i got my G4 ThermalTake GPU HSF today and i discovered that my BFG Ti4200 has thermal epoxy attaching the HSF what is a quick easy way to take it off without doing any damage?

Thermal epoxy? I thought that they always just stick thermal paste on em'

I use acetone to clean it off, you can also use 99.9 isopropole achole to clean it off as well.

Sorry for spelling just woke up!!!!

This is from the artic silver web site:

Clean the mating surfaces completely with a low residual solvent (High-purity isopropyl alcohol or acetone will work) and a LINT FREE cloth. (i.e. lens cleaning cloth or a coffee filter) If another thermal compound has previously been applied to the heatsink, the mounting surface should be thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned with a xylene based cleaner, (Goof Off and some carburetor cleaners) acetone, mineral spirits, or 99% pure isopropyl alcohol. It is important to keep the surfaces free of foreign materials and NOT to touch the surfaces (a hair, piece of lint, and even dead skin cells can significantly affect the thermal interfaces performance, especially on modern small core CPUs as the surface area is already severely limited). In addition, oils from your fingers can adversely affect the performance by preventing the compound from directly contacting the metal surface. (Fingerprints can be as thick as 0.005")

BY THE WAY NOTHING IS QUICK!!!!!Take your time and do it right the first time john.

Put it in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for a few hours. Thermal epoxy breaks down at low temps. Then gently unscrew it like an oreo cookie. Or try to get a plastic card under a corner and carefully work it off. It's probably just a thermal pad though.

Then use Lokie's method to clean the core. Mineral Spirits or acetone work best. Just avoid any oil based cleaners.

ok cool thanks AntiM, i know how to remove it off the core but thanks for the help too Lokie

NO problem john,

thanks guys the freezer thing worked its up and running in my case
the old one was a B!+CH to get off

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I have this exact same card, and I've frozen it, for about 2 hours, and it still doesn't come off, no matter how hard I twist the damn heatsink. Maybe longer like overnight?

Did you use any tools, special methods?

I just did this last night to my 4200. Instead of freezing it, though, I used a blow drier and heated it up a few minutes then worked an old credit card in between the HSF and the chip. Worked pretty well. Don't know what the hell they do that for. I guess clamping it to the card wasn't enough for them so they had to super glue it as well. It is now stuck to the bottom of my dresser where i put it down and doesn't look like its going to budge anytime soon.

[Anonumous] you can always rent a Freezer truck, place your dresser inside for a few hours, remove and try to pry off it off. If it does not work, at least if it's a hot day you'll have cold underwear