Why Did I Even Clean This? | EVGA GTX 980 Ti SC+ | Dusty Fans 14

EVGA GTX 980 Ti SC+ GPU cleaning and restoration with 28 thermal pads! Watch the full teardown, wash, repaste, and benchmark results in Dusty Fans #14. See full before & after data: https://www.dustyfans.com/cleanings/2025-09-09-evga-geforce-900-gtx-980-ti-sc-gaming-acx-20 Products in this video (affiliate links support the channel at no extra cost to you): - Replace 28 thermal pads on this GPU — Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad 8 (1.0mm): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZJSBRE6?tag=hakehardware-20 - Premium thermal paste for the GPU die — Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZJSF5LM?tag=hakehardware-20 - Protect your workspace from static damage — iFixit Anti-Static Mat: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U6PDNPI?tag=hakehardware-20 - Remove hidden screws and tiny fasteners — iFixit Mako Driver Kit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0189YWOIO?tag=hakehardware-20 - Scrub thermal pad residue off the PCB — Anti-Static ESD Brush Set: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1C8C6VZ?tag=hakehardware-20 - Displace water and speed up PCB drying — 99% Isopropyl Alcohol: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CGR7XJ9?tag=hakehardware-20 - Blow dust and water off delicate components — Electric Compressed Air Duster: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D2GY1WMK?tag=hakehardware-20 - Remove sticker-covered screws on EVGA cards — Wagner HT400 Heat Gun: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000X4SMRQ?tag=hakehardware-20 - Prevent GPU sag on heavy cards like the 980 Ti — upHere GPU Support Bracket: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ8C93XR?tag=hakehardware-20 0:00 - Intro & GTX 980 Ti Overview 0:45 - Before & After Benchmark Results 1:17 - The 28 Thermal Pad Nightmare 2:35 - Stress Test & Performance Data 3:05 - Board Condition & Thermal Paste 3:51 - Disassembly Begins 4:34 - The Hidden Screw Under the Sticker 5:07 - Removing All the Thermal Pads 6:02 - Cleaning Fan Blades & Shroud 6:44 - Washing the PCB 7:26 - Drying with Air Blower & IPA 9:04 - Reapplying Thermal Pads & Paste 10:20 - Final Thoughts & GPU Giveaway Related Videos: - GPU Cleaning | GTX 1070 FE | #1: https://youtu.be/6MrugkZUWJI - Mysterious Thermal Pad | MSI GTX 970 Gaming | Dusty Fans 12: https://youtu.be/r0mO72mABvc - GPU Cleaning | EVGA GTX 560 SC 2GB | #2: https://youtu.be/P7MKUkCjvac - Mysterious Thermal Pad | MSI GTX 970 OC | Dusty Fans 13: https://youtu.be/NpcH5wgN9zM - Shortest Dual Fan GPU? | GIGABYTE GTX 960 | Dusty Fans 15: https://youtu.be/GHlC6XU9W5I Do you have a GPU that you would like to donate and see featured on the channel? The dirtier the better! All donated GPUs are given away after cleaning (assuming no major issues found). Email me at dirtygpu@hakedev.com. Dusty Fans cleaning data: https://www.dustyfans.com Follow on X: https://x.com/HakeHardware Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/uAdsVBWYfX #DustyFans #GPUCleaning #EVGA980Ti #GPURestoration #ThermalPads