XFX RX 7900 XT/XTX Speedster Merc 310 Deshroud Guide
Deshrouding the XFX MERC 310 7900 XT/XTX is a relatively straightforward process. Take your time, and if you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out!
You will need a precision screwdriver (PH0 or PH00) with a thin neck, ideally magnetic-tipped. Avoid screwdrivers with bulky interchangeable tips, as they may not fit in the tight spaces around the fan blades. Using a high-quality screwdriver with the correct tip will help prevent stripping the screws.
Quick Overview of Steps:
- Remove the stock fan shroud.
- Secure the brackets using the existing M2 screws.
- Place the fans on the brackets (do not screw them down yet).
- Remove rubber grommets from the fan's center area.
- Install the cosmetic covers.
- Secure the fans with the included M4 screws.
- Connect the fan cables.
Step 1 - Remove the Stock Shroud
Start by removing the 6 screws marked in the image below. Be mindful that the fan cable is connected at the bottom right of the card. Lift the shroud gently away from the heatsink and disconnect the fan header.
After removing the shroud and fans, locate and unscrew the 4 screws (circled in green) that secure the metal support bracket. Remove this bracket completely before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2 - Secure the Brackets
Once the stock shroud is removed, use the existing M2, 3mm screws from the GPU to secure the brackets to the heatsink. Each bracket is labeled for easy placement (L = Left, C = Center, R = Right).
Step 3 - Place the Fans & Remove Grommets
Position the fans on top of the brackets, but do not screw them down yet. If your fans have rubber grommets, remove them from the center area (top of the fan only) to allow the cosmetic cover to sit flush.
Step 4 - Connect the Fan Cables
If you purchased the fan header cable, connect the two outer 120mm fans to the Y adapter cable. Some cable management will be required depending on the length of your fan cables. You may need to rotate the fans to make the cables more manageable.
As of January 2025, the included Y adapter only supports two fans, meaning the third fan (center fan) will need to be connected directly to the motherboard or an external fan controller. I am currently working on a 3-way splitter, which should be available in the future.
Note: You may notice that one of the pins in the male header of the Y adapter cable is "missing." This is by design. The missing pin ensures that only one fan reports its RPM signal to prevent conflicts when multiple fans are connected to the same header.
Step 5 - Install the Cosmetic Covers & Secure the Fans
With the fans in place, position the cosmetic covers on both the top and bottom. Once everything is aligned, secure the fans using the included M4 screws.
Step 6 - Software Settings for Fan Control (AMD Adrenalin Software)
If you are using AMD Adrenalin Software, you can customize the fan curve to optimize both performance and noise levels.
Open Adrenalin Software and navigate to Performance > Tuning. Select Manual and set a custom fan curve. Keep in mind that the percentage values shown in Adrenalin are based on the maximum RPM of the stock GPU fans, which is typically around 3000 RPM.
For example, setting the fan speed to 50% in Adrenalin does not mean 50% of your new aftermarket fans' max RPM, it means 50% of the original stock fans' max speed. If the stock fans max out at 3000 RPM, then 50% = 1500 RPM, even if your replacement fans have a lower or higher max speed (e.g., Noctua NF-A12x25 fans max out at 2000 RPM).
Note: If your aftermarket fans also have a maximum RPM of 3000, you can generally use the stock fan curve settings without issue, as the RPM scaling will match up. However, if your fans have a lower max RPM, you may need to adjust the curve to ensure adequate cooling.
Please feel free to message me if you have any issues with the install. There can occasionally be differences in mounting holes among different revisions of the same GPU model. If this is the case, please reach out to me and I will help you right away.