Pro/Forums - View Single Post - Confused. Question for those who have mounted RAMsinks on 6800GT with reference HSF

babybunny · 10-03-2004, 09:47 PM

I'm watercooling my 6800GT, which means I have to mount RAMsinks onto the 6800GT. I have a [L=MSI NX6800GT]http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=NX6800GT-TD256&class=vga[/L]. It looks like it has the reference HSF.

Here's what happened:

1. Took off retail HSF, cleaned off remaining thermal compound with acetone.
NOTE: The thermal compound touching the RAM was a thick, pink, squishy material. It felt waxy to the touch. Definitely not sticky at all.

2. Put RAMsink on RAM. This is where it gets weird: The sinks would not adhere at all. They would actually SLIDE around on the RAM surface when moved lightly with a finger. Took off RAMsink, felt the bottom, and the thermal adhesive was definitely very very sticky.

3. Tried putting sink on a second time, this time applying pressure. Still the same thing.

4. Figured that the RAM surface was either oily or the adhesive is not strong enough.

5. Cleaned RAM surface with a bit of palmolive detergent (emulsifier). Replaced adhesive with a stickier kind.

6. Mounted sinks again. This time it is a little bit stronger, but can still be knocked off quite easily.

WTF is going on? Does anyone else have this trouble? Am I going to have to resort to a nonpermanent mixture of AS and thermal epoxy? What could be covering the RAM surface?

10-03-2004, 09:47 PM	#1
babybunny Cooling Savant Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: USA - Ohio Posts: 120	Confused. Question for those who have mounted RAMsinks on 6800GT with reference HSF I'm watercooling my 6800GT, which means I have to mount RAMsinks onto the 6800GT. I have a [L=MSI NX6800GT]http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=NX6800GT-TD256&class=vga[/L]. It looks like it has the reference HSF. Here's what happened: 1. Took off retail HSF, cleaned off remaining thermal compound with acetone. NOTE: The thermal compound touching the RAM was a thick, pink, squishy material. It felt waxy to the touch. Definitely not sticky at all. 2. Put RAMsink on RAM. This is where it gets weird: The sinks would not adhere at all. They would actually SLIDE around on the RAM surface when moved lightly with a finger. Took off RAMsink, felt the bottom, and the thermal adhesive was definitely very very sticky. 3. Tried putting sink on a second time, this time applying pressure. Still the same thing. 4. Figured that the RAM surface was either oily or the adhesive is not strong enough. 5. Cleaned RAM surface with a bit of palmolive detergent (emulsifier). Replaced adhesive with a stickier kind. 6. Mounted sinks again. This time it is a little bit stronger, but can still be knocked off quite easily. WTF is going on? Does anyone else have this trouble? Am I going to have to resort to a nonpermanent mixture of AS and thermal epoxy? What could be covering the RAM surface?