Fixing Your 360's RROD Using the Effective X Clamp Mod
Luckily a few fixes have been discovered since then. One of them, also one of the reliable fixes, is the X-clamp modification (x clamp mod). The x clamp mod involves replacing the x-clamps holding the heat sinks together with a set of nylon and metal washers and screws. Doing so allows even pressure distribution amongst the CPU and GPU cores and as a result reduces the chances of the Ring of Death from occurring again. This makes the x clamp mod a long term, reliable and relatively easy repair to perform.However if the x clamp mod is performed without proper care, it could lead to disastrous consequences, especially involving damaging the motherboard. For instance if the metal washer is placed before the nylon washer, i.e. if the metal washer is touching the motherboard, then it could short circuit the motherboard and hence causing serious damage to the motherboard. Another problem that may occur is if the screws are tightened too much that it causes the board to crack and thereby causing permanent damage.
However the success rate of the x clamp mod isnò€™t very high and may not always be the solution to the RROD issue. Sometimes replacing the existing thermal paste with a different product may help resolve this issue, unless the RROD is related to a faulty GPU or loose solder joints.