jotm

For the media panel, I used a thin credit card (expired) to gently pull it up by the corners close to the display (in the directions that the manual shows and pretty much as illustrated on the picture in the first post). I also used the card to pry open the top cover and the display's flimsy plastic frame - works like a charm every time :-).

Yeah, I just found this thread with a picture of the retention mod, and the pressure is definitely much higher than on my heatsink, so I should be fine. I'll screw it back fully during summer, right now it's pretty cool and it works fine. I actually undervolted the chip (it's an FX 770M, g96m core) AND overclock it by 110/170 Mhz core/shader, it's not overheating or anything...

I'd recommend getting Arctic MX4 instead of the IC Diamond - it's MUCH easier to apply and wipe off, and it's just as effective. ICD7 works perfectly for video memory chips, though - I recommend applying it instead of those Fujipoly pads. I bought the 1mm version and it's too hard - it's not easily squished into place like the usual gel pads and your GPU may be left without pressure.

I know this is an old thread, but did you finish the heatsink? I was going to recommend your second option, use a thick (1mm+) copper sheet to create the touch surface, because it would be more effective overall, and make it safe by using springs between the screw and the heatsink to regulate pressure (I'm sure you've seen the design - I can post a pic if you want, though)...

If anyone with a retention mod is reading this, could you please share your thoughts on how it can affect the GPU/CPU long term? I did something similar to my laptop - added a 0.4mm copper shim between my heatsink and GPU/CPU (for a mod I did), then screwed it down, and the pressure definitely increased because of the copper shim. It worked fine, the temperature is lower, too, but I decided to slightly loosen the screws just in case. I wonder if it can damage the GPU or CPU over time, especially since I'm overclocking both.

Nice mod, debaucher! I think that bridging the heatpipes helps a lot, I wanted to do something like that for a Dell M6500. The copper sheets should slow down the temperature increase. I actually did something similar for an Elitebook 8530, albeit a bit more effective. Check it out here, it may work for 8x40Ws and other laptops, as well.