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How to Replace X-Clamps on a 360

Microsoft's Xbox 360 is the company's second foray into the video game console market, establishing it as a major player in the industry. However, a common concern is its design, which frequently leads to the system overheating and malfunctioning. The X-clamps used to hold heat sinks to the motherboard and GPU chips don't put equal pressure on both chips and cause heat to build under them, causing the two chips to lose their connection as the motherboard flexes from the heat. While Xbox warranties have been increased to three years, it may be easier to fix the problem yourself.

Things You'll Need

XCM opening tool
Allen key
Flat wedge or flathead screwdriver
Paper towel
Pliers
Screw set
Thermal compound

Instructions

- 1
  Pull the faceplate off the front of your console. Push the XCM tool into the square openings on the gray heat grill at the top of the console and turn them right to remove the heat grills. Unclasp the buckles on the face of the machine and pop off the top half of the case. Remove the metal cover by unscrewing the six screws with an Allen key.
- 2
  Remove the power button component by unscrewing its three screws and pulling up gently. Flip the console and remove the metal sheet protector by unscrewing its eight screw. Take the fan and airflow director (a piece of plastic, with the same color theme of the Xbox 360) out of the console.
- 3
  Pull up the front end of the main board to reveal the X-clamps on the bottom. Pry them off of the chips gently by using a flat object as a wedge. Clean the thermal compound off with a paper towel and remove the millimeter-thick pins underneath with pliers. Add more thermal compound (the original formula is ineffective) and screw new X-clamps in using the newly revealed holes. Tighten the screws slowly until the chips don't budge.

Xbox 360