Washing A Graphics Card
This is a step by step guide on how I washed a WORKING but dirty graphics card – a Radeon HD 4670. Washing a graphics card or any computer component sounds like a recipe for disaster after all electronics and water do not mix.
But I have used this method before to revive dead or defective graphics cards and motherboards. It’s a win some lose some scenario but those are very good odds for a nonworking component. It’s dead anyway so if it works, Great!
DISCLAIMER: If you wish to clean a working Motherboard or Graphics Card I suggest using an air blower. If defective but still under warranty, bring to your supplier for replacement or repair. This will not work on physically damaged components e.g. the burned chip or leaking capacitors.
Using water as a cleaning agent is the last resort. If you have other cleaning agents like contact cleaners and quick drying fluids available, it’s best to use these to clean components.
The Test Subject. A working Radeon HD 4670. Pulled this off from my A6-3500 FM1 unit.
Washing Time
I’m using a working graphics card for you to see that this method if done correctly, will do more good than harm to you computer component. If I mess up, then it’s off to Computer Heaven for my Radeon card.
You will need a toothbrush for scrubbing dirt and grime, detergent soap and clean washing water, preferably running water.
Showing you the dirt and grime that will accumulate on your Graphics Card. If left unclean can lead to damage due to overheating.
Get your Graphics Card, open the faucet and wash the dirt off. You could put plungers on the VGA, HDMI or DVI ports or just minimize wetting these ports since they have deep cavities that could retain water.
Shake and Dry
After running water through the Graphics Card. Put some liquid soap and start brushing lightly. Concentrate on the fans and heat sink. Remove that dirt and grime. Brush lightly or you might loosen up those capacitors.
After brushing. Wash away all soap and suds with water. Check for any remaining dirt and brush again with soap and water. Shake off some of the water.
Shake off excess water. Tap lightly on your palm for some more shaking. Then place under direct sunlight. After a few hours of drying, you can also use a hair dryer or hot air gun to remove remaining moisture if any.
After 3 hours under direct sunlight. Here’s the dirtless, grimeless, squeaky clean Graphics Card. Upon closer inspection, I did miss some dirt on those fans. Tsk.
Check if the graphics card is fully dry. Look at the crevices and ports if there’s evidence of moisture. If satisfied that the unit is fully dry. Insert into your computer for testing.
Upon successful boot up check the graphics card’s fan if working. Install drivers and verify if properly installed and identified at Device Manager.
And you are done! Congratulations for successfully water cleaning your graphics card! If you tried this on a defective or dead card and you managed to revive it, then it’s a WIN. Great Work!
This is a step by step guide on how I washed a WORKING but dirty graphics card – a Radeon HD 4670. Washing a graphics card or any computer component sounds like a recipe for disaster after all electronics and water do not mix.
But I have used this method before to revive dead or defective graphics cards and motherboards. It’s a win some lose some scenario but those are very good odds for a nonworking component. It’s dead anyway so if it works, Great!
DISCLAIMER: If you wish to clean a working Motherboard or Graphics Card I suggest using an air blower. If defective but still under warranty, bring to your supplier for replacement or repair. This will not work on physically damaged components e.g. the burned chip or leaking capacitors.
Using water as a cleaning agent is the last resort. If you have other cleaning agents like contact cleaners and quick drying fluids available, it’s best to use these to clean components.
The Test Subject. A working Radeon HD 4670. Pulled this off from my A6-3500 FM1 unit.
Washing Time
I’m using a working graphics card for you to see that this method if done correctly, will do more good than harm to you computer component. If I mess up, then it’s off to Computer Heaven for my Radeon card.
You will need a toothbrush for scrubbing dirt and grime, detergent soap and clean washing water, preferably running water.
Showing you the dirt and grime that will accumulate on your Graphics Card. If left unclean can lead to damage due to overheating.
Get your Graphics Card, open the faucet and wash the dirt off. You could put plungers on the VGA, HDMI or DVI ports or just minimize wetting these ports since they have deep cavities that could retain water.
Shake and Dry
After running water through the Graphics Card. Put some liquid soap and start brushing lightly. Concentrate on the fans and heat sink. Remove that dirt and grime. Brush lightly or you might loosen up those capacitors.
After brushing. Wash away all soap and suds with water. Check for any remaining dirt and brush again with soap and water. Shake off some of the water.
Shake off excess water. Tap lightly on your palm for some more shaking. Then place under direct sunlight. After a few hours of drying, you can also use a hair dryer or hot air gun to remove remaining moisture if any.
After 3 hours under direct sunlight. Here’s the dirtless, grimeless, squeaky clean Graphics Card. Upon closer inspection, I did miss some dirt on those fans. Tsk.
Check if the graphics card is fully dry. Look at the crevices and ports if there’s evidence of moisture. If satisfied that the unit is fully dry. Insert into your computer for testing.
Upon successful boot up check the graphics card’s fan if working. Install drivers and verify if properly installed and identified at Device Manager.
And you are done! Congratulations for successfully water cleaning your graphics card! If you tried this on a defective or dead card and you managed to revive it, then it’s a WIN. Great Work!
