Cleaning a GPU HSF?

Cheeseball · Jun 23, 2009

Hi guys,

I'm looking for some tips on how to clean my Palit 9800GT's HSF (this one has a dual-heatpipe configuration) and looks to be all aluminum. The metal seems to have oxidized, but rubbing the affected parts with a paper towel for around a 30 seconds seems to have smoothened them out a bit.

Is there another way I can clean this HSF more quickly and make it shine again?

Thanks.

kenkickr · Jun 23, 2009

1st get some Goo Gone(I like the smell

) and just put a little bit on a paper towel and wipe away. Once that's done get some Alcohol, 75-91%, and clean the goo gone off. About the only thing you can do for the oxification would be to lap but it shouldn't affect temps that much.

Cheeseball · Jun 23, 2009

Hmm.. my problem is how am I going to get inbetween the fins?

kenkickr · Jun 23, 2009

I will either use cotton swabs(the kind you clean your ears with) or if the fins are really pressed together tightly I'll bring out a soft bristle tooth brush.

mc-dexter · Jun 23, 2009

To clean all parts of my rig, i use a new (never been used) paint brush

simple but effective

Cheeseball · Jun 23, 2009

Hmm, a tooth brush and paint brush sound good. Is it recommended to dip the heatsink (with the fan removed, of course) into a bucket/bowl of water or some other cleaning liquid then scrub and dry it up right away?

kenkickr · Jun 23, 2009

NO!!! Do not dip the Heatsink into anything. It's that old listen we were taught...I little dab will do ya. Just put your cleaning material on the brush and use that. Alcohol is great cause it drys quickly but isn't going to damage/ruin the heatsink.

mc-dexter · Jun 23, 2009

A clean dry long brisle paint brush will do fine, no need for cleaning liquids.

Cheeseball · Jun 23, 2009

Okay, thanks! I'll head over to the store tomorrow and get me a paint brush and an extra tooth brush for good measure. I've got some alcohol and a lot of paper towels left over, so I'll be brushing away.

Anything I can do to make the HSF shine again though?

mc-dexter · Jun 23, 2009

ummm "silvo" or "brasso" maybe,

KainXS · Jun 23, 2009

never put a heatsink in water, I once dropped a vf900 in water and destroyed it, the temps were like 30C hotter ever since,

no joke, . . . . don't do it

Cheeseball · Jun 23, 2009

Thanks again.

erocker · Jun 23, 2009

mc-dexter said:
ummm "silvo" or "brasso" maybe,

Never ever EVER use Brasso on aluminum! :eek:

mc-dexter · Jun 23, 2009

It was just a thought, can't say i've ever tried it, but thanks for the heads up before i ever did try it :laugh:

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Cleaning a GPU HSF?

Cheeseball

Not a Potato

kenkickr

Cheeseball

Not a Potato

kenkickr

mc-dexter

New Member

Cheeseball

Not a Potato

kenkickr

mc-dexter

New Member

Cheeseball

Not a Potato

mc-dexter

New Member

KainXS

Cheeseball

Not a Potato

erocker

*

mc-dexter

New Member

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