i have a 9800XT and from time to time i have problems with it heating up like mad
when the card gets hot enough (100º C or higher) you will see what i can only describe as the most amazing display of colored objects
the 9800XT has a built in thermometer so you can check of it's overheating...
go to display properties->settings tab->advanced->overdrive tab
the normal temperature range is from 55ºC to 75ºC anything above that is a cooler malfunction
if you're handy with a screwdriver you CAN take the cooler apart and repair it yourself
there are 4 very tiny screws underneath the cooler blades that hold it in place
using a very small phillips screwdriver, remove the screws. don't let them go under the cooler plate (i assume you'll take the card out of the computer before you wedge a tool into it)
disconnect the cable that powers the cooler and take it out
there may be a sticker on the underside of the cooler covering an opening in the center with a small pin inside... this is the the axle of the cooler fan
(remove the sticker, if there)aroung the axle you will see a very small plastic ring that holds it in place... using the screwdriver, carefully lever it out
the fan is loose now and you can pull it from the mount and remove any dust and whatnot from the motor
the problem with these things is that they have no bearings inside, it's just an axle in a hole... so what i did and worked great, if you can find some lubricating oil (the kind used on doorknobs and hinges) apply a small amount to the axle and the hole it fits into... it should get rid of the friction that causes it to spin slowly...
to close it, put the fan back in place and wrap the plastic ring around the axle again (you will need the tiny screwdriver again, maybe even 2 of them)
if there was no sticker on the back, i advise you to stick a square of duct tape there to keep dust from collecting inside the opening (the oil might make an ever bigger mess when combined with balls of dust)
reconnect the power cable and screw the reassembled cooler back into it''s housing
there... it should be spinning nice and loose now
WARNING: i DO NOT reccomend you do this unless you are REALLY sure of what you're doing (or have nothing to lose no more)... plus you might lose your warranty (even though you don't break any of the seals)
i think this procedure apllies for most coolers, not only the 9800XT one... it's good for when you can't just buy a new cooler (these video card coolers can be quite hard to find)
c ya
Moach
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