Used Graphics Card Sags Badly

[Jonsonlinename]

Hi,

 

I have a problem I would like advice on.

 

I'm looking for some advice on a graphics card I just bought from ebay. I'm posting in planning, because I am rebuilding a PC using my old crosshair IV and phenom II 1055t rig, to sell it for almost no gain. Really just because I'd like to give the hardware new life instead of letting it go unused, and give someone a good deal on a fairly powerful gaming PC. 

 

Ok so the dilemma is, I bought a used Asus strix gtx 970, that SAGS more than anything I've ever experienced. I actually have to prop the card up in its slot with a chopstick to get video signal. See the attatched picture. The backplate is actually warped. Upon testing the card, I see that temps reach 93°C. This is unacceptable to sell to someone who is inexperienced with computer hardware.

 

I want to return the card to the seller on Ebay and get my money back, but is this worth trying, I may just reapply thermal paste and mount the card vertically in its new case to try solving the sag and temps.

 

What would you do?

[Jurrunio]

I would take the card apart first, see how bad it's bending without force.

[suchamoneypit]

If the card sags to bad your lose video output, thats not good at all and the card will likely fail in the future because of this physical damage. Unless you got the card for a great deal, maybe look at returning it. If the sag is obvious in the sellers pictures though, that's what you purchased. But if the card doesn't work just slotted in, and it requires you to modify the install to make it work, then maybe you are still eligible for return if the seller never disclosed this. All cards with big coolers do tend to sag though. 

[Jonsonlinename]

I had the same thoughts as you. There were no pictures of the card installed. Call me naive, because I didn't know the card could be so warped. I will ask the seller if they would willingly accept a return due to the way this card sits in slots. I feel like it's not in good working condition. It just works when you fiddle with it.

 

Here's a link to the item on Ebay [Updated for clarity]:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ASUS-STRIX-GTX970-4GB-Graphics-Card-/273701081562?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l10137.c10&nordt=true&rt=nc

Edited February 27, 2019 by Jonsonlinename
The old link wasn't as good

[Cyracus]

as long as the pcb isn't warped it shouldn't be a problem, if the pcb is warped there's a chance that attempting to fix it could brick the card. Hard to give advice without being able to check it out in person, but I'd keep it if the pcb isn't warped, refund if it is.

2 minutes ago, Jonsonlinename said:

Here's a link to the item on ebay

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F273701081562

why are the pictures and description for a rx 570 box if it's a gtx 970? 

[Jonsonlinename]

The pictures show a 970 box. Maybe you see an advertisement for something similar below the card I bought.

 

I want to message this to the seller, because the PCB is slightly warped:

 

"Hi, I'm afraid this card has sagged and warped to the point it no longer fits nicely in a PCI slot.

 

When I tested it today, I found that the backplate was twisted down to the heavy end of the cooling block.

 

The sagging was bad enough that the card, when normally mounted in its brackets, was not enough to properly seat it for a video signal. However, lifting the back of the card does allow it to work.

 

But, it runs at 90°C with the card's fans at full speed, in a room at 17°C, probably because the contact of the chip with the cooling block has somewhat come apart. This causes abnormal thermal throttling.

 

I would re apply thermal compound, except I would only do that if the card wasn't twisted and seating improperly.

 

Because I wanted to use this card in a PC that I will resell, I'm looking for something that isn't already damaged. Overheating and twisted PCB problems lead me to ask if you would accept a return. I accept responsibility for not assuming this card would have sagging damage, so I will pay for the return shipping if I may have a refund."

 

 

Improvements for my approach? And thanks for taking interest in this problem here.

[Jonsonlinename]

Here's an image of the sag in question. My evga 2070 evga xc ultra is a 3 slot card and doesnt sag at all. But this card does have a flimsy backplate.

[xnamkcor]

1 hour ago, Jonsonlinename said:

Here's an image of the sag in question. My evga 2070 evga xc ultra is a 3 slot card and doesnt sag at all. But this card does have a flimsy backplate.

 

I don't see a screw or a bolt on the bracket.

[Jonsonlinename]

Here's why. It's a latch on the outside. I dont believe that's the problem, but I'll try another case with a different bracket style tomorrow.

 

Also, the seller messaged me back. He's pretty great, and seems honest. He's interested in making sure I'm happy. And we'll probably work something out. I just wonder about the life of the card.

 

I may remove the block later today to check the pcb, and reapply thermal paste. Doing benchmarks for temp before and after. I dont feel like the card will brick in the meantime.

[elon]

holy, that sag is so terrible as its only sporting two fans and its 2 slot card, I thought my r9 290 vapor x is already worse.

[xnamkcor]

24 minutes ago, Jonsonlinename said:

Here's why. It's a latch on the outside. I dont believe that's the problem, but I'll try another case with a different bracket style tomorrow.

 

Also, the seller messaged me back. He's pretty great, and seems honest. He's interested in making sure I'm happy. And we'll probably work something out. I just wonder about the life of the card.

 

I may remove the block later today to check the pcb, and reapply thermal paste. Doing benchmarks for temp before and after. I dont feel like the card will brick in the meantime.

 

 

I would say, next time buy a case with a real screw mount for the bracket. That, or use fishing line to suspend the card.

[Jonsonlinename]

1 hour ago, xnamkcor said:

I would say, next time buy a case with a real screw mount for the bracket. That, or use fishing line to suspend the card.

I'll post a picture when the nzxt h500i shows up tomorrow. Hopefully its mounting will solve the problem. I guess anyone paying $400 for a computer wouldn't mind fishing line holding up their gfx card. Just as long as it gets to play games.

[Jonsonlinename]

I took the heatsinks off. Thermal paste was in bad shape and the screws were not snug. Cleaned it up

[Jonsonlinename]

Now I'm getting perfectly normal temps on default card settings without thermal throttling.

[Jonsonlinename]

It does have some bend to the bracket. That's causing the sag. It shouldn't be noticable in a vertical mount though.

 

Btw the seller has been awesome. He offered a full refund if I couldn't get the card in shape and we got along with this pretty well. He was interested in making sure I was happy the whole time.