Guide: Fitting a ATI HD4870 512mb Full Cover WaterBlock.

[Brad]

As there isn't many guides around I thought I may try and write one to show the guys new to Water cooling or even Water cooling a Graphics card that it isn't that daunting and is worth giving it ago.

You will need a small Phillips screwdriver, Thermal paste and some cleaning solution like meths (Not White spirit). I will be fitting a full cover block to a Ati HD4870

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First its advisable to discharge the static on you body before touching any of your hardware. Then take your card and locate all the screws on the back of the card and undo them all.





Once all of them unscrewed carefully remove stock cooler from the main board and you will be left with something like this.





Grab your meths and clean off the old thermal paste from the core and remove the thermal pads also left on the card and cooler. Now to grab your block.





This block in particular has two parts to it that need bolting together but before this happens thermal paste needs to be added between the two parts for effective heat exchange. Im using Artic cooling MX-2 as it seems to cool very well, is non-electrical conductive and is alot easier to work with than others iv used.





Put a small amount to start on the joint and spread the length of the joint with a credit card or stanley knife blade.





I also did the same on the other side just to be sure of good contact.





Once spread out along the joint use the 3 screws provided and tighten the two parts together. Clean any paste that you can see with some meths as its nasty stuff that gets everywhere if your not careful. You will be left with something like this.





Now to Join the two together. Grab your card, you will need to add thermal material where the two meet so all highlighted red is where more paste must be used in the same way as before (A small amount spread thin with a card.) and the blue and green are where the different thicknesses of thermal pads that are supplied with the card go.





Should look something like this.





Once thats done line up the new block with the card holes and start to screw the new screws provided in until there hand tight. Then slowly tighten them one by one a little each time evenly working from the center core outwards until there tight but not over tight that they start to bend the card. Then your done.





All thats needed now is to leak test this in your loop for 24hours recommended and enjoy your new quiet and cool card.

If anyone feels theres something i should add to this please comment below.

[k4p84]

Nice little guide.

Some have found that old thermal paste / pads make separating PCB and Heatspreader difficult. Running the card for a little lets the heat make the process easier.

ED

[Brad]

This didnt hold at all but the card was pretty much new so maybe that helped.

[benhomer737]

will keep this handy for when i eventually get a decent enough card

[Iaink]

I fitted my 8800gtx waterblock this morning, it was a little bit difficult to remove the HSF but it just required a bit of twisting and sliding from side to side, the stock heatsink had a massive amount of paste on it though!

[yubre]

Can also use the old heatdryer if thermal pads are causing stock HSF to stick.

Would also suggest removing and refitting blocks to make sure there's good contact as some don't use standoffs in there design.

[sunjoo]

this will come in handy when i watercool my 460