This mod works on the Gigabyte G1 Gaming GeForce GTX 970 and 980 and will most likely work for the new 960. Have not got to look at the new extra leds on the 960 yet though so cant guarantee anything, but would assume its similar.<br><br><a class="spoiler-link H-spoiler-toggle" href="#"><strong>ORIGINAL POST AND PICTURES</strong> <span class="spoiler-help">(Click to show)</span></a><div class="spoiler-hidden">Like many others the gigabyte gtx 970 seemed to be the best offering of the 970 line to me, the only problem was the blue led. I have found several topics with the same question about changing the led and some said it's not possible, I wasn't going to let that stop me though.<br><br>

I figured it would be like Nvidia stock coolers where you might have to sand off the acrylic color coat. Nope. All clear. But I found it's possible to take out the windforce plate without removing the heatsink or anything. There are two VERY small screws to remove from the shroud and you can simply slide the led logo plate out.<br><br><img alt="dqanP1al.jpg" class="bbcode_img" src="http://i.imgur.com/dqanP1al.jpg"><br><img alt="c0UWuNcl.jpg" class="bbcode_img" src="http://i.imgur.com/c0UWuNcl.jpg"><br><br>

It comes off with a little 2 pin connector from the pcb. I decided to tinker and carefully using an xacto you can peel up the adhesive back. This reveals 2 smd edge emitting leds and 2 resistors. They are also definitely blue leds.<br><br><img alt="UjYn3rdl.jpg" class="bbcode_img" src="http://i.imgur.com/UjYn3rdl.jpg"><br><img alt="l06h7ejl.jpg" class="bbcode_img" src="http://i.imgur.com/l06h7ejl.jpg"><br><img alt="rHrWpF9l.jpg" class="bbcode_img" src="http://i.imgur.com/rHrWpF9l.jpg"><br><img alt="qfARWDMl.jpg" class="bbcode_img" src="http://i.imgur.com/qfARWDMl.jpg"><br><img alt="Pb3Uwykl.jpg" class="bbcode_img" src="http://i.imgur.com/Pb3Uwykl.jpg"><br><br>

This is with the strip vertical so you can tell the bottom led is facing towards camera and the top is emitting downwards<br><img alt="5K66TUxl.jpg" class="bbcode_img" src="http://i.imgur.com/5K66TUxl.jpg"><br><br>

So we know now it's definitely possible and extremely easy, just need to find the right leds to replace them with. I have been searching for side emitting leds and can't find them individually so I was thinking about using a normal smd led and mounting it on it's side. Just need to figure out the size. Will post back with updates but if anyone has any input or can help me figure out the correct led to use it would be appreciated.<br><br>

Like I said I know this isn't a big breakthrough but I've seen it posted about and thought I'd let everyone know it's possible. Now if we can get a second windforce plate it would be easy to swap it back to stock to return for warranty if needed.</div>

<a class="spoiler-link H-spoiler-toggle" href="#"><strong>White LED Swap</strong> <span class="spoiler-help">(Click to show)</span></a><div class="spoiler-hidden"><a data-huddler-embed="href" href="/u/321288/KanYarK">@KanYarK</a><br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2250303/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="2250303" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2250303/width/350/height/700/flags/LL" style="; width: 350px; height: 197px"></a><br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2250304/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="2250304" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2250304/width/350/height/700/flags/LL" style="; width: 350px; height: 197px"></a></div>

<a class="spoiler-link H-spoiler-toggle" href="#"><strong>Red LED Swap</strong> <span class="spoiler-help">(Click to show)</span></a><div class="spoiler-hidden"><a data-huddler-embed="href" href="/u/430186/Teleck">@Teleck</a><br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2266071/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="2266071" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2266071/width/500/height/1000/flags/LL" style="; width: 500px; height: 375px"></a><br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2266090/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="2266090" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2266090/width/500/height/1000/flags/LL" style="; width: 500px; height: 375px"></a><br><br><a data-huddler-embed="href" href="/u/311309/JP7even">@JP7even</a><br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2306256/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="2306256" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2306256/width/500/height/1000/flags/LL" style="; width: 500px; height: 442px"></a></div>

<a class="spoiler-link H-spoiler-toggle" href="#"><strong>Green LED Swap</strong> <span class="spoiler-help">(Click to show)</span></a><div class="spoiler-hidden"><a data-huddler-embed="href" href="/u/439669/Janto">@Janto</a><br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2295461/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="2295461" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2295461/width/350/height/700/flags/LL" style="; width: 350px; height: 263px"></a></div>

<br><hr class="bbcode_rule"><br><br>

Thanks to <a data-huddler-embed="href" href="/u/429828/theSarcoplasmic">@theSarcoplasmic</a> for explaining it better than I did!<br><br><br>

Places to buy LEDS<br><br>

So far, there are:<br><ul class="bbcode_list"><li><a class="bbcode_url" href="http://www.ebay.fr/itm/140908155354?var=440098574621&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649" target="_blank">Ebay (France)</a></li>

<li><a class="bbcode_url" href="http://www.ledlightsworld.com/10pcs-smd335-pure-white-55006500k-1000mcd-110deg-p-383.html" target="_blank">LEDWorld (China)</a></li>

<li><a data-huddler-embed="href" href="/u/439023/vladthegreat">@vladthegreat</a> was in the process of making custom PCBs, PM him for information since I am not really monitoring this thread or any development anymore</li>

</ul><br><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><b>If you have any information or other places to buy the correct LEDS from please PM me.<br></b></span><br><br>

Written Instructions below. Sorry for lack of pictures on important parts.<br><br><br>

Turn off power source, wait 15 seconds for power to die, unplug LED from GPU (near the W on WINDFORCE logo)<br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2299548/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="2299548" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2299548/width/500/height/1000/flags/LL" style="; width: 500px; height: 375px"></a><br><br>

Remove the screws (2) on the logo. They're small.<br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2299556/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="2299556" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2299556/width/500/height/1000/flags/LL" style="; width: 500px; height: 375px"></a><br><br>

Slide it out using tweezers.<br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2299546/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="2299546" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2299546/width/500/height/1000/flags/LL" style="; width: 500px; height: 375px"></a><br><br>

The WINDFORCE logo comes out of its mount easily<br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2299545/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="2299545" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2299545/width/500/height/1000/flags/LL" style="; width: 500px; height: 667px"></a><br><br>

Use an exacto knife to pry away the back of the popped out logo. The back is stuck on with a layer of adhesive, just peel it out.<br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2299554/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="2299554" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2299554/width/500/height/1000/flags/LL" style="; width: 500px; height: 667px"></a><br><br>

Here's how the strips look, and the LEDs that will be replacing them.<br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2299547/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="2299547" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2299547/width/500/height/1000/flags/LL" style="; width: 500px; height: 375px"></a><br><br>

No pictures on this part, but soldering is broken down into two steps: removing the LED and replacing the LED (duh). The following instructions only state how to remove ONE LED. Repeat instructions for the other side.<br><br>

To remove the LED:<br><ol class="bbcode_list"><li>Ensure that the strip is immobile (put something heavy in the middle of the plastic LED mount strip).</li>

<li>Heat up your soldering iron.</li>

<li>Using sand paper, sand away the oxidization on the copper tip of the iron. This will help it pass heat easier.</li>

<li>Using a pair of tweezers, lift up the original LEDs so that there is "pressure" for them to be lifted away from the plastic strip.</li>

<li>Very very gently, touch the soldering tip to one side of the electrode. Be careful not to touch the electrode itself, as this will ruin your LED. The solder should melt and the LED should lift away from the plastic strip.</li>

<li>Switch electrodes and repeat. Congrats, you just removed 1 LED. Before you repeat with the other, place on new LED to ensure it works.</li>

</ol><br><br>

To replace the LED:<br><ol class="bbcode_list"><li>Ensure again that your strip is immobile.</li>

<li>You removed a bit of solder when you removed the previous LED, now it's time to replenish some of it: place the solder wire at the clumps of solder remaining on the plastic strip and touch lightly with your solder iron. Repeat until satisfactory. Now repeat for the other clump of solder.</li>

<li>Using a pair of tweezers, position the new LED light over the original position of the LED. You don't need to worry about testing for polarity, because SMD electrodes have a "bottom" side that will rest more stable than the "top" side. Due to this, simply just position the LED facing the middle of the plastic strip (see picture above for reference).</li>

<li>After aligning the electrodes of the LED to the solder, tap gently at the solder/electrode contact. The solder should melt around the electrode.</li>

<li>Repeat for other electrode.</li>

<li>Plug into your GPU, replug your system, and test!<br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2299555/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="2299555" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/2299555/width/500/height/1000/flags/LL" style="; width: 500px; height: 667px"></a></li>

</ol><br>

Now repeat for the other electrode!<br><br>

_______________________________________________________<br><br>

If this thread has helped you leaving rep is always appreciated!!!