PVR-350 heatsink keeps falling off

[spockware]

Anybody have an idea about how to keep my PVR-350's heatsink to stay on? It keeps falling off.

[AWS]

Had the same problem. Go to your favorite online vendor, get the small ArctiClean from Arctic Silver, do the two-step process to clean the surface of the Hauppauge chip then use Arctic Silver's Silver Adhesive heatsink compound to bind the heatsink to the chip. Since the heatsink is already off, you might want to go ahead and upgrade the stock heatsink to a higher-performance unit; like something ThermalRight or any other after-market chipset cooler. Watch the height of the aftermarket cooler if the PVR card is installed next to another card - don't want too high of a chipset cooler to touch the card next to it.

[stanger89]

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_a...l_adhesive.htm

[spockware]

Right on. Thanks!

[stanger89]

You could always JB Weld it

[Kanati]

Pffft. JB Weld... A good half inch screw through the center of the chip will hold it on right nicely.

[bartley9]

I would like to upgrade the heatsink on mine.

does anyone know a good way to get the current one off?

[mikejaner]

With a screwdriver, and some big bawl$

No, seriously, what usually works best is to run the card for a while where it gets hot. Then turn the machine off and yank the card out quickly so the heat doesn't go away. Then use a flat tipped screwdriver and gently twist it so the tip pries up the chip.

[SHS]

DO NOT USE JB Weld just a WARNING! you fry your board JB Weld is not Thermal Adhesive.
Heatsink Remover and Installation Instructions

FAN:
Thing to look for are small vga cooler and or chipset cooler
GlobalWin FAC08
Tennmax Lasagna BGA Cooler
Vantec Iceberq All-In-One VGA and Chipset Cooling Kit
FMI Chipset Cooler Kit
Cooler Master Blue ICE
Thermaltake Crystal ORB or Orange ORB
Also look at 1U 2U Server Heatsinker Fan

There alway the option of Water cooling hehe

GLUE:
Arctic Alumina Adhesive - Premium Ceramic Thermal Epoxy

And not bad idea to get a Dremel just in case you need mod heatsinker a bit and don't forget the Safety glasses a pair of Leather Working Gloves.

[bartley9]

Thanks. A cool 350 is on its way...

[cmaffia]

I heard if you run the card under cold water for a bit and then tap it, it falls off quite easily

Originally Posted by mikejaner

With a screwdriver, and some big bawl$

No, seriously, what usually works best is to run the card for a while where it gets hot. Then turn the machine off and yank the card out quickly so the heat doesn't go away. Then use a flat tipped screwdriver and gently twist it so the tip pries up the chip.

[SHS]

That not very idea cmaffia.

[something fishy]

I've not specifically tried on a PVR350. But the standard MO for removing a heatsink glued to a chip is to put it in a plastic bag and stick it in the freezer. Leave for about 1 hour, then remove from freezer (and bag). Protect the PCB with an old credit card or similar, insert a largish flat bladed screwdriver under the edge of the heatsink and twist (not lever). The heatsink will pop off.

Leave for an hour in a warm room to restore to room temperature and let any condensation evaporate off before doing anything else. Then clean the surface of the chip with an organic solvent of your choice.

[SHS]

What something fishy said is very good way to do it if all else fail

[Crashless]

Be VERY CAREFULL if with this. I've seen pics of chips stuck to the wrong side of the equation with this type of stuff.

I can't find the picture right now, bug hardocp.com recently showed a guy who tried this and ended up ripping all the memory off his new X800, ouch!