Removing a GTX 550 Ti Shroud

How do I remove the shroud of my EVGA GTX 550 Ti? I don't have amy compressed air. Please don't suggest that.

Thanks y'all

You need to remove the whole heatsink assembly, now I'm not 100% certain how it is attached to the heatsink (been a while since I had that card), it either screws or it's clipped in.

The only screws I see are the three on the back... Will I have to reapply thermal paste?

Yes unscrew those, that will take it off BUT BE VERY CAREFULL. The compound already on has been baked on really well and you could damage the chip taking the heatsink off. Use twisting motion instead of pulling to take it off. And yes you must reapply the paste.

I may be several years late in replying to this, but anyway...

You don't need to remove anything other than 3 screws just behind the fan blades.

Whip them out and the fan will come out nice and easily, should be a doddle to clean it up then... Careful when reassembling, I managed to do it without a magnetic screw driver, but it's always advisable to have one...

It's a shame EVGA didn't make screw access easier for such an essential task...

Anyway gl, should be fine...