Video Card Fan Failed? | Learn How to Replace a Video Card Fan | Step by Step Instructions
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How to Replace a Burned Out Video Card Fan with a Heatsink
One day I was happily playing a game on my computer and all the sudden it just froze up (screen stayed still.) Alt control delete didn't work and the sound repeated over and over. I cold rebooted the system thinking it was just a driver issue. Went back into my game to find it happen again after a few minutes of playing. This happened with all my games.
I didn't think anything was overheating, but I checked my Nvidia Cards with the Nvidia Monitor software and behold the video cards where blazing near 100c. (That's hot!)
So, I turned off my computer opened the case and turned it back on to find that he video card fans where not spinning at all. This wasn't good for my computer or even my wallet at the time.
I decided that my 6600GT's still have some life in them and a couple of fans would only run me about $25.00 with shipping and handling. It was worth the try at replacing them.
In this lens I will give you the overview of the process of replacing the factory heatsink fans with a common replacement fan.
I didn't think anything was overheating, but I checked my Nvidia Cards with the Nvidia Monitor software and behold the video cards where blazing near 100c. (That's hot!)
So, I turned off my computer opened the case and turned it back on to find that he video card fans where not spinning at all. This wasn't good for my computer or even my wallet at the time.
I decided that my 6600GT's still have some life in them and a couple of fans would only run me about $25.00 with shipping and handling. It was worth the try at replacing them.
In this lens I will give you the overview of the process of replacing the factory heatsink fans with a common replacement fan.
Do-It -Yourself Computer Books
The Tools and Supplies You will Need
Stuff you will need along the way:
Project Time: 30 minutes to an Hour
Project Skill: Intermediate to Advanced
* Precision Phillips Screw Driver(s)
* Flat Head Screw Driver (May or May Not Need)
* Needle Nose Pliers
* Rubbing Alcohol (70% or greater)
* Cotton Swabs
* Paper Towel (Soft, not abrasive)
* Thermal Compound (Recommend: Arctic Silver 5)
* Drill with 1/16" Drill Bit (Bit needs to for Metal)
* Block of Wood (Scrap Piece of 2x4 will do)
* Compress Air
Last but not Least, some patience and will power.
Not everything that is listed above will be shown in the images below. Sorry, I wasn't thinking about the tools as I was snapping pictures with the progress of fixing the fans.
Also, keep in mind that you should static discharge yourself before removing any component from a computer. Always be sure the system is powered off and unplugged for about 30 minutes before working with heat related items such as the heatsink if you like to keep your fingertips.
Project Time: 30 minutes to an Hour
Project Skill: Intermediate to Advanced
* Precision Phillips Screw Driver(s)
* Flat Head Screw Driver (May or May Not Need)
* Needle Nose Pliers
* Rubbing Alcohol (70% or greater)
* Cotton Swabs
* Paper Towel (Soft, not abrasive)
* Thermal Compound (Recommend: Arctic Silver 5)
* Drill with 1/16" Drill Bit (Bit needs to for Metal)
* Block of Wood (Scrap Piece of 2x4 will do)
* Compress Air
Last but not Least, some patience and will power.
Not everything that is listed above will be shown in the images below. Sorry, I wasn't thinking about the tools as I was snapping pictures with the progress of fixing the fans.
Also, keep in mind that you should static discharge yourself before removing any component from a computer. Always be sure the system is powered off and unplugged for about 30 minutes before working with heat related items such as the heatsink if you like to keep your fingertips.
Precision Screw Drivers
VGA Fans
PCI-E Video Card with Burned Out Fan
Step by Step
The picture above is showing my XFX EN6600GT PCI-E video card lying flat on a table. Keep in mind with all electronic equipment, most are not made to withstand a lot of pressure. So, don't press to hard when removing screws. Do you best to keep your oily skin off of chips and away from the golden connectors at the bottom of the card.
The first thing you are going to have to figure out is how to remove the heatsink from the board to separate it from the processor (GPU.) On this board it is connected with two black plastic pressure clips on the backside of the board as seen in the lower left and almost upper right of the image below. These particular clips are easily removed by using a needle nose plyer and gently squeeze the wings together. It should pop through the holes rather quick. If it doesn't give it a little push, just don't break the clips doing so.
Boards vary, so take your time in determining how your heatsink disengages from the main board.
The first thing you are going to have to figure out is how to remove the heatsink from the board to separate it from the processor (GPU.) On this board it is connected with two black plastic pressure clips on the backside of the board as seen in the lower left and almost upper right of the image below. These particular clips are easily removed by using a needle nose plyer and gently squeeze the wings together. It should pop through the holes rather quick. If it doesn't give it a little push, just don't break the clips doing so.
Boards vary, so take your time in determining how your heatsink disengages from the main board.
Removing Heat Sink From Video Card Board
Heatsink Removed from Video Card
After the clips have been released, you heatsink might easily lift off the GPU, however depending on whether or not your thermal compound is sticky or hardened will depend on the ease of removal. If it is hardened you may wan to take flat head screw driver at the edge of the heatsink and work it up gently until it releases from the GPU. Do this gently and work around the heatsink to prevent damage to the fragile processor.
Once removed, you will see the processor and the underside of the heatsink with the original thermal compound as seen in the image below.
NOTE: Not shown in any of the images, don't forget to unplug the fan from the video board after removal or before removal of the heatsink.
Once removed, you will see the processor and the underside of the heatsink with the original thermal compound as seen in the image below.
NOTE: Not shown in any of the images, don't forget to unplug the fan from the video board after removal or before removal of the heatsink.
Heatsink Removed from Video Card
Time To Do Some Cleaning.....
Yippy Skippy !!!
That thermal compound gunk is going to have to go. We will later replace it, but for now it is a good practice to replace it rather than keep it. In the image below you will see the before and after image of the GPU being cleaned.
Cleaning off the GPU is the most sensitive job of this whole process. Again, be absolutely sure you are completely statically discharged before proceeding. You will need the cotton swaps and rubbing alcohol at this point. Rubbing alcohol works well when removing the thermal compound. It is also very gentle on electronics as well as evaporates fast.
Putting some rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab, rub gently in a circular motion until all the thermal compound is removed. You may need to use a few cotton swabs for this process and depending on the hardness of the thermal compound will depend on the toughness of getting it off. The compound is supposed to be gooey to do its job. If it isn't gooey then it is a good thing you are replacing it anyways.
When you are done cleaning, you should be able to see writing on the GPU. Be sure to cleanup around the GPU as well as soak up any excess rubbing alcohol.
Cleaning off the GPU is the most sensitive job of this whole process. Again, be absolutely sure you are completely statically discharged before proceeding. You will need the cotton swaps and rubbing alcohol at this point. Rubbing alcohol works well when removing the thermal compound. It is also very gentle on electronics as well as evaporates fast.
Putting some rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab, rub gently in a circular motion until all the thermal compound is removed. You may need to use a few cotton swabs for this process and depending on the hardness of the thermal compound will depend on the toughness of getting it off. The compound is supposed to be gooey to do its job. If it isn't gooey then it is a good thing you are replacing it anyways.
When you are done cleaning, you should be able to see writing on the GPU. Be sure to cleanup around the GPU as well as soak up any excess rubbing alcohol.
Before and After GPU Clean
Cleaning the Heatsink
More to clean....Yeah!
The heatsink should be apart from the video board at this point. Since the heatsink is solid metal (in my case copper,) you don't have to be as gentle in cleaning it. Still, use rubbing alcohol and this time a non-abrasive paper towel or cloth you can clean away the thermal compound until the heatsink shines back at you (or is clean.) When cleaning, clean with the grain of the metal. This prevents micro scratches and the like.
See image below for before and after shots of the heatsink cleaning process.
See image below for before and after shots of the heatsink cleaning process.
Before and After Heatsink Clean
Are We There Yet?
About 1/2 Way Done......
Now that we are done the cleaning process we can move the video card away from us and begin to work on the heatsink fan. You will find that the fan is likely held in by 3 or more very small screws. See image below to see the black screws. You will need a precision screw drive to remove these screws.
NOTE: Don't get rid of the screws. You will likely need them for the new fan. The fans I ordered didn't come with any screws, so I had to reuse the stock screws.
NOTE: Don't get rid of the screws. You will likely need them for the new fan. The fans I ordered didn't come with any screws, so I had to reuse the stock screws.
Removing Old Fan Screws
Old Fan Removed, New Fan in Place to Make Drill Holes
I know there is no picture of the fan missing, sorry. Anyways, after removing the old fan, you will want to put the new fan in place (centered) to mark your new drill holes.
NOTE: Chances are when you purchase an new fan it will not line up with the current holes, so you will need to make new ones. In my case I put the fan in the center, and scratched a few marks on inside the heatsink area.
NOTE: Be sure to measure the size of the fan, the one I needed for my project was 40mm. Yes, everything is in metric, so you will have to get a metric ruler or convert from American to Metric.
NOTE: Chances are when you purchase an new fan it will not line up with the current holes, so you will need to make new ones. In my case I put the fan in the center, and scratched a few marks on inside the heatsink area.
NOTE: Be sure to measure the size of the fan, the one I needed for my project was 40mm. Yes, everything is in metric, so you will have to get a metric ruler or convert from American to Metric.
Creating Drill Marks for New Fan
The Drill and it's Bit
My screws where a little bigger than a 1/16" so I used a 1/16" drill bit to bore holes. This allows later for the screws to tighten in place. It is possible that your heatsink has larger screws, so be sure to evaluate before drilling.
The wood block is to have something to drill against. When going through metal you will be going all the way. I wouldn't think you would want to damage the table you are working on or leave a sharp punch out hole on the back side of the heatsink.
The wood block is to have something to drill against. When going through metal you will be going all the way. I wouldn't think you would want to damage the table you are working on or leave a sharp punch out hole on the back side of the heatsink.
1/16" Drill Bit (for metal) and a Block of Wood
After Drilling the Holes
Keep in mind that he metal shavings that left over from the drilling is sharp and dangerous. Be sure to dispose of it carefully and also be sure the pieces are cleaned away from the heatsink and the work area before proceeding to the next step. Don't use your fingers to clean the metal shavings, unless you like being cut up and hurt. Compressed air into a trash can is best to use for the heatsink and a damp paper towel is best for the table top.
New Fan Attached to New Holes
Screw in the Screws
With the mess all cleaned up and you are now back to a dry/clean working environment you can install the new fan into the screw holes. This is seen in the image below. Only use hand tools to screw in your screws. Over tightening the screws can cause them to strip and then become useless.
Applying Thermal Compound to GPU (Processor)
Applying Thermal Compound to GPU and Heatsink
I highly recommend getting some Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound for this and any heatsink related project. It is known across the computer industry to be the best in heat transfer.
When applying the thermal compound, apply smoothly and gently across the GPU to about 1 mil thick (approx. 2 sheets of copy paper.) I use a business card to apply the compound. The point is to use something that will not scratch the GPU or heatsink.
After applying 1 mil of compound on the GPU, apply a really think layer of compound on the heatsink where the GPU will be contacting. This acts as an connection or adhesion point.
See images above and below for visuals.
When applying the thermal compound, apply smoothly and gently across the GPU to about 1 mil thick (approx. 2 sheets of copy paper.) I use a business card to apply the compound. The point is to use something that will not scratch the GPU or heatsink.
After applying 1 mil of compound on the GPU, apply a really think layer of compound on the heatsink where the GPU will be contacting. This acts as an connection or adhesion point.
See images above and below for visuals.
Arctic Silver
Applying a Little Thermal Compound on Heatsink
Just about Done
Hurray!!
After thermal compound has been applied, you can now place the heatsink back in its cradle (press the clips back into their holes) and replug in the power connector to the new fan.
Hope you have had success with this tutorial and with any further hope you gave some new life into your video cards.
Oh, yeah, by the way my cards are running an average of 55c when in games and 40c Idle. A far cry from the 100c previously.
Hope you have had success with this tutorial and with any further hope you gave some new life into your video cards.
Oh, yeah, by the way my cards are running an average of 55c when in games and 40c Idle. A far cry from the 100c previously.
Heatsink reattached to Video Card with New Fan
Could always Upgrade your Video Card Altogether......sigh
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- RyansCCS RyansCCS Sep 20, 2009 @ 8:57 pm | in reply to Echo Eric
- Not too sure what to advice on this one other than it possibly being a bad fan and it is sending voltage irregularities back to the card. You might be best to try another fan. The fact that it uses less amps with that little decrease should not be an issue.
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- Echo Eric Echo Eric Sep 20, 2009 @ 7:03 pm
- Replaced fan on GeForce Fx5200, computer would not boot properly until new fan removed. I am now running without any cooler, bad. Is there a setting you must change for it to accept the new fan. Same size, volts, 0.07 difference in amperage(less).
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Reply
- Harry F. Harry F. Sep 2, 2008 @ 12:43 am
- I recently replaced the entire cooler on my Radeon 9800 Pro card. Yeah, it's an older card but a goodie. The fan was toast so I replaced the heatsink and fan assembly with a Zalman copper unit (VF900-Cu). The only problem I had was I had no display and my PC beeped repeatedly after I put it all back together. I rechecked everything and realized the original connector on the card didn't have anything plugged into it since the Zalman unit was connected to it's Fanmate controller. I temporarily plugged in the original heatsink unit and tied it up out of the way to get my PC to boot properly. It works great now, but I'm looking for info. on how to fool the card into working without the original heatsink connector attached. I'm not quite ready to jumper the connector or cut the original heatsink cable and leave it plugged in. I don't want to short anything out. I'll keep looking for info. on this situation.
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Reply
- khaled khaled Aug 22, 2008 @ 5:27 pm
- Thanks alot man i have been having the same problem for a long time gonna get a new fan tomorrow.
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Reply
- DirkF DirkF Aug 20, 2008 @ 7:48 am
- Very nice article. This is easy to understand and the documentation is really good in detail! This could find its place in our blog about sCrew tOOls as well.
DirkF
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