Cleaning Video Card

[daniell59]

Can I remove the fan and clean this video card? Also, do I need to apply any heat transfer gel like I use on the CPU?

Thanks in advance for your kind and informative replies.

[CelticWarrior]

Yes, it looksw like it needs a cleaning and yes, you should re-apply thermal past.

[daniell59]

Yes, it looksw like it needs a cleaning and yes, you should re-apply thermal past.

I looked over the situation. There were no bolts holding the fan in place. Some kind of plastic fasteners. I applied alcohol to Q tips and cleaned it the best I could. I don't know how to remove the fan.

[CelticWarrior]

Yes, some are not designed to be be easily disabled but they can in one way or another. However, if you aren't confident on your ability to do so then you better don't do it. OTOH it's not like that card is valuable or anything like that.

[Frogs Hair]

Micro vacuum attachments work very well for cleaning electronics if you have them. I have used them for cpu fan and graphics card cleaning.

[daniell59]

Yes, some are not designed to be be easily disabled but they can in one way or another. However, if you aren't confident on your ability to do so then you better don't do it. OTOH it's not like that card is valuable or anything like that.

It's more of a diversion than a necessity. I think that I paid $10 for the card on Ebay.

[CelticWarrior]

Now noticing your quote I realize my horrible mistake and butchering of Shakespeare's language. So, here's the corrected test:

Yes, some aren't designed to be easily disassembled but they can be, in one way or another.

[Autodave]

Hold the fan from spinning and blast it with a compressed air can.