"Delidding" RAM with Liquid Nitrogen, ft. Joe's Trick

How to remove RAM heatspreaders, except in a less practical (but very effective) way. Learned this trick from Bearded Hardware.
Joe's version is over here: • Removing DDR Memory He...

[@glizzystrapzz]

What the video should be titled: Cookin up some gourmet ram with chef steve

[@MrMW2nd]

Steve from chef's nexus

[@aflyingmodem]

Liquid nitrogen applications are very interesting

[@vikmanphotography7984]

This itsn't really a LN2 specific thing. It's just a demonstration of differing thermal expansion coeffecients. The thermal interface contracts&expande faster than the components it's attatched to, therefore ripping itself off the circuitry.

[@aflyingmodem]

@@vikmanphotography7984 but it is a LN2 specific thing,...he used LN2, sure other things could have done the same thing, but to know you could do this with LN2 is really cool....I don't understand the purpose of your comment.

[@kendokaaa]

The trails above the ram in the LN2 look a lot like the trails of condensation in a cloud chamber for visualizing particles

[@DrakkarCalethiel]

Thought the same, very "cool" effect indeed!

[@Vatharian]

Yeaaaaa, and that a little bit suspicious.

[@MaxC_1]

@@Vatharian considering Electronic devices emit Electromagnetic radiation anyways so yeah not a surprise at all

[@Vatharian]

@@MaxC_1 EM radiation doesn't cause condensation trails. Alpha particles do. You could get comparable effect on resonant frequency near microwave emitter or with laser, but it look different. If Steve had a mechanical wrist watch with tritium lumina it would explain it, or they could have very old smoke detectors in the office.

[@todayonthebench]

@@Vatharian Old smoke alarms wouldn't really be explaining all those trails. Nor would a watch face.... That there is a lot of trails, could be excessive radon in the air, but that is likely not that case either due to ventilation in these types of commercial spaces. (unless the ventilation system takes in air from low ground levels, that can actually increase radon levels indoor "slightly", but not much... And it won't accumelate.) In the end, I would likely put it down to the fact that the LN2 bellow is still boiling. This can cause agitation that creates its own contrails. This is why cloud chambers are mostly sealed boxes, and the air within is practically motionless. Just blow a little air into them and they get upset and gives a lot of false positives. After all, the air is saturated with water vapor, in a similar fashion to how critically cooled water doesn't freeze. But give it a reason and it quickly freezes, the same thing goes for the air in a cloud chamber, give it a reason to condense into smoke, and it will quickly do that. But technically, one can build a cloud chamber with just an open vat and LN2. Just don't have stray air blowing over it. But the noise within the system needs to be sufficiently small for the energy in a fast moving particle to be statistically significant. (This is a pathetic amount of energy btw...)

[@TriccyViccy]

Gotta be honest, those kits look really nice with the sparkly shite removed.

[@cvdvds]

Until the non-diffused RGB LED's come on and it looks like a cheap chinese toy. Oh wait, they already do that with the sparkly shite on top.

[@wisico640]

Probably should have released them without that plastic diamond pos 😅

[@Vatharian]

Bit-Tech did awsomejob on making them actually look good in his recent build - he romved the sparkly thingy.

[@drkinetics384]

If only there was a model of the ram without the sparkly stuff..oh wait a second there’s actually 2 other models without it. Huh

[@damianpasfield4338]

The non rgb trident z look alot better wthe the red plastic strip removed as well

[@yokailover]

"Liquid nitrogen is very cool...." GN Steve 2020

[@gsainoy]

yes

[@twilightravens9798]

Aha I see what you did there

[@MarcoGPUtuber]

Bringing the content nobody knew they wanted to see.

[@monchiabbad]

Would have been nice to have a video of you freeing all the memory modules of their heat spreader and the subsequent installation into the workstation with clips of the memtest run and a little before after short benchmark or real life comparison .

[@MRboss11]

Seeing you deep fry the RAM has made me hungry

[@Highsensberg]

Nexus Fried Rams

[@Blarb]

i love these types of videos are these the type of videos that go up on Patreon because i may just have to join

[@nicmonberg5974]

For average Jo I use a heat gun which does the job just fine as well.

[@PainterVierax]

if done improperly, the heat gun can desolder SMT components or damage them. That's way more risky than using cold.

[@ValkyrieStarTV]

@@PainterVierax Yeah don't need to heat it that far lmao, I have a craft heatgun which doesn't get anywhere close to hot enough melt stuff, it barely melts plastic if i try my hardest to do so but it's brilliant at getting glue seperated. A paint stripper or solder workstation heatgun will incinerate and melt stuff though.

[@leafbelly]

There's something so satisfying about watching RAM cook in LN2. You should add some close-up stereo mics for an ASMR version.

[@xpyr]

Loved the way it looked as it was evaporating.

[@shunyaatma]

Sure getting the TridentZ heat spreaders are a PITA because of the adhesive but LN2 is just overkill for the job. It is a super fast method though. I had used an old credit card for slowly prying without putting too much pressure in a small area and the process took a few hours.

[@gnsteve8846]

Well, that's sort of the point. We didn't say it's the most practical way, but it took like 30 seconds on one of those modules.

[@Neggy-Z]

Could of just used a heatgun to help with the removal of the heatsinks and saved yourself a few hours

[@shunyaatma]

@@Neggy-Z Didn't have one handy and it kinda takes a few days to source one via online sellers or a couple of hours to go down to the local electronics market here in India.

[@shunyaatma]

@@gnsteve8846 Probably a silly question but what would be the effect of pouring LN2 on the silicon adhesive used for gluing CPU lids? I can understand that there can be other repercussions from trying to delid CPUs with LN2.

[@-PVL93-]

I don't know what's cooler - the fact that this chemical reaction exists, the fact that it looks like the liquid is boiling but really it's slowly evaporating, or the fact you can put electronics like ram sticks into nitrogen and they'll still work as if nothing had ever happened to them

[@lBonaCl]

I wonder if that googone stuff would penetrate the thermal pads enough to release in room temp. Since with stickers the adhesive tends to wick the stuff pretty well, a few sprays with 5 minute intervals and sometimes the stickers just slide off without any significant scraping.

[@gnsteve8846]

Maybe! Haven't tried it. Good idea!

[@lindasherman9921]

My main concern would be the oily residue that Goo Gone can leave (it's made of petroleum distillates). This isn't flammable, but it can put off hazardous vapors, which is why you're only supposed to use Goo Gone in well-ventilated areas. The instructions on the bottle I have say to use soap and water to clean it off.

[@lBonaCl]

@@lindasherman9921 I've wiped the sticker spots Isopropyl alcohol. If the surface can't handle IPA, I've used a damp (plain water) towel if there is some residue left by the generic stuff I've used. The can I have has no mention of having to wash it off with soap. It has a very potent citrus smell to it which lingers for hours after use, maybe the soap wash would help with it.

[@MikeStavola]

It may penetrate the memory package. It may work, but would need immediate cleanup with Techspray, or another similar product.

[@niccadoodles]

@@lBonaCl You need to use purified water (no minerals added) at the minimum. Any hard water left behind will short circuits.

[@HitomiOokami]

Memory Science with Chef Steve. that was epic lol. ♥

[@casualepic2555]

Steve: There's really no reason to liquid cool your ram THERMALTAKE! *two days earlier* Steve: We need to break out the liquid nitrogen for this RAM! love it!

[@TrailFeatures]

Cool trick. 🙃

[@SquintyGears]

"we're just going to let this boil" good cooking show for the side channel steve

[@BadRusMan]

A couple of days ago I've just used hair dryer and wooden ruler in order to remove old thermal pads and replace them with arctic ones. Worked perfectly even though it gave me only 3c of improvement under extreme test mem + gpu stress test at the same time. But it is good result for me because it is mostly around 30c at my room in the summer.

[@ClickingPixels]

You are having so much fun in the video

[@Marc_Wolfe]

Am curious how RAM speeds/timings affect mutli-tasking, and if the affects are more noticable than JUST gaming or JUST streaming.

[@alialbather6116]

I love the new channels icon\picture with snowflake

[@inkysteve]

I had a nice set of 4x2400 DDR3 and I tried to remove the heatsink from one of them and it removed two chips. Luckily a few months later I got an x58 board so I could use the survivors in triple channel.

[@henry1477]

Does ln2 not damage the rubber on the mats? Seems like it would crack it or something

[@xDownSetx]

We know you're actually practicing cold boot attacks. I got my eye on you!

[@krazybonnie5523]

would something like dry ice and alcohol work?

[@streetguru9350]

How is the plastic not just cracking? Also are you sure dry ice isn't good enough?

[@GrimpakTheMook]

Oh, its similar to the method on how to remove the paint from your car's interior. Strip the rug out and put a few dry ice blocks directly on the floor and *pop* goes the paint layer.

[@cluke2010]

Would love to have the clear rgb diffuser that comes on top for a project 🤫😀

[@paulthetexan]

If you don't have LN2, and you do have a bit of patience, soaking your RAM overnight in isopropyl alcohol works really well. That's the method I used on the system I'm typing on right now.

[@TheSmileyTek]

I still love the look of that ram lol. I know, I know, but I dig it! Playing with LN2. Who doesn't want to?

[@bruubbreaks]

Can I buy two of those rgb light diffusers?

[@agenericaccount3935]

Removes warts. Removes tacky heat spreaders. Removes Jay. Nothing it won't do. Also as an aside, I had a set of ripjaws where the aluminum was so warped the spreaders pulled themselves off somewhere between the factory and my doorstep. Easy peazy.

[@DrakkarCalethiel]

Wonder if a DICE and acetone bath is enough to crack the adhesive.

[@gtijason7853]

Acetone bath without the dice is enough, but it will remove any printing on the label . That would make an rma impossible. I'd go with just the dry ice and a hot air station, heat gun or hair dryer. Warm em up, toss em in with the dice, if that doesn't do it hit em with heat again once they are close to -78.5C

[@DrakkarCalethiel]

@@gtijason7853 Thanks, gonna try it next week. Have a passive SFF build going, but that damn heatsink is just way too large! (or more like the mem is too high :D)

[@TheKoivie]

Nice I learn something new everything . have fun and keep it real thanks for the learning info ...

[@edsknife]

I took the heatsink off of a dead stick of RAM and was appalled to find sticky foam where there should be thermal pads. Is that normal?

[@rdoursenaud]

Yes because RAM heatsinks are just a marketing gimmick.

[@agenericaccount3935]

*while working with LN2* "It's cool"

[@urmensch12]

So where do i get cheap LN2 then?

[@DirkFedermann]

I had to do that to my RAM in order to install my beQuiet Shadow Rock LP. I took a boxcutter to it and slowly cut away the thermal glue pad.

[@mattchew5014]

That was awesome

[@menpee]

This new GN BBQ side channel seems cool.

[@danielspellingclausen4669]

Isn't that basically cracking? Like, if you use thermal paste not applicable for LN2 cooling? But pretty cool :)

[@Vableme]

That cat hair like effect is called surrounding radiation. Basically it's the radiation that's happening all around us. You could see nearly the same results with cloud chamber. It only works with cold enough temperature and humid air around it that became cloud. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[@mystical4442]

Steve's alternative to grilling.

[@liamahchow7045]

Need an ifixit toolkit to get the RGB diffuser off easier

[@SpuriousECG]

You start with LN2 frying RAM, you end with taking server blades out of your oven.

[@johnnychang4233]

A memorable Cryo-Tempura?

[@jonesaleroy]

Can I buy those heatsinks?

[@Tpbmods]

I always just stuck to using a hair dryer/heat gun

[@UrokLizard]

How much do you charge for ram "delidding" service?

[@pseudocoder78]

Is there a reason tongs were not an option?

[@kommanderoffice5392]

The lines in the Fog is maybe radiation. The nebula chamber is a legit way to make radiation visible. Against this theory is the amount of lines. To get so many lines you would need a a serious Radon contamination in something like a unventilated cellar.

[@MonsterSound]

Why are you up so late? Wait, ... why am I up so late? Science. 😎👍

[@Kapisketo]

I would use some rubber tools instead of metal tools when handling the RAM sticks in the LN2

[@twistedone3190]

Great topic for a video but why not remove the plastic and cut the metal down to fit? So you still have a heat spreader.

[@OfficialMageHD]

4:40 looks like the particle effect from the minecraft enchanting table lol

[@AtheistJr]

I don't know why I've watched this video 5 times. I just really like watching the cat hair LN2 smoke.

[@EnvAdam]

I have pried heatspredders off memory and although successful twice in a row I'd advise against it because you could probably crack a PCB.

[@Bobzillaaaful]

dont forget to apply the LM after delidding :P

[@edplat2367]

Let me tell you my own RAM story. Have 8x8gb 2400mhz ddr3 g skill trident x. I needed to remove the extended fins on the top. This should be as simple as undoing the screws on either side of the ram heat sink and sliding the extended fins off. The problem is the tolerance of the extended fins on top are so tight that this is not possible. I read up online and other people has the same issue, so I took to removing it by hitting it with a hammer from the side. Fortunately all 8 sticks still work as they should despite one of them having a dent in the side of the main heat sink.

[@-eMpTy-]

Actually have the same kit and didn't have this issue.

[@sobe8991]

peeling like a savage, slapping it down like a dmv employee.

[@pistonsjem]

IMO its better if you used solvent to dissolve the adhesive material

[@squeekerradio9523]

Id love to buy the G skill royal led bars off you for my new pc using the EK-Quantum InWin 909EK. Who do I email about it.

[@Gess1t]

Steve: we have slow 2400, 2666 memory Me: cry in 1666 memory

[@kitsune2858]

wat is the bak4e 56time"?\

[@farawaythrower]

Time to make some LN2-proof modmats

[@BeardedHardware]

Man that bearded, what a slacker haha

[@IIGrayfoxII]

Bit-tech used a heatgun on his Tritent Z Neos

[@asydia5026]

Welcome to another episode of Cooking with Steve here on the GN Network

[@gearcheck101]

Hair dryer and dental floss (the tape kind).. a bit more accessible.

[@moik1]

I couldn't have left the others on. That would bother me.

[@jeyendeoso]

Chef Steve deepfrying some gourmet chips, 2020 colorized

[@izamanaick]

Steve: Don't yank the heat spreader off, it could damage the components Also Steve: 8:00

[@ek8507]

next time you can use wooden chopsticks to pick it out of LN2. also excellent tool for electricians who just need to poke and prod.

[@canem101]

my Gskill ddr3 fell off with age. Is that delidding? lol

[@eightbitJuan]

This weirdly made me hungry

[@KnurdMonkey]

Why?

[@Coloneljesus]

Took Steve 8 minutes to remember he had two hands.

[@shlouski1]

Wow. This looks like a slow, difficult and expensive way to do it, personally I use a hairdryer or heat gun to soften them up and pry them off.

[@backupplan6058]

So let’s look forward to Boiling with Buildzoid.

[@jubthreesixnine688]

Legit Awesome

[@shiffterCL]

why tho? Serious question.

[@YTHandlesWereAMistake]

Dense fog white color, no mirror finish and no “diamonds” on top this ram actually looks nice for a change! Normally it’s distasteful imo. Call it Arctic White and start selling it, G.Skill

[@teensuicide9103]

Spray contact cleaner inbetween heatsink and ram, wait 10 secs, take heatsink off.

[@gautamdiwan5952]

That's how Deepcool name was invented

[@ff00005]

awesome video is awesome

[@EvilCerealBoX]

"It's f***ing raw!!"

[@Forcy1989]

Damn now I am hungry

[@TreborSelt]

Cooking something in the opposite thermal direction. 🤣👏

[@stephenfritz7493]

So if I do this i should get some sushi and ask for some extra chopsticks?

[@Teatime4Tom]

PCBs can be beautiful too.

[@AetherProwl]

“I feel like Gordon Ramsay”

[@0Harriz0]

"It's fooookin' raw!!!?"...

[@geovani60624]

I don't know how it's glued but if it's something like doublesided tape type of glue you can remove it using soy oil, dip it in it and the blue will give out in no time but then you will need to wash it with soap to remove the smell xD

[@Vatharian]

Hey, Steve, would you mind checking your office radiation levels? Those trails in LN2 were suspicious....

[@lip-filler-looks-rank]

$40 for ram $140 for heatspreader..

[@phillycheesetake]

Dental floss achieves the same result. But liquefied gas is fine too.

[@carlosbarrigaorellana2690]

4:48 I though you where going to say radiation condensation trails.