So I have recently made a blog post about my 6950 1GB XFX and have started cleaning it. The only problems is that I am having issues trying to get off the excess thermal paste around the gpu die and the vrms which is a total bitch to clean off. Any tips? I have tried using toothpicks and q tips and still not clean to my standards yet. Yes I was being careful with the toothpick to avoid any scratching, was just getting off the gunks of thermal paste stuck on the sides of the vrms.
I didn't have any rubbing/ Isopropyl alcohol but used methylated spirits instead which it worked fine.
Whenever I have cleaned thermal compound from gpus or cpus I always use paper towel first to remove anything loose, then apply isopropyl alcohol to a paper towel and clear the rest. Isopropyl will evaporate quickly and leave the gpu clean.
It'll work fine like that, but it's best you clean a bit more. Wad up a coffee filter, douse it in alcohol and press it down on the caps. Basically just gently dab away at it for a bit and it should clean up a bit more. You won't get it perfect unless you want to trace each cap with the end of an exacto knife, peeling the tiny little bits of paste out from the corners.
I didn't get any isopropyl alcohol but the temps have gone lower to about 45c before it was like 64c but still getting high temps. THIS IS DRIVING ME FUCKING NUTS. I WANT TO GO ALL LOGAN AND USE THIS FUCKING 6950 AS A COASTER CAUSE ITS STILL GETS WAY TO FUCKING HOT. I tested Valley Benchmark When I got this gpu before I cleaned it, it got to the 7th scene it hit 90c. By now it ran 2 full loops but it hit 93c >:O!!!!!. I want to get an aftermarket cooler for it but it cost more than the gpu that I paid for.
ps. It's a total fucking bitch to clean this fucking POS GPU. (Not shit just XFX was a cheap fucking cunt back in the 6000 series and earlier)
pps. Sorry for the very extreme vulgar language but by reading this you can feel the rage. I want to use my 290 Tri X OC but its too much for me and its not getting the workout that it needed. The 6950 is perfect for me IF IT WASN'T SO FUCKING GODDAM MOTHERFUCKING HOT!!!!
When I was finished cleaning, I was cleaning it with a microfiber cloth as well. I tried cleaning it by soaking it in water then handwashing it but there was so much thermal paste on there hardly ever came off so I'm going to soak it again and then chuck it into the washing machine. If that doesn't work im going to the discount shops too see if i can pick up some cheap.
Use an hair drier to dry the thermal compound all around the GPU and over it until it starts craking. Than use a plastic pryer to scratch everything off of it. If you use a softer plastic than the one used for the PCB you won't damage anything even if you apply a bit of force.
huh if you typed this in 13 hours ago i would have done it but sticking it in the oven would be probably be better but i don't have one but I do have a convection oven.
@Fouquin I have managed to fix the temps by applying a tad more thermal paste and re-applied the thermal paste to the die the third time (the die not the vrms.) it only managed to hit 84 while benchmarking which I am a very very happy person right now. It only hit to 84, sounds like a hairdryer but i am a very happy person.
I wouldn't suggest a oven at all if you use it to cook your meals in it. Heat all that amount of chemicals in a non ventilated space can lead to accumulation of the evaporation on the oven's sides and may be released over time when you use it. Maybe borrow a heat gun but don't overdo because if the temperature is too high some soldering may be come loose and the card would become a paper weight (oven is overkill too for this if you use a temp too high). P.S. I need to sleep and stuff, else I would've answered before hahaha
ultrasonic cleaners, have seen them in videos but yeah why would a 19 year old kid who lives in his parents to have an expensive equipment that hes hardly going to use.
