My R9 280X Graphic card is dirty

[GAGAN 55]

Today i opened my cabinet and saw that my R9 280X GPU is dirty and have some king of liquid on it. I don't know what is it but i am very scared by seeing this. Although my card is still working but how to make sure that its fine and don't have any problems ???????????

 

[andy_Man]

Turn off the system, remove the card. Clean it with 99% isoprophyl alcohol.

 

[GAGAN 55]

do you please guide me how to clean it ????????????

 

[PapaWood]

Can you discover where the liquid came from? I would investigate that as well. clean anything that needs it and take your time.

 

[GAGAN 55]

my case is completely close and don't know what happened but i think that this might be a rat's doing

 

[coozie7]

Have you spilt something on/near your system recently?
Is your system liquid cooled? If so there could be a leak in which case it needs to be found and cured very quickly.
Where is the liquid?

 

[GAGAN 55]

i don't spilled anything but i am using corsair h80i and don't think that there is any leakage

 

[coozie7]

If it is, or you think it is rat urine you MUST get it cleaned professionally, rat urine carries some VERY nasty germs, and I mean deadly germs.

 

[GAGAN 55]

how to get it cleaned ????? please tell me

 

[andy_Man]

I use qtips with isoprophyl alcohol also coffee filters make good micro-fiber clothes. Also try and do this in a static free area, or at least ground yourself.

I decent way to ground yourself is to have your pc plugged in with the power supply turned off, then you can touch the case with one hand while you work. You could also pick up an anti-static wrist strap and clamp it to your case if you're worried.

 

[andy_Man]

How would rat urine get inside your case? Is the top of your case mesh? I would suspect the cooler first.

 

[GAGAN 55]

i have checked the top already and it isnt the case 🙁

 

[PapaWood]

Yeah im with Andy, if your case is closed, no fan or mesh on the top the closed loop cooler may of leaked, You should inspect it and see if there is any sign that something dripped out of it.

 

[coozie7]

Yep, sounds like a little drip off the cooler CPU fittings.
As Adny_Man says you'll need to use pure alcohol, you should be able to get it from a Chemist (Pharmacy) it's the stuff they wipe your arm with before giving you an injection.

 

[GAGAN 55]

i am currently inspecting the case but putting that aside will you please tell me what to do?????? i don't know how but my pc is working fine so how to get it cleaned ?????????????

 

[GAGAN 55]

you mean i just have to clean its back plate ?????????

 

[coozie7]

Well, at least you don't have to worry about getting any nasty bugs.
To check the cooler for leaks: wrap a piece of soft tissue over a cotton bud and dab it on the underside of each hose connection of the cooler, any liquid should be instantly visible.
These coolers are sealed for life, if it is leaking you need to either replace it or return it under warranty.

 

[GAGAN 55]

so should i need to worry about my graphic card ????????

 

[coozie7]

If the card has a backplate just wiping it may not be enough, you should remove the backplate and clean the circuit board underneath as well.
You don't need to be too fussy with the backplate, just wipe it with a soft tissue.
For the circuit board, follow Andy_Mans instructions with the cotton buds (Qtips) or coffee filters.

You NEED to find the leak, so you can start the warranty return procedure.

 

[GAGAN 55]

will it void my warranty????????

 

[PapaWood]

you should still clean it off, not worth the risk, as they said below you want to get the strongest Isopropyl alcohol you can 99%

 

[coozie7]

It should not void the warranty, most cards I've had use warranty seals on the 4 main screws holding the cooler down, you won't be touching them.

 

[GAGAN 55]

i live in india so don't know where to buy it. Will you please send me a link from where to buy it??????
and can i use rubbing alcohol?????
and at last should i use alcohol on just backplate or on the circuit board also

 

[coozie7]

Rubbing alcohhol should be just fine.
No need to use the alcohol on the backplate, just wipe it dry.
When cleaning the circuit board do NOT wipe it, just dab the alcohol moistened Qtip/cotton bud/coffee filter gently onto the surface, alcohol is an astringent so it absorbs water and the cooling solution in your H80i is mainly water. Use several Qtips/cotton buds/coffee filters if you need to, changing it when it looks like you need to. Once the circuit board looks nice an clean leave it an hour or so to dry out fully before reinstalling the card.
You may not even need to clean the circuit board, if the leak is small, it my just be on the backplate.