Installing an aftermarket cooler onto your video card can provide some substantial cooling benefits, and allow you to overclock your video card further without having to worry as much about overheating.
In this guide I’ll teach you step-by-step how to pick out and install an aftermarket cooler onto your video card.
Find your video card model
Before you can even buy a new cooler for your video card, you’ll need to find out what make and model of video card you have. If you already know what video card you have, then you can skip to the next step.
To find out the model of your video card, simply click on the Windows Start button, then type in “dxdiag” into the search bar and click the display tab. From here you can see all kinds of information on your video card.
Pick out the cooler
Once you’ve figured out what video card you have, you’ll need to pick out the right cooler for it and make sure that it is compatible with your video card. Every video card cooler will list what video cards it fits and works with.
Depending on your needs, you may also wish to look into water cooling your video card. However, keep in mind that water cooling is more difficult to install and maintain.
Remove the old cooler
To remove the current cooler on your video card, you’re going to need a small screw driver (Usually a Phillip’s head but it can vary) and rubbing alcohol.
Before you begin, make sure you discharge any built up static electricity by touching a piece of metal (The case of your computer should work). This will insure than you don’t accidentally fry your video card.
You’ll want to start by removing the video card from your motherboard, then you’ll need to disconnect the cable on your video card that powers the current cooler.
Once you’ve disconnected any and all cables on your video card, flip it over and begin (Carefully!) removing each of the screws. Once all the screws have been removed, gently remove the cooler and fan from the video card.
Now that the old cooler has been removed, you’ll need to start removing the old thermal paste and built up gunk from the video card by using the rubbing alcohol and a rag. Make sure you don’t use too much of the rubbing alcohol, and be careful to not get it on any of the circuits.
Install the new cooler
Now you’re just about ready to install the new cooler onto your video card. Before you start make sure you have a screw driver, some thermal paste and of course your new cooler.
Now, apply a small amount of the thermal paste to your GPU chip. Make sure it’s not too much so that it globs up everywhere, but still enough that it covers the GPU chip when you press the new cooler onto it.
Once you’re done with the thermal paste, you’ll want to slowly ease the new cooler onto your video card and carefully attach it through the retention brackets. Then, begin screwing it onto the video card.
After you’ve successfully fastened the new cooler to your video card, be sure to connect and cables to power the new cooler and then proceed to install your video card back in your computer.
You’ll want to run a few stress tests and keep on eye on your temperatures for the next few hours to make sure everything is working correctly and your new cooler is running smoothly.
