How to (agressively) add VRM and RAM Cooling to a GPU
0This video shows me adding some small copper heatsinks to the VRM chips and RAM chips on a GPU, and also reapplying thermal paste. The GPU is being handled roughly, but it handled it well and continued to be used for another two years after this without problem before being sold. Hardware is not as-fragile as it appears nor am I handling it as-roughly as it appears either.
Process includes taking the main heatsink off the GPU, removing the small heatsinks off the chips, removing the weak adhesive off the small heatsinks, cleaning the VRM and RAM chips, cutting and applying new adhesive to small heatsinks, applying them to the VRM and RAM chips, cleaning off the old thermal paste on the GPU die and main heatsink, applying new thermal paste, putting the GPU back together, and presenting it.
Around 3:20 shows what the GPU looks like by-default (without the main heatsink on). The VRMs have no extra cooling, and the fan on the Twin Frozr III cooler don't go over it exactly (it's like 1cm off; but I'm sure some of the air pushed by the fan comes in-contact with the chips a bit).
GPU works great after doing this. I was running it overclocked (1125MHz on the core clock at 1.2V) and with a high Power Limit (50%).
I ran out of small heatsinks to do the other RAM chips. It seems I can only add two more to the side I already have the other two on. The top row of RAM chips doesn't appear it will have enough clearance, but using flat or very small heatsinks might work.
Also the heatsink falling out of my hand at 3:38 didn't cause any damage (luckily :p). So as a helpful tip, you should probably work with the heatsinks away from the GPU. This is my own personal GPU, and the video does not represent how I handle other's hardware (I take far more precautions and handle devices much easier).
This is the entire process, unedited, and without commentary. Feel free to skip around some parts, or use the speed options (on HTML5 player).
The beginning part where I cut some black string; I had the heatsinks held on with weak thermal adhesive, and didn't want the chance of them falling off, so I reinforced it with some sewing thread. It did hold well, but it wasn't really suitable for long-term or serious temperatures.
Products used:
- Enzotech BCC9 VGA Cooler (8 heatsinks; only used 7)
- SEKISUI Double-faced Adhesive Tape (#5760)
- GELID Solutions GC-Extreme Thermal Compound
- MSI R7850 Twin Frozr 2GD5/OC (with shroud taken off)
- Generic Microfiber Cloth
- Isopropyl Alcohol (90%)
- Toothbrush (to remove old paste from around GPU die)