Trying to remove reference cooler from 290x

[fowler002]

after like 2yrs I've finally got around to watercooling my 4770k PC(bought the parts ready to put the loop together but been lazy, been meaning to do it but kept getting put off for one reason or another), I'm going to be watercooling the gpu(290x) as well.

Went to remove the screws for the stock cooler but similar to my first attempt at watercooling 9yrs ago I'm having trouble removing a couple of the screws, the screwdriver turns in the screws but the screw don't budge and and the screw 'hole' is starting to 'misshapen'(one screw more than the other)

What's the best way of removing those two screws? With my first attempt I had my brother in law to help, this time he's in London so can't ask him.

Need an answer ASAP as I'm going on holiday next week and will be gone for 3 weeks.

 

[fowler002]

You can invest Draper 09550 31 Piece Precision Screwdriver Set.

Is that going to help removing the screws in the pics below?

 

[fowler002]

Sounds like you've been using a screwdriver that doesn't fit the screw heads very well. If the driver is too big/too small, it'll round off the screw heads and you'll be in trouble.

You probably need a #1 Philips screwdriver. I think a #0 will be too small and a #2 could be too big. My PC toolbox contains two screwdrivers - a #1 Philips and a #2 Philips. With those two you can remove 99% of PC screws.

It removed all but those screws, any replies on actually how to remove those two screws? Or am I out of luck and I've wasted money on the gpu block, also the warranty on the 290x is now voided?

 

[fowler002]

This could turn out to be an interesting read thread. I have visions of "I was told that putting the card in the washing machine would clean the components better" happening

What that doesn't work? I've been doing it for over 10yrs since I built my first PC

 

[fowler002]

Looks like a lost cause but you can try the elastic band method.

Sit a thicker flat elastic band(wider than the screw head) on top of the screw and gently press down with a screw driver while holding the underside of the card firm with your other hand until it catches with pressure then SLOWLY turn the screw and remove it.

Still shaking my head at you/whoever stripped those screws in the first place though.

One of the two screws came out using the elastic band, took a bit of time and trying a few different screw drivers. The second one is being more stubborn, will try again a bit later otherwise will have to give up and just take the £60 odd hit on the gpu waterblock and use the 290x with the standard amd cooler for now.

 

[fowler002]

Screwdriver I used



Closer look at the tip



Also have this screwdriver, the tip fit into the screw but was difficult to twist(using a cloth to hold the screwdriver helped a bit but the other screwdriver was working so I used that)

 

[fowler002]

No offence but it sounds like something you're doing wrong if it's happened twice to you.

It's been 9yrs so I can't remember exactly what the issue was with the screws that time, can't remember if it was stripping of the screws or something else. But managed to get those out, this time looks like I'll be beaten by a stubborn screw.

 

[fowler002]

I'm biting my tongue as I type this, but why in hell are you trying to disassemble a valuable piece of electronics without the correct tools?

I typed a couple of suggestions but in reading the thread you obviously aren't up to them so stop what you are doing and get someone involved that knows WTH they are doing to try to extricate you from this.

That is all.

The right tools are what you have on hand that works, the screwdriver I was using was working but for two stubborn screws that decided they didn't want to come out(first one I 'beat' but the other is 'standing firm')

 

[fowler002]

Telling me to buy a set of screwdrivers etc isn't going to help me with getting the one remaining screw off, I'm here looking for suggestions to get the screws out(got one out thanks to tommybhoy ) not for snide comment and pot shots neither of which is helpful.

I have two screwdriver sets, 1 I got for subscribing to custom PC several years back and 1 I bought from maplins several years back. Not had any problems with screws over the years bar with these two screws.

 

[fowler002]

Wasn't meant as a snide comment or a pot shot, apologies if it came across that way. From the pictures you posted earlier, both screws look to have more than enough metal left that a decent fitting screwdriver will easily be able to get them out. Do you live anywhere near Gillingham (Kent)? if so, bring the card over this evening when I'm home from work and I'll be more than happy to try to help get the screws out by finding the right size of screwdriver and using that to get them out.

Sorry didn't mean you, was more at the people like Geck0(tommybhoy's suggestion was helpful but even he couldn't help making a snide comment/pot shot near the end)

Thank for the offer of help but you're like 100miles away from me.

This is what the remaining screw looks like after my attempt at it with the elastic band earlier.

 

[fowler002]

Don`t think they are the right type

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOA-Mini-...080503?hash=item51d5214d77:g:Vd8AAOSwyQtVukv6

I think these are though

But that says wood screws, last I checked the screws used for computer parts aren't classified as wood screws.

 

[fowler002]

You should try the biro trick, it's perfect for stuff like that.

Wouldn't the plastic just snap when you turn it?

Have you got any links on a video of how to do it?

It's looking like I'll have to try sort this out after my holidays, have to tidy up my PC room and bed room as well. I've waited two years, what's another month right?

This might be an excuse to get a new graphics card, but I've not really gotten much use out of the current one due to not using the PC much due to the CPU temps being in the 80s-90s oC as I've been using the Intel cooler(have a AIO cooler that kept the 2500k cool but wasn't working with the 4770k for some reason). Not been wanting to do extended gaming sessions with such high CPU temps.

 

[fowler002]

Still made of metal
And I have used the type I posted on stubborn screws/bolts for electronics(mobos,gfx cards and the like )with a lot of success,granted not all screws will come out and on occasion a needle nose pliers has been used to loosen the screw/bolt

Will that have the right size one for the screws in the amd reference cooler? Plus doesn't the drilling risk damaging the graphics card?

I've tried gripping the screw with the pliers I have in one of the two tool sets, but doesn't seem to be able to get a grip to turn. If I could get the screw out a bit first maybe more luck.

 

[fowler002]

He `might` have some luck with a torx bit
These are a bit hit and miss bit may be worth a try
OP are you sure you can`t get a grip with a sharp needle nose pliers?

I didn't have much luck when I tried it this morning, but I will try agin as at this stage anything(that wouldn't risk damaging the card) is worth a try.

 

[fowler002]

Is your card a reference, if so you need a ph0 to remove the screws, dont forget the two screws on the i/o port.

Edit. Looking at that last picture you put up, just use a flat head and dont be a pussy putting your weight onto to move it.

Yes it's the reference cooler.

But putting too much weight into it risks damaging the card, either by too crushing or the screwdriver coming out and scratching up the board.

Had the screwdriver come out and scratch the board when doing the elastic band thing this morning, well I don't see any scratches or obvious signs of damage so hopefully nothing important was touched.