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Trying to remove reference cooler from 290x

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.
 
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')
 
Seriously, pop down your local DIY store and get yourself a good set of various sized screwdrivers, or a good quality multi bit one.

There are two main "cross head" types, PZ and PH. The angle of the tapering is different between the two - only marginally, but does mean will make a difference in contact. The right full contact type will undo that easily, the other tends to strip it even if it looks like the right size. You'll be able to tell the difference in feel and fit straight away.

The right screwdriver makes things a lot easier, and you don't find yourself pushing down on the screwdriver either to try and get a better grip.
 
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')

The right tool can often be difference between something working properly and not, as you've found in this case as a badly fitting screwdriver has now almost rounded off the two screws you've highlighted.

For years, I had two sizes of flat and crosshead screwdrivers and believed that I could get anything done with just these tools - messing around with the motorbike, or simple DIY job round the house. For years, I was mostly right but often had issues with screws rounding off, or being complete pains and causing me huge issues and wasting loads of time. When I started to get into taking apart phones and PCs, I found my screwdrivers were too big, so spent £5 on a cheap set like Ninjah recommended initially. I know realise how wrong I was for all those years, so now have lots of different cheap screwdrivers - both big and small - and am always careful to select the right one for the job, even if another looks 'close enough'. Result is I haven't rounded off or broken a screw since I got a decent variety of tools.

Everyone in the thread is telling you to use the right sized screwdriver for these screws and you'll find they come out without a problem. We can't ALL be wrong! :D
 
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.
 
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.

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.
 
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.

 
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.
 
But that says wood screws, last I checked the screws used for computer parts aren't classified as wood screws.
Still made of metal:p
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:)
 
Still made of metal:p
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.
 
No drilling required.put bit into handle/bitholder and press tightly into head of screw and unscrew
The cutting edge of the bit bites into the metal screw-head and`should`unscrew the screw
edit Do not use a drill/driver for this!!!:p
 
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That type of thing should work as well as the ones I linked to (except they might be a bit big - work great on my car though!) - but the ones you linked to are probably too big as they're for size 6 screws at the smallest.

Can't find a UK retailer selling an extractor small enough at the moment. Plenty of US stores...
 
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?
 
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.
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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