DIY Xbox 360 GPU Heat Sink Replacement Guide

– Grab hold of the hard drive assembly and give that release button a little press while gently lifting the front edge up.

– Carefully slide the hard drive assembly out from the top vent.

– Get your console ready by standing it up vertically with the bottom edge facing upwards – easy peasy!

– Next, take your trusty spudger or Xbox 360 opening tool and insert the flat end into the small gap at the front edge of the bottom vent. This is where the magic happens!

– Now, gently pry the front edge of the bottom vent away from the faceplate. Take your time and be careful, you’re making great progress!

– Start by unleashing those clips! Approach from the front edge of the bottom vent.

– Gently lift the front edge of the bottom vent while using the spudger’s tip to nudge the clips nearest to the front inwards, coaxing them out smoothly.

– Now let’s give those bottom center clips the same treatment! Release them using the same technique.

– Alright, let’s give those bottom vent clips a little nudge! Use your trusty spudger tip to pop them free. Start with the one closest to the back of your Xbox.

– Let’s get that bottom vent off the 360. It’s like giving it a little breath of fresh air!

– Gently slide the flat edge of your trusty spudger between the faceplate and the outer casing, right by the power button. You’re doing great!

– Now, glide that spudger along the edge of the faceplate to pop those clips loose that are holding it snugly to the front of the console. Keep it up!

– Now it’s time to free the left side of the faceplate – just repeat the same smooth moves you mastered earlier.

– Gently pop off the faceplate from the front of the console. You’ve got this!

– Ok, so stand that console up nice and straight, like it’s ready to party! You’ll see the top vent chilling under the faceplate, held down by a couple of clips. We’re after those first two clips hiding under the vent’s edge, as shown in the pics.

– Gently slide the flat end of a spudger into those tiny gaps we talked about earlier to pop those clips loose. You’ve got this!

– Let’s get those clips loose! Start in the middle of the top vent and work your way outwards.

– While gently lifting the front edge of the top vent, use the tip of a spudger to push those clips towards the inside of the console. It’s like giving them a little nudge to say “goodbye!”.

– Use your trusty spudger to gently release the clip on the top vent, it’s the one closest to the back of the Xbox’s upper case.

– Time to get started! Use the tip of your trusty spudger to gently release the clip on the top vent nearest the back of the Xbox – it’s easier than you think!

– Now, carefully remove the top vent from the 360. You’re making great progress!

– Position the console so it’s standing tall with the top edge pointing down. It’s like giving your console a little bit of a pep talk!

– Gently remove the warranty sticker from the console. Think of it as giving your console a little spa treatment—be careful and patient!

– Time to get started! Use the flat end of a spudger to release the latches in these key spots:

– Just above the front-facing USB ports – carefully pry them open.

– Beneath the front-facing USB ports – another latch to release.

– Up above the Memory Unit slots – one more to set free.

– Gently slide the flat end of a spudger beneath the edge and give it a little nudge upwards to pop open that last latch hanging out right above the eject button. You’re almost there!

– Gently pry up the front part of the lower case to make sure those sneaky front latches are fully released.

– Press the Xbox 360 opening tool down into the clips securing the lower case to the upper case near the I/O ports.

– Now, while keeping the tool pressed down, carefully pry the lower and upper cases apart. This will release the retaining clips and give you access to the innards!

– Gently pry apart the upper and lower cases. As you do, use the tip of a spudger or an Xbox 360 opening tool to nudge the long red clip towards the center of your console.

– You’ll feel it release! Now the only thing holding the upper and lower cases together are the clips near the power connector.

– Now, take that sweet Xbox 360 opening tool and gently press it down into those last two clips hanging out near the power connector.

– Time to give those cases a little separation! Push them apart to release those stubborn retaining clips.

– Flip that console over so the front is looking down at the floor, just like it’s taking a little nap.

– Now, grab hold of the back part of the lower case and give it a gentle lift, separating it from the console like you’re unveiling a surprise!

– Grab your trusty spudger and gently nudge the clip that’s holding the eject button snug against the metal casing.

– Slide the flat end of that spudger right between the eject button and the optical drive like you’re sliding into home base.

– Give the eject button a little nudge to pop it off its posts, and then lift it away from the 360. Easy peasy!

– Let’s get started by removing the six silver 64 mm T10 Torx screws that hold the upper case in place. Grab your trusty screwdriver and carefully take out these screws to begin the process of freeing the upper case from the metal casing.

– Position the console with the upper case facing up, just like a proud trophy!

– Gently lift the upper case straight up and off the console, as if you’re unveiling a masterpiece.

– Let’s peel off that silver tape holding the optical drive to the metal casing.

– Give that optical drive a little lift upwards—just enough to reach the SATA and power connectors on the back. You got this!

– Time to give that power connector a little love! Grab it by its cables and gently pull it straight out of its socket on the optical drive.

– Now, let’s disconnect that SATA data connector. Just give it a gentle tug straight away from its socket on the optical drive.

– Gently lift the optical drive assembly out of its cozy metal home.

– Let’s get started by inserting the flat end of a spudger into the small rectangular opening on the top of the cooling fan duct – it’s a tight fit, but don’t worry, it’s doable!

– Next, carefully release the fan duct retaining clip – take your time, it’s a bit tricky. If it’s being stubborn, you can also use the metal finger of an Xbox 360 opening tool to give it a little nudge.

– Once the clip is released, you should be able to remove the fan duct from the Xbox. Nice job! You’re making great progress.

– As you gently lift the metal chassis strip above the dual fans, give those fans a little nudge toward the center of the motherboard. You’ve got this!

– Time to get this repair started! Carefully lift the dual fan connector straight up from its socket on the motherboard – it’s like freeing a tiny captive.

– Now, gently remove the dual fan assembly from the console. You’re making great progress!

– Time to set that RF module shield free! Use the flat end of a spudger to gently release the clips holding it in place along the top and left edge of the RF module.

– Now, carefully remove the RF module shield from the console. You’re making great progress!

– Unscrew those three 5.6 mm T8 Torx screws holding the RF module snugly against the metal chassis. You’re doing great!

– Grab the RF module and give it a gentle lift straight up to unplug it from its cozy spot on the motherboard.

– Take the RF module out of the console with care.

– First things first, let’s get those screws out! Start by removing the screws that hold the motherboard snugly against the metal casing:

– Oh, and if you’re putting your Xbox 360 back together after the Red Ring of Death Fix Kit is in place, those eight T8 Torx screws shown in orange will just sit this one out—they’re not making a comeback.

– Next up, you’ve got nine shiny gold 11 mm T10 Torx screws to take out.

– And don’t forget about the eight sleek black 5.6 mm T8 Torx screws; they need to find their way out too!

– Gently slide the motherboard assembly up from its front edge. You got this!

– Carefully take out the motherboard assembly from the metal casing, and give yourself a pat on the back for being awesome!

– Alright, slip that awesome flathead screwdriver between the X clamp and its post on the heat sink. You got this!

– Now, gently pop that X clamp up and over the little groove on the post. Easy peasy.

– Slide your screwdriver in between the X clamp and its post, keeping it parallel to the motherboard.

– Give that screwdriver a twist to loosen the X clamp, and it’ll pop right off its post. You got this!

– Let’s kick things off by securing two corners of the X clamp to the posts on the heat sink. Easy peasy!

– Now, while you keep that third arm of the X clamp pressed down against the heat sink post, grab a small flathead screwdriver. Use it to gently pry the X clamp away from the heat sink post. You’ve got this!

– As you give it a little nudge, keep pressing down on the arm of the X clamp until it smoothly ‘walks’ into the retaining groove on the post attached to the heat sink. You’re doing great!

– To put everything back together, just work your way through these steps in reverse – easy peasy!

– If you didn’t quite get it done, no worries! You can always schedule a repair and let the pros handle it.

– You’re all done! Pat yourself on the back, you’ve successfully completed this repair guide from Salvation Repair.