up its grip on my 7800GT :eek:

I've unbolted it all, and where usually a bit of a push will just pop it off the mem chips this one will not budge!

It lifts off the core easily enough (like 2-3mm enough to know its not that), but the mem chips are stuck fast. I've only used the blue/gray pads that come with the kit that usually just drop off... usually...

I was litterally pulling the HSF full force (as much as I dared) but had to stop for fear the memchips were going to rip off...

Anyone got a clue how the hell I can get it off! :confused:

Rob43 · 5 May 2006 at 12:07

try twisting it,heating it up before you take it off

Rob

HeX · 5 May 2006 at 12:13

Rob43 said:
try twisting it,heating it up before you take it off

Rob

Can't twist it as the 4 bolt pegs are still thru the card so you only have one axis you can pull in, and thats straight up...

I'll have a go at heating it up first though...

oceaness · 5 May 2006 at 12:30

Even a very small amount of twist can help the air get between the mem chips and the heatsink as I think thats the problem the idea is that thermal compound fills in the smallest air gaps so it forms kinda an air tight seal. There should be a small amount of twist even when it's fully clamped down.

TechnoCorruption · 5 May 2006 at 13:17

As said above, let it run full load for 10-15 mins, a couple of 3dmark runs should do it and then it should be easier to come off, cold thermal pads/paste are like glue.

pastymuncher · 5 May 2006 at 13:34

I had the same problem even after running for an hour. In the end i had to use a scalpel to cut through the thermal pads.

M@rt · 5 May 2006 at 13:54

Took 2 arctic coolers of my sli set up to go water cooled. Had the same problem. Ended up using a hobby knife to slice though the pads then peeled the remaining bit off the memory.

Daft having glue on both sides the coolers are now useless unless/until I find some more pads of equal thickness. Looked but no joy yet.

M@rt