First identify how the cooler is attached. A Voodoo3 3000 commonly uses a plain aluminum heatsink held by brass push-pins; many Voodoo3 2000 boards use a black heatsink bonded to the chip with adhesive. Push-pin coolers are removed from the back of the card. Bonded coolers should be chilled in a tightly sealed antistatic bag for about an hour, returned fully to room temperature, and then twisted gently side to side. Do not lever either cooler straight upward against the GPU.
Identify the attachment before applying force
| What you see | Likely attachment | Removal method | Reinstallation material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain aluminum cooler with two brass pins passing through the board | Push-pins, commonly seen on Voodoo3 3000 boards | Release both pins from the back, then lift the cooler away | Thin, non-adhesive thermal compound |
| Black heatsink with no visible retaining pins | Bonded thermal adhesive, commonly reported on Voodoo3 2000 boards | Controlled chilling followed by a gentle side-to-side twist | Non-adhesive thermal compound and a compatible cooler |
These are community-documented board patterns rather than a universal manufacturer service specification. Inspect your particular card and do not assume the model number alone proves the attachment method.
Removing a push-pin heatsink
- Shut down the computer, unplug it, remove the card, and place it on an antistatic surface.
- Turn the card over and locate both retaining pins. Compress or release each pin from the rear of the PCB according to its design.
- With both pins released, lift the heatsink away without rocking it against the GPU package.
- If it does not separate freely, stop and recheck that both pins are fully released. Do not pry under the cooler with a screwdriver.
Removing a bonded heatsink safely
Thermal epoxy is effectively permanent at normal temperatures. A historical 3dfx cooling guide and forum reports describe controlled chilling as a way to make the bond more breakable.
- Put the card in a tightly sealed antistatic bag. The seal keeps moisture from reaching the electronics while the card is chilled.
- Place the sealed bag in a refrigerator for about one hour.
- Remove the bag and leave the card sealed until it has returned completely to room temperature. Open it only when the card is dry; never power a cold or damp card.
- Hold the PCB securely near its edges and apply a small, alternating side-to-side twist to the heatsink. Increase the movement gradually as the adhesive releases.
- Stop if the PCB flexes, the GPU package begins to move, or the heatsink will not budge. Do not pry straight upward.
The documented method calls for a refrigerator, not an uncontrolled freezer cycle. More aggressive cooling can increase handling and condensation risks without giving you a safe lifting direction.
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- ❤ The 100 PCS (8 Different Sizes) heatsink kit with conductive adhesive tape, Easy to use and could effectively provide good heat dissipation.
- ❤ As a Raspberry Pi heat sink (using as raspberry pi 4/5 heatsink/raspberry pi 3B+ heatsink), it has good heat dissipation performance and compatible with most Raspberry Pi cases.
- ❤ The heat sink is equipped with high-performance thermal conductive adhesive, high viscosity, durable and long lasting.
- ❤ This small heatsink kit included : 80 pcs aluminum heatsinks + 20 pcs copper heatsinks( It Contains 8 different sizes of heat sink,Please check the specific size on the picture).
- ❤ the heatsinks also could be used for Cooling Development Board Laptop CPU GPU VGA RAM VRAM VRM IC Chips LED MOSFET Transistor SCR Southbridge Northbridge Voltage Regulator.It is an excellent heat sink for heat dissipation in electronic DIY,You will love it!
Why straight-up prying can destroy the card
The GPU package and its soldered connections can be damaged if the heatsink is levered upward. An AnandTech forum warning from 2001 states that upward prying can remove the chip from the board. A sideways twisting motion distributes the release force across the adhesive interface instead of pulling directly on the package.
Clean the chip and prepare the replacement cooler
- After removal, allow the card and heatsink to reach room temperature and dry completely.
- Use high-purity isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free swab or cloth to remove old thermal compound or softened adhesive residue. Avoid flooding the PCB.
- Inspect the GPU surface and surrounding traces for lifted parts, scratches, or remaining hard adhesive before proceeding.
- Choose a Voodoo3-compatible heatsink whose mounting holes match the card. Do not rely on adhesive alone to compensate for incorrect hole spacing.
- Apply a thin, even layer of non-adhesive thermal compound to the GPU and secure the cooler using the matching pins or another serviceable mounting method.
Do not use thermal epoxy on GPU leads or nearby traces. The 3dfxZone guidance warns that epoxy in those areas can permanently damage the card and makes future servicing impractical.
Rank #2
- Suitable for Raspberry Pi 4, 3B+, 3 B, 2, A, B, B+ boards
- Includes 3 pcs black anodized aluminum + 1 pc copper heatsink
- Thermal conductive adhesive tape backing
- Can be applied with other devices for cooling VRAM VGA RAM, IC Chips, MOSFET SCR, Southbridge , Northbridge etc
- Raspberry pi not included
Common mistakes and what to do instead
- Pulling upward on a glued cooler: stop and use the sealed-bag chilling and twisting method.
- Using a screwdriver as a lever: avoid point loading the GPU package or scraping traces; release pins or twist the bonded cooler instead.
- Opening the chilled bag immediately: keep the card sealed until it is dry and back at room temperature.
- Reattaching with permanent epoxy: use non-adhesive thermal compound and a correctly fitting cooler when possible.
- Applying power before inspection: check for residue, moisture, lifted components, and secure mounting first.
When to stop
Stop the procedure if the board bends, the GPU moves with the heatsink, a pin will not release, or adhesive remains firmly attached after controlled chilling. A damaged vintage graphics card can be harder to replace than the cooler, so professional electronics repair is safer than escalating force.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Includes 20 pieces black anodized aluminum heatsink 9mm
- Pre-applied 3M 8810 thermal conductive adhesive tape backing
- Can be applied for passive cooling of Stepper Drive, MOSFET, VRM GPU, Vram, IC Chips etc.
- Dimension: 0.35 x 0.35 x 0.20 inch / 9mmx9mmx5mm (L*W*H)
- Weight: 0.02 oz / 0.58 gr per piece
Rank #4
- 1. 31mm anodized aluminum heatsink; Dimension: 1.22 x 1.22 x 0.47 inch / 31 x 31 x 12mm (L*W*H)
- 2. Pre-applied blue thermal conductive adhesive tape backing, easy attach to the application with no cutting to do, easy to install.
- 3. This 31mm heatsink kit is suitable for a variety of cooling applications such as 3D printer stepper motor NEMA17, PC chipset, power IC, power electric device, TEC1-12706 Thermoelectric module, LED light devices etc. Can be used with other devices to cool processors, regulators, etc.
- 4. Aluminum alloy, great function for heat dissipation. Reduces CPU and LAN Temperature in enclosed and overclocked environments.
- 5. Includes 6 pieces black anodized aluminum heatsink 12mm.
Rank #3
- 1. Size: 100mm x 60mm x 10mm /3.94inch x 2.36inch x 0.39 inch; Color: black rectangular heatsinks.
- 2. Easy to use: heat sink comes with high quality heat-dissipating double-sided adhesive tape for easy application. Thermal conductivity : 1.32 W/m-k.
- 3. The 16pcs fins increase the area of the board and thus provide for greater heat transfer. Strong heat conductivity and heat dissipation.
- 4. Can be used for heat dissipation in cell phones, power adapters, and various small electronic devices. Also suitable for routers, 3.5" hard drives, 2.5" SSDs, smartphones, game consoles, LED amplifiers, etc.
- 5. Package: 2 x heat sinks 100x60x10mm.
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