56k warning:How to Mod a 7800/7900GTX stock cooler to a 7800/7900GT!!

Breex243 · 03-17-2007, 02:14 PM

Ok, for all you out there who want GTX performance out of GT, the best way is to merely cool the RAM and VGA core. This is my experience with this mod.

Time required: 30-40min
tools/materials needed:
*drill for hole
*1/4 in drill bit should be big enough
*grinding/cutting wheel-I used a large masonry wheel on a rotozip and it was fine
*marker
*thermal paste

Well I started off with a 7900GT and found the target areas of work:
#1. THIS IS HUGE-the #1 problem of not fitting---The tiny capacitor on the left of the core. This is where the drill and bit come in-to drill a hole where the capacitor slides in.
#2. Fan power jack-a tiny bit needs to be removed. the masonry wheel was great for this.
#3. Plate of aluminum on the bottom of the left side of the HSF. This needs to be cut off at the 3 thin spots.
#4. On the right side of the HSF, you need to wedge off a tiny 1/8th of an inch from the "staircase" part

Pics below:
Before:

prob #1:

Prob #2:

Prob #3:

Prob #4:

Finished!!:

^note, i still have to work on the electrical part of things. I'll do that when I get some of those lucrative SATA power pins. Also, I'll have to cut some bits out of my case for the HSF to fit outside of it. That means much better cooling as even more heat will be directed out of the case.

anyone want a lapped 7900GT cooler (lapped with 3.5 micron polishing paste)?

StealthKill · 03-17-2007, 02:34 PM

If you get everything working perfectly I'd love to know. I have a 7900GT and its getting a little outdated, so if I can cool it better might as well try it.

Breex243 · 03-17-2007, 02:35 PM

actually i'm in the need for some thermal tape, so i'm going to buy some RAM heatspreaders and cannibalize the tape from them

Breex243 · 03-26-2007, 07:50 PM

RAM heatspreaders came in today and I was able to cannabalize the tape. not too sure how well they'll stand up, but it'll be better than the gap I had.

everything fits perfectly now, just have to wait for the rest of my components.

I'd have to say the excitement factor of this mod was an 8-i was worrying so much that the HSF wouldn't fit at all, then I planned it out and did it, and wasn't so cool after that.

I guess I just wanted to stick this idea out there and be the first on the internet (i think) to bring it up and say that it can be done and it's a great way to recycle an old 7900/7800GTX cooler after WCing your GTX.