8800 GT Cooling help.

[NoxTek]

Would you suggest heating up the ramsinks before applying them like other people have said or no?

That can definitely make things easier, heating up the ramsinks will soften the 3M thermal tape slightly and allow for better adhesion sooner. You can use a hairdryer set to it's hottest setting to heat up the ramsinks as hot as you can stand them, and then apply them. Just remember to hold firm and even pressure for at least 20 seconds when applying the ramsinks. I do it using my thumb on the ramsink with my forefinger on the backside of the card behind the memory module in question.

 

[jediado]

Ah ok. Thanks a lot blue! Been getting lots of great info, I think I'm ready to install this thing if only I could find it online somewhere

 

[[H]ard|On]

Hmm so is it absolutely imperative I order other ramsinks?

IMO, yes. Or get tape like he did. The heating thing doesn't work. They stick on and then randomly fall off in your case once cooled off. The crud the come with is more like a surface protector than an adhesive. It's quite dificult to remove as well.

No, you can use the ones that come with it if you heat them up well before fitting them so the adhesive gel becomes tackier and bonds better.
Alternatively you can clean the old adhesive gel off and fit them with Akasa thermal tape, I did this.
Cleaning the old gel off isnt easy and involved a pan of hot water, many cloths and some alcohol (not for drinking!).

 

[[H]ard|On]

This is decidedly worse than anything I've ever used. I did not order any extra ramsinks because I thouight everyone who said to get some was a nubbins and I would simply make it work by heating it up, and a good cleaning like you said. Well i cleaned the shit out of the ram, got the sinks so hot the stuff was gelling, and yet still one or two plunked off inside the case after the card was put in. Just a word of warning to people, esp if you're going to OC your memory like i did. Make sure the sinks are on there securely.

The thermal tape that comes with the Accelero ramsinks isn't garbage, it's your standard 3M thermal tape or 'fragtape' that we used to use back in the day. The PROBLEM is that people are not cleaning the BGA memory modules properly and therefore the fragtape will not adhere properly.

You must must MUST properly clean your memory modules before applying the ramsinks!

Here's the problem: The thermal pads that Nvidia is using for the ram on it's reference cooler are VERY greasy/oily. That plus the fact that the ceramic substrate used on the BGA modules is somewhat POROUS means a VERY thorough cleaning job is required.

My recommendation is to use the two-part thermal surface cleaning and purifying kit from Arctic Silver. ($6 at Newegg - one set will last you YEARS). Soak a cotton swab in solution #1 and then use it to clean all of the memory modules. Repeat this process TWO MORE TIMES - because the BGA modules are so porous this is neccesary to remove all of the greasy residue left from those tacky gummy white thermal pads. Next use a cotton swab soaked in solution #2 to remove any leftover residue and purify the BGA module surface. Wait for it to dry.

Now that the modules are clean you can remove the tape backing from the ramsinks and apply them to the BGA modules. You've got ONE shot - once you've put the ramsink on the chip don't lift it back off! If it's slightly crooked oh well, tough cookies. Apple firm and even pressure with your finger for about 20 seconds. Repeat for the rest of the ramsinks and then finish your Accelero installation, being careful not to bump the ramsinks. Once the sinks go through a few thermal cycles they will be impossible to remove without a strong measure of force.

If you can't find (or don't wish to purchase) the Arctic Silver cleaning kit, you can use the same instructions above except use a Xylene based cleaner like 'GOOF-OFF!' or 'OOPS!' in place of solution 1, and 99% Isopropyl Alcohol in place of step 2. DO NOT USE GOO GONE INSTEAD OF GOOF-OFF. Goo Gone is an cleaner based on citrus oil and will just make things worse - it's not at all suited for this job.

edit: oh and as far as the ram sinks that these are, they are only O.K. I have a 3 blade uber 120 mm fan on 7v under my card (not attached, just standing up on 4 bolts underneath it - less weight that way) and without it they get really, really hot with a mild overclock.

 

[Hazaro]

Just use superglue + AS5 on the ramsinks.