[SOLVED] How much force needed to remove GPU fan?

[SimplyClueless]

So I haven't used my GPU is the last 6 months since moving. Building a new PC, so i decided to replace the thermal paste on my GPU as well, having been almost 2 years since i got it. I have a Zotac GTX 1080 mini. After removing the 5 screws on the back like on

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3arLdrv1rKc
(not the same, but similar enough). I try pulling the fan apart, but the fan is stuck rigid, I can slightly twist it but I can't get a proper grip and pull hard without worrying about damaging the parts.

Any advice would be appreciated thanks.

 

[hftvhftv]

Double check that you removed all screws holding the cooler onto the PCB, depending on the condition of the thermal paste it may be stuck on there very well. I'd actually try running Furmark with the graphics card in your system to maybe warm it up a bit, then immediately remove it from your system and disassemble it, the paste may come off easier when it's warm. You might be able to get away with just tightening the four screws around the gpu while it's in your system.

 

[hftvhftv]

I once removed my CPU cooler and the CPU came out with it, and the lever was still down.