EVGA GTX670 FTW+ 4GB with backplates ... Installing WC Block

[pink]

So I'm fitting a EK-FC680 GTX Full Cover Waterblock - Nickel Plexi to my GPU, I've removed the cooler, most of the thermal pads remain on the card as opposed to the cooler.

Firstly, the thermal paste on the big chip ... there was more of it around the chip, than there was on the chip. When it comes to cleaning it, I've been using TIM Cleaner and a Microfibre cloth, but the metal pins around the chip snag onto the cloth (which I've been doing my best to avoid). This means there's a mess left around the chip, and I'm not sure what to use to clean it or how careful I should be?

Secondly, I was looking over the GPU/PCB when cutting thermal pads, comparing where the old thermal pads were placed in comparison to where the diagram that came with my block said the new pads should be placed ... and I noticed there was a piece of string like fabric (not sure if cotton or acrylic) just over a centimeter in length mostly stuck under one of the larger thermal pads ... don't think it's going to cause any problems, but I was a little taken a back as I obviously didn't expect to find something like that, so thought I'd bring it up in case it's more relevant than I'm currently aware.

 

[NRG!]

blow the fibres off with compressed air.

 

[pink]

Yeah, I should've mentioned. I've gone at it with compressed air. Though if the cloth snags on a pin, no amount of air removes the thermal paste mixed with caught fibers from the cloth.

I've used a bristle (from a paint brush) to clean up such mess a little, but it seems anally retentive to go about it like this, and the results are poor.

And still the pins are covered in paste. I'm assuming I can't use anything cloth like to clean them and around them, because it just makes the situation worse and I'm worried about damaging the pins themselves (the little metal things on this image around the chip, http://www.geforce.com/Active/en_US/shared/images/articles/gtx-680m/gtx-680m-chip.png).

 

[Cloudie]

I always use the ArcticClean Kit (30ml TIM Remover, 30ml Surfact Purifier) together with a piece of cloth or a q-tip for parts where you're having trouble. Works like a charm

 

[FTR.4500MHz]

+1 on the q-tips !