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Message boards : Graphics cards (GPUs) : How to clean underneath plastic cover?

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Profile Michael Goetz
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Message 15296 - Posted: 18 Feb 2010 | 14:46:37 UTC

I went on a cleaning binge yesterday, but didn't get everything done that I wanted to.

I've got an EVGA GTX280, which comes all nicely shrouded in a pretty plastic case to manage its airflow. While I could get the dust off of the fan blades, I'd like to open it up and clean off the inside of the card and especially the heatsinks.

Does anyone know how to non-destructively get the plastic cover off? And does doing so void the warranty? Seems odd that doing so to clean it (and thus extend its life) would void the warranty, but you never know.

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Message 15299 - Posted: 18 Feb 2010 | 15:33:56 UTC - in response to Message 15296.

The thread I am linking to has links in post#4 which go into more detail than you will need but does address your question about removing the cover and warranty.

http://www.evga.com/FORUMS/tm.aspx?m=68861&mpage=1#70389
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Message 15300 - Posted: 18 Feb 2010 | 16:54:14 UTC - in response to Message 15299.

Use a Vacuum cleaner.

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Message 15304 - Posted: 18 Feb 2010 | 17:25:11 UTC - in response to Message 15300.
Last modified: 18 Feb 2010 | 17:25:55 UTC


Use a Vacuum cleaner.


I was. I'd still like to get the cover off for direct access to the heat sink for cleaning.

I looked at that write up about disassembling the shroud. Ouch. I could see doing that once to attach a water block, but doing it once every month or so seems way too invasive and likely to cause damage.

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Message 15307 - Posted: 18 Feb 2010 | 17:29:47 UTC - in response to Message 15304.
Last modified: 18 Feb 2010 | 17:30:12 UTC

With the pic of what it looks like inside do you think you could attach a drinking straw (or some other flexible narrow diameter tubing, fish tank supplies maybe?) to the end of your vacuum cleaner to get to the innards?

I have found that regular vacuuming my cards is the best way to keep temps down. The difference between doing maintenance every month and every other month is almost surprising.
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Message 15310 - Posted: 18 Feb 2010 | 17:56:27 UTC - in response to Message 15307.

With the pic of what it looks like inside do you think you could attach a drinking straw (or some other flexible narrow diameter tubing, fish tank supplies maybe?) to the end of your vacuum cleaner to get to the innards?

I have found that regular vacuuming my cards is the best way to keep temps down. The difference between doing maintenance every month and every other month is almost surprising.


I actually was using a straw/vacuum hose combo to clean the CPU heatsink. However, both ends of the GTX280 -- the rotary fan on the inside or the exhaust vents on the outside -- are too small for even a small straw. Furthermore, I still wouldn't be able to see how much dust, if any, is trapped in there.

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Message 15317 - Posted: 18 Feb 2010 | 21:48:27 UTC

Blowing into the exhaust, either by mouth or e.g. a hair dryer, can be more effective than sucking the dust away due to the higher air speeds.

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Message 15318 - Posted: 18 Feb 2010 | 22:01:50 UTC - in response to Message 15317.

Blowing into the exhaust, either by mouth or e.g. a hair dryer, can be more effective than sucking the dust away due to the higher air speeds.

MrS


Thanks, I'll try that next time I pull the machine apart. I didn't think of using a hair dryer; that's a great idea. Considering the layout of the vents and the heatsink fins, blowing air into the back vents should clear out anything in there.

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Message 15319 - Posted: 19 Feb 2010 | 0:06:43 UTC - in response to Message 15304.

Get a biro, take the inside out and use it to blow any dust out.

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Message 15352 - Posted: 20 Feb 2010 | 19:29:54 UTC

Compressed/canned air. Works great.
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Message boards : Graphics cards (GPUs) : How to clean underneath plastic cover?

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