Gaming XBox 360 X-Clamp Replacement

[martin88]

Hi,
I read the topic on xbox-scene, it seems that there are two method of replacing the x-clamp. I'm wondering which method is better.

Also, does the two method uses the same part? I have a HomeDepot near me and just want to make sure that these:

Qty - 8 Machine Screw Pan - Phillips 5 x 10mm (DR# - 313) UPC - 030699 801282
Qty - 16 Flat Washer Nylon #10 (DR# - 610) UPC - 030699 869381
Qty - 16 Flat Washer Steel / ZINC Plated 5mm (DR# - 606) UPC - 030699 363087

Are what I need to complete the fix.

Also, should I replace the fan with Talismoon Whisper Fan? If so, what's the best place to order to Canada?

Thanks a lot.

 

[jimmy j]

Use Lawdawg's method. A lot more straightforward (the other method requires drilling). My 360 is still very happy 2 months later.

You also need these (sorry I don't know any good canadian suppliers):

Conductive Paste: Arctic Silver 5 is recommended, but I used Ceramique which works just as well. website (you need arcticlean too)
XCM Unlock Tool: I can strip a 360 in under 5 minutes with this baby. Website
Torx Screwdriver: You need T10 and T8 sizes. You get a T10 with the XCM tool, so you can either buy a T8 or an 8in1 like this.

And yes, get a whisper fan. It keeps your console cool and looks... er, cool!

I got most of the above on ebay which worked out quite cheap. I even found a Ceramique+ArctiClean bundle on there which saved me almost £4.

 

[adgloride]

Use Lawdawg's method. A lot more straightforward (the other method requires drilling). My 360 is still very happy 2 months later.Â

And yes, get a whisper fan. It keeps your console cool and looks... er, cool!

You noticed a difference with the whisper fan? It just seemed as loud and the console still froze. Only difference is it lights up. At the moment I use an intercooler to stop my 360 freezing. But it still seems to freeze. Maybe I will have to do the x clamp fix myself someday.

 

[jimmy j]

adgloride, if your console is freezing you're probably witnessing the first symptoms of RRoD and you can't expect a fan to fix it. If you do end up needing to do the x-clamp fix, I say use the Lawdawg method.

I didn't really buy the whisper for the noise problem (that is down to the dvd drive anyway) I just wanted to add some extra cooling as a preventative measure. The whisper definitely extracts hot air better than the stock fan.




BTW. I looked into the intercooler a while back and a lot of users said they were extremely loud. Plus I saw those pictures of heat-damaged 360's apparently caused by intercoolers.

kinda put me off

 

[capt.fruitcake]

12 pennies whoo hooo! http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=606431 seriously works like a charm.

 

[martin88]

I have everything except for the Talismoon Fan, which I already ordered from GamerSection.ca.

Should I wait for the fan or start with the mod?

 

[aslacker55]

You should go ahead and do it. Hopefully it'll work. Mine was fixed with the x-clamp replacement, but my cousin's 360 was not so lucky. We had to replace the motherboard.

 

[jimmy j]

I would have said wait for the fan and do everything at the same time, but if you're in a hurry, go for it!

 

[adgloride]

adgloride, if your console is freezing you're probably witnessing the first symptoms of RRoD and you can't expect a fan to fix it. If you do end up needing to do the x-clamp fix, I say use the Lawdawg method.

I didn't really buy the whisper for the noise problem (that is down to the dvd drive anyway) I just wanted to add some extra cooling as a preventative measure. The whisper definitely extracts hot air better than the stock fan.




BTW. I looked into the intercooler a while back and a lot of users said they were extremely loud. Plus I saw those pictures of heat-damaged 360's apparently caused by intercoolers.

kinda put me off

They are really loud. So far I've never had a problem. It fixed the freezing for a while. I still seem to get it occationally though.

 

[jimmy j]

They are really loud. So far I've never had a problem. It fixed the freezing for a while. I still seem to get it occationally though.

Let me guess... usually during graphic intensive games like Dead Rising, Gears or Bioshock?

 

[Bob Loblaw]

so that whisper fan is worth buying? would it be a good idea to put on a new 360 for preventitive measures to try and stave off needing to do an xclamp fix?

i remember my brother in law put one kind on his and like 2 days later it overheated i dont know which fan it was?

 

[jimmy j]

so that whisper fan is worth buying? would it be a good idea to put on a new 360 for preventitive measures to try and stave off needing to do an xclamp fix?

i remember my brother in law put one kind on his and like 2 days later it overheated i dont know which fan it was?

If it's a modded 360, then I'd do anything you can to keep the internals cool. Whisper fan is a good start, but there are a few other things you can do as well. Check xbox-scene for tuts on the shroud mod and adding an extra internal fan.

This chart measures the effects of each cooling mod

 

[Bob Loblaw]

nice thanks jimmy j!

 

[martin88]

Just to make sure, the x-clamp replacement is for both CPU and GPU right?

 

[jimmy j]

Just to make sure, the x-clamp replacement is for both CPU and GPU right?

Yes. You're going to remove both x-clamps

 

[Bob Loblaw]

ok one more question, jimmy j, the lawdawg method says to clean the old thermal compound off the chips but doesnt say anything bout putting new thermal compound on? should i put new thermal compound on, and if so what kind?

also should i do all this before i even get the rlod just to try and prevent it? or should i just wait til i get the rlod for the first time?

 

[jimmy j]

ok one more question, jimmy j, the lawdawg method says to clean the old thermal compound off the chips but doesnt say anything bout putting new thermal compound on? should i put new thermal compound on, and if so what kind?

Yeah, you need to put new thermal compund on

Arctic Silver 5 is the recommended brand (although I used Ceramique)

should i do all this before i even get the rlod just to try and prevent it? or should i just wait til i get the rlod for the first time?

Wait until the RRoD hits your console properly (appears within 1 minute of switch-on). You can use the RRoD as a signal to tell you if the mod has worked, or if you still need to adust things slightly.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

nice thanks jimmy j!

 

[Bloodgod]

Sup I've been thinking of buying XCM XBOX 360 High speed air cooler +1 fan. I was wondering if that would be a good investment in trying not to get my xbox red ring'd

http://www.xcm.cc/xcm_360_high_speed_air_cooler.htm

 

[genjutsu]

please do you know an alternative for the nylon washers? i live in Nigeria and i found it hard to find metal washers, i'm still searching for the screws.