Help! My 4890 died:

ObSo-1337 · Sep 7, 2012

Last week my beloved XFX 4890 heat sink fan died. Usually this is easy enough to fix (replace the fan/heat sink) but the four screws fixing the gpu bracket to the PCB will not budge. Someone said to me that they might be lock tight screws and the only way to remove them is the use a soldering iron?. Unfortunately I don't have access to a soldering iron at the moment and I would love if anyone had any tips or tricks about how to unscrew stubborn screws. Thanks.

FreedomEclipse · Sep 7, 2012

Is it possible to have a pic of the screws you are trying to unscrew???

no manufacturer should put use tight lock screws (or gel on the screws) as this would only make it more difficult for them when it comes to being RMA'd

In the event that you cant get it off. pick up a cheap Radeon 7850 or even a 6850 if you are on a budget.... Im guessing that you dont require a lot of horse power otherwise you would have upgraded from that 4890 a while back.

phanbuey · Sep 7, 2012

a small drillbit to drill out the top of the screw would do the trick

INSTG8R · Sep 7, 2012

phanbuey said:
a small drillbit to drill out the top of the screw would do the trick

While that would get the cooler off it's gonna make it even MORE Hell trying to get the rest of the screw out

Still needs the screws "out" to put anything back on there.

ObSo-1337 · Sep 7, 2012

FreedomEclipse said:
Is it possible to have a pic of the screws you are trying to unscrew???

Crap sorry. I was sure I linked a photo. http://imgur.com/YnYsr

DRDNA · Sep 7, 2012

Use a screwdriver that is designed for that size screw...It should come loose as I have never found one that did not...especially all four of them.

CJCerny · Sep 7, 2012

If Loctite Blue was used, you should still be able to remove the screws using a screwdriver. If Loctite Red was used, you will not be able to remove the screws using a screwdriver. Using extreme heat (500F) will break the grip of Loctite Red, but you will cause damage to the PCB at that temperature.

INSTG8R · Sep 7, 2012

DRDNA said:
Use a screwdriver that is designed for that size screw...It should come loose as I have never found one that did not...especially all four of them.

What I was about to post. Need the "right" Screwdriver for the job. "Jewellers" type. I have a whole set of Mini Screwdrivers including Torx. Great Investment!

CJCerny said:
If Loctite Blue was used, you should still be able to remove the screws using a screwdriver. If Loctite Red was used, you will not be able to remove the screws using a screwdriver. Using extreme heat (500F) will break the grip of Loctite Red, but you will cause damage to the PCB at that temperature.

Never seen Loctite Red used in PC gear. Blue is pretty common of course. Red is more "Mechanical" applications.

ObSo-1337 · Sep 7, 2012

INSTG8R said:
What I was about to post. Need the "right" Screwdriver for the job. "Jewellers" type. I have a whole set of Mini Screwdrivers including Torx. Great Investment!
http://img.techpowerup.org/120907/IMG_0716166.jpg

I should invest in some. I've got really cheap screw drivers and they are wearing the thread down on the screws. I'm really scared to touch them again in case I fuck up the screw heads even more

phanbuey · Sep 7, 2012

INSTG8R said:
While that would get the cooler off it's gonna make it even MORE Hell trying to get the rest of the screw out Still needs the screws "out" to put anything back on there.

well no - once you drill out the head the screw comes out away from the card... once he gets the card off he can then use pliers to get the remaining screws out of the heatsink base. At that point out can go to extreme lenghts without risk to the card.

ObSo-1337 · Sep 7, 2012

phanbuey said:
well no - once you drill out the head the screw comes out away from the card... once he gets the card off he can then use pliers to get the remaining screws out of the heatsink base. At that point out can go to extreme lenghts without risk to the card.

Good point. I think I'll keep that as a last resort option though. I don't want to damage anything including the screws. Thank you

INSTG8R · Sep 7, 2012

phanbuey said:
well no - once you drill out the head the screw comes out away from the card... once he gets the card off he can then use pliers to get the remaining screws out of the heatsink base. At that point out can go to extreme lenghts without risk to the card.

If they aren't budging with a screwdriver what makes you think trying to grip whats left of the tiny shaft is going to be any easier to get out?

Needle nose pliers and a "grip of steel" is gonna amount to alot cursing and chewed up shafts and not alot of progress.

ObSo-1337 · Sep 7, 2012

INSTG8R said:
If they aren't budging with a screwdriver what makes you think trying to grip whats left of the tiny shaft is going to be any easier to get out? Needle nose pliers and a "grip of steel" is gonna amount to alot cursing and chewed up shafts and not alot of progress.

I see what he means though. The screw is screwed into the heat-sink. If I drilled off the top of the screw then the card would just come away from the heat-sink and that's what I want.

ObSo-1337 · Sep 7, 2012

Update: Got the screws off using the drill method. Now i need some screws!

Thanks for the help

sneekypeet · Sep 7, 2012

all the screws you need will come with an aftermarket cooler

To replace those, take a good one you have from the others removed from the back of the card and run to the hardware store. They should be able to match it up for you.

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Help! My 4890 died:

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