Removal of heatsink on G400

[cpld005]

I just checked out Tennmax's website and they have a revised G200 cooler that will also work with the G400. I know removing the heatsink will void any warranty I have on the card, but since I already have screwed a heatsink on the thing I figured it's gone anyways. This solution is lookihg awefully tempting as it has the retention pins in place to lock the cooler onto the chip. Has anyone tried removing the heatsink and if so how did you do it? The product is: Matrox Users: Lasagna BGA Cooler Type B is a new design with retention push pins is now most suitable for G200 and G400 applications

[Ant]

Well I have the Tennmax cooler but can't get the heatsink off

[cpld005]

Their method frightens me too, stick a screwdriver under it and pry it off, or run it til it catches fire then peel it off

[rickT]

I used a screwdriver on my rage 128 board.

[Holerith]

One method you might try is (after removing any retention pins) is a high volume hair dryer. Set it on high and direct it on the heatsink till the adhesive softens and then peel it off.

Just a possibility.

[Ant]

Hold the front page I did it. Pry it very gently with a pen knife blade, don't put too much force into it and off it will pop. Don't lever the blade against any components on the board you should be able to lever it between the heatsink and part of the mounting the G400 chip is on. The heatsink is cemented in place it doesn't soften with heat.

[carlmeister]

Actually, I didn't pry mine off, I twisted. It fairly easy. The Tenmax cooler is a pretty neat unit. I have had it on my G400 for about a week. Wish they would of made a option with a 3 wire MB connector though. I wonder wich has better conductivity the thermal pad or heat sink compound (grease)?

[M Ragsdale]

Heat sink grease is better than thermal pads.

Matt

[rickT]

heatsink compound has better thermal properties.

the best is the stuff you can pick up from computer nerd. Thermalloy also makes some called Thermalcote II that is a real good synthetic grease

[ALBPM]

The G200 heatsink comes off easy. Carefully remove the plastic retention pins by gently squeezing them together and pushing from the back of the board. If your gentle and don't bugger them up you can save them in case you want to reuse them again. Also save the springs for the pins.
For removing the Heatsink I agree with Ant. Use a thin penknife blade. The Epoxy looks thicker than it actually is between the Heat Sink and the Chip. It appears thick but what you are seeing is just the excess squeezed out during assembly.
Gently slide the blade, keeping the edge against the back of the heat sink. I've had the best success by going at a corner and just prying slightly as the knife blade cuts into the Epoxy.
Once you get the Heat Sink off carefully scrape the remaining Epoxy off with the knife and then use acetone or carburator cleaner to wipe off the remaining Epoxy.
If the new Tennmax cooler uses retention pins then use Heat Sink grease. Only use the pads if you can't use the pins to hold the cooler on the chip.
As rickT said the best heat Sink grease is the stuff from Computernerds.
computernerd.com/

Paul

[cpld005]

Well I got the heatsink off (bye bye warranty) then realised I had nothing to put on it . Went to Fry's and bought an el cheapo fan/heatsink combo deal til my Tennmax cooler get's here. Works fine and I can overclock to 301 now without artifacts, the old way of stock heatsink with a fan stuck on it only allowed to 297. Can't wait to see what I can do with the Tennmax fan.

[cpld005]

Ok, so I am nuts, but I went out and bought a Peltier for the G400 and now I can get G200CLK to go to 309 before it freaks out, I think this is as high as I think anyone can go, but the card is COLD when I touch it, both sides by the way, definately worth a look if your insane like I am.