Hey all,
just wanted to pass this story on to you guys:
Last week I tried to exchange the fan on my VGA card -- the cooling result wasn't satisfactory, so I switched back to the stock cooler.
Trouble is that I couldn't play any games using Direct3D on the computer after the modding/unmodding -- I got massive artifacts. 2D graphics worked fine, though. Since the card's still on warranty, I considered an RMA, but didn't have much hope of getting it through.
This morning, I took the card out and inspected it. I saw that some thermal grease (Zalman's silicon based variety) was left on various parts of the card, among those between two of the contacts on the AGP rail. I cleaned it off using a Q-tip and mild force. (Wished I had had some rubbing alcohol handy).
Put the card back in, turned the computer on. Ran dxdiag without a hitch. Started my fav games (Battlefield series) -- AND IT WAS BACK TO NORMAL!
Conclusions:
1. Even silicone based thermal grease can be conductive -- at least it can disturb electronics.
2. Be scrupulous about cleaning off any thermal grease residue, regardless of where they are deposited.
And, of course: Don't spill any thermal grease in the first place.
Slightly OT: Check your card after modding!!
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