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Deeters
Aug 21, 2007


Problem description: Yesterday I had GTA V freeze up on me and had Fallout freeze a couple days ago. I realized I hadn't cleaned out the inside of my case in a while, so I popped it open and vacuumed out the little dust I could find. I decided I should also try to get some of the dust out of my graphics card, but I had to completely remove the cooler from the GPU to do that. I had thermal paste laying around (Arctic Alumina) and reapplied some new on there before I put it back together. After reassembling, I started Doom, and heard the GPU fan speed up a lot and freeze the game. The temp readings on HWInfo 64 show that the GPU was hitting 100 C, while the CPU stays in the low 40s. Sitting here typing this, the GPU stays around 36 C. I also tried running BF4 since I've never had problems on there before, and got the same thing. I'd say it's pretty likely that this is because I took it apart, but I can't figure out what it is I did.

Attempted fixes: Reapplying thermal paste twice. Here's a picture of the paste the last time in case it's as simple as I didn't put on enough or too much.


Recent changes: Cleaning, disassembly, applying thermal paste.

--

Operating system: Windows 10 Professional Build 10586

System specs:
Intel Core i5-3570K
ASUS P8Z77-V LK
EVGA e-GeForce GTX 660
8 GB RAM
250 GB Samsung EVO 850
1 TB WD HDD

Location: :911:

I have Googled and read the FAQ: Yes

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Deeters
Aug 21, 2007


Fruit Smoothies posted:

I don't think this will lead anywhere, but what did you clean it with? I'm after a solvent name and cloth type.

91% Isopropyl alcohol and a generic microfiber cloth

Deeters
Aug 21, 2007


Here's a stock photo of the back of my card


Every time I put it back together, I tighten the four middle ones around the GPU first in an X pattern to keep the load equal. Then i tighten the outer ones and go over them a few times to make sure they're as tight as possible. The paste on the back of the cooler looks evenly spread, but not quite squeezed out the sides if i take it apart again.

Deeters
Aug 21, 2007


I took it apart again:



Should I be getting more contact than that? I'm not sure how to increase the pressure on it when all of the screws are as tight as they'll go. Do I just need more paste?

Deeters
Aug 21, 2007


I got the cheapest thermal paste that Best Buy had in stock, spread it on, and now I'm running at around 70 degrees in game. I guess it was just old paste. $7 for more paste is way better than $300 for a new card. Thanks!

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