Sapphire R9-280X Coil Whine and Display Issues

[runit3]

I'm working on completing a retro-Z77 build for a friend and just got in the R9-280X I got off Ebay. When I first plugged this thing in I noticed what could only be described as a herd of crickets being electrocuted and then spun through a blender...the coil whine is absolutely obscene.

 

Aside from that somewhat minor quibble, as most of the sound will be covered up once I have the side panels on I'm getting a ton of graphical errors running 3D Mark, which eventually turns into total lock-up, having to terminate the program from task manager.

 

I'm on Catalyst 14.501.1003 and am about to start some gaming testing.

 

My main question is, should I try to send this thing back? or is there any hope of it being functional after ~1 yr of being at stock clocks? I'm assuming this thing had to be a mining card, and it OC's like absolute trash (only able to get ~1155 on the core w/out it crashing). This is my third 280X and it's the only one that wasn't a Windforce, which I am now instantly regretting.

[the jolly roger]

well you always take a risk getting used stuff off ebay, probably the owner was selling it because of the whine

[thekeemo]

you can def contact ebay and there is a decent chance of a refund

[runit3]

This is what I'm getting, constantly. V-Sync on or off, AA on or off, OC or no OC....it's no bueno.

 

If anyone has any ideas I'm up for just about anything besides sending this damn card back.

[runit3]

Well I've managed to fix the graphical errors for the time being by wiping and reinstalling Catalyst...thing still sounds like an electrical storm. Contacted the seller on Ebay, so I'll guess I'll see what he has to say before making a decision about keeping it or not.