GPU Stripped Screw Hole

[noahsteeze]

Hello all, I have a question about an issue i ran into with my GPU yesterday. I was replacing the thermal paste and as i was putting the card back together one of the screw holes is stripped (photo below) that is used to apply pressure between the cooler and card. I am scared that this is going to cause the card to overheat due to the less pressure that is being applied. Am i safe to use the card without this screw? I am unsure if this voids neweggs VGA only replacement policy or not.

If i had to (due to newegg not willing to replace the card) i was thinking about forcing a different screw into the hole as a drastic measure to save the card. Is this a bad idea because of the specific screws that are used for these holes?

Here is a photo of the stripped hole: http://i.imgur.com/YeHlIdB.jpg

 

[ThatVietGuy]

I'd be wary of not using that particular screw point. If it were any other screw (not one of the four holding the cooler near the GPU chip) you'd probably be fine.

And the problem with forcing a new screw into the hole comes with two problems: 1) it's going to be a pain to get it out again since most likely it's going to need a lot of force to get it in and 2) that extra force to get the screw in might damage the card itself.

The good news is that at least it the screw point is on the cooler itself. You can always buy the same cooler from eBay or some other place as a replacement. Worst case (if you can really call it that) scenario is to buy an aftermarket cooler.

 

[makkem]

Hi
This might be worth a try.
http://

 

[noahsteeze]

The good news is that at least it the screw point is on the cooler itself. You can always buy the same cooler from eBay or some other place as a replacement. Worst case (if you can really call it that) scenario is to buy an aftermarket cooler.

I have searched ebay for people selling the same cooler but to no avail. They are just all used cards, not just the coolers unfortunately.

 

[ThatVietGuy]

You can always try to use the GPU as-is and test it to see how high the temps go.

If it gets too high looks like you'd have to go aftermarket cooler.

 

[noahsteeze]

Yeah, figured thats my best option as of now.
Could you possibly point me in the direction of a good cooler? I thought water cooling would be best but that is a bit pricey atm.

 

[ThatVietGuy]

I use this one on my R9 290 and it's been working great.

Pain to install but a solid cooler - http://www.amazon.com/ARCTIC-Accelero-Xtreme-III-Cooler/dp/B007YLUCKQ

 

[noahsteeze]

Will give that a look. Thanks for all the help!

 

[17seconds]

Hi
This might be worth a try.
http://

This is what I would be looking into. If you use a new cooler, you'll still have the stripped socket to deal with.

 

[noahsteeze]

Not necessarily, as the stripped hole is on the cooler itself.

 

[noahsteeze]

This might just work, actually. One thing i am unsure of is if it creates a permanent hold on the screw or if it just gives new life to the stripped hole. Will look into it. Thank you.

 

[ThatVietGuy]

Could work, though I want something more substantial holding my GPU together.

 

[17seconds]

Could work, though I want something more substantial holding my GPU together.

I'd use a Loctite-type solution in there that will harden around the old screw. That's pretty close to what I already found in my same screw sockets when I removed the heatsink. There was some substance that they applied at the factory that came out with the screw that had hardened a bit to ensure a tight seal.

Maybe try that first, then go get a nice Accelero Extreme IV cooler to put on there instead.