GTX 480 Stripped Screws

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 11:02

Just got my 480.

I was trying to get the cooler off my 480 to install my waterblock. I took off 16 of the 17 screws. Then I get to the 17th, try to remove it and holy crap it's so tight! So trying to get it out, the screw's been stripped :rolleyes:

I'm pretty angry right now, how can I remove this final screw? I've tried a few different screw drivers.

Thanks

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 11:57

I've been trying to drill it out for the last 20 mins.

We've finally removed the screw YAY!

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 12:35

I think there is a little bit of residue left from the drilling. Is it absolutely necessary to get it out?

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 13:09

I'll be able to get some compressed air tomorrow. Unfortunately not today. Well, I won't be able to get the waterblock on until tomorrow

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 13:16

I hope it's okay to leave it until tomorrow!

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 13:55

crap, I've only got a huge vacuum cleaner. The card's been sitting there for a few hours now, any other ways of cleaning it?

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 14:09

Unfortunately, I'm going to have to leave it until tomorrow. At the moment, I've got no way to clean the card, blowing on it doesn't help

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 14:32

I really don't feel confident about brushing my card with a toothbrush. I've never watercooled before. I'll ride my luck and hope I can get it all off tomorrow

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 14:44

well, it's sort of fine particles that I can see, that won't blow off. It's not as big as fragments though

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 14:57

I'm not prepared to try a paintbrush if I'm scared to use a toothbrush

However, I'm coming round to the idea of using a toothbrush

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 15:03

okay, I'll see if I've got a clean paintbrush anywhere.

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 15:19

I've got a really soft and tiny paintbrush.

Will that be okay? Pic of the pcb coming up

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 15:23

Here's the hole:

some of the screw still remains in the hole, I'm not worried about that. I'm worried about the little particles around it

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 15:30

Jokester said:
Doesn't come off with a damp cloth?

I don't have any sort of non conductive cloth.

I'm hoping I can leave it until tomorrow though tbh

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 15:42

The toilet paper I've got leaves a lot of lint, which is difficult to blow away. I might just have some of those blue paper towel things though, I might try them

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 15:43

Actually on second thoughts, I'm getting some compressed air from someone tomorrow. I've decided to leave it until then

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 16:05

Just cleaned it with a soft brush. Here's what it looks like now, is it ready to have the waterblock installed on it?

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 16:49

Thanks everyone for all your help. The warranty doesn't cover stock cooler removal

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 16:52

Zotac

I didn't realise at the time, so I bought this for the 5 year warranty rather than the cheapest OcUK one

TheCenturion · 28 Aug 2010 at 16:55

Awesome!
but if it turns out I've borked the card, I can't return it