Hi all! There are currently few offers for the sale of video cards, and if something appears, it is at very inflated prices. Now is not the best time to buy a new video card for your computer; it is wise to wait a little. For this reason, the demand for video cards has increased in the secondary market, along with prices. And if there is a working card somewhere in stock, but with a broken cooling system, is it worth restoring it and how? Maybe something can be “farmed”?

Photo by the author, one of the options for the “collective farm” cooling system for a video card Photo of the author, one of the options for the “collective farm” cooling system for the video card

There are many ways to repair video card cooling systems. A radiator without mechanical damage is unlikely to fail. But the fans themselves are very easy.

Photo by the author of the channel “My Old Computer” Photo by the author of the channel “My Old Computer”

The most common way is to take a regular 80×80 or other size fan and attach it to the radiator. Who attaches it, I came across video cards where the fan was tied to the radiator with an elastic band from underpants. Some “vandalously” screw in the screws, while others fasten them more carefully with zip ties. The power is connected to the motherboard (3 pin) or to the power supply, but in this case you will need to do a little fiddling with the wires. If successful, the fan will operate at one speed, most likely the highest possible, while making a lot of noise.

Photo by the author of the channel “My Old Computer” Photo by the author of the channel “My Old Computer”

The main thing with all this collective farm is to use the cooling radiator of your specific video card model. Since if you install a heatsink from another video card, there is a possibility that after installation the surfaces of the heatsink and the graphics processor will not fit tightly together. And even applied thermal paste will not help. Or the heat transfer will be carried out with deviations from the norm, due to the design feature of the new radiator from another card. The result will be overheating.

Photo by the author of the channel “My Old Computer” Photo by the author of the channel “My Old Computer”

Well, with all this “collective farm”, it’s better not to look at such video cards. Install it into the system unit, close the lid and do not look into it until it fails or the time comes to replace it.

The best way to repair the cooling system of your video card is to find a “donor” and carry out a modular repair. Separately, cooling systems or non-working video cards are sold on Avito, Yula, Yandex. Advertisements” and flea markets on social networks. You just need to look. Prices range from 250-500 rubles, in rare cases the price reaches 1000 rubles.

Photo by the author of the channel “My Old Computer” Photo by the author of the channel “My Old Computer”

There is also the option of purchasing new universal video card cooling systems or for specific models. The installation of such systems may be different, but it will be much more effective than “collective farm” something. Before purchasing, you just need to carefully study the compatibility with your video card. There is a wide range in prices, definitely more expensive than searching for and acquiring a donor. There is still no point in purchasing universal video card cooling systems if the “cooling” of your card cannot cope. Operating temperatures are close to maximum. Then you can think about replacing or additional cooling. Look at Yandex Market for offers, if necessary.

It’s up to you to decide how to restore the functionality of the cooling system, or not restore it at all. In my opinion, it is better not to try to “collective farm” something. Thank you all for your attention, I will be grateful if you “like” the article. Subscribe to the channel so as not to miss new channel publications.