help SLI GPU fan collided with pcb backside

[frokes]

Hi!

I just installed my first 2 card SLI but when the fans started moving faster I heard plastic breaking... Upon inspection I've found 2 blades broken off one of the two fans on the top GPU. I think the collision only occurred because the fans are sucking air into the card, therefore the fan moves a bit out when running at higher rpm.

What should I do? How can I prevent this from happening again? Would a back plate on the lower GPU help?

Both cards are post warranty so no luck there.

 

This is my first time posting here so please tell me if I did something wrong...

Regards

frokes

[MedievalMatt]

3 minutes ago, frokes said:

Hi!

I just installed my first 2 card SLI but when the fans started moving faster I heard plastic breaking... Upon inspection I've found 2 blades broken off one of the two fans on the top GPU. I think the collision only occurred because the fans are sucking air into the card, therefore the fan moves a bit out when running at higher rpm.

What should I do? How can I prevent this from happening again? Would a back plate on the lower GPU help?

Both cards are post warranty so no luck there.

 

This is my first time posting here so please tell me if I did something wrong...

Regards

frokes

the first GPU is probably sagging down.  You can prop it up maybe.  or space the cards out using another set of slots.

 

or the old school prop them apart with a bit of wood

[Tristerin]

5 minutes ago, frokes said:

Hi!

I just installed my first 2 card SLI but when the fans started moving faster I heard plastic breaking... Upon inspection I've found 2 blades broken off one of the two fans on the top GPU. I think the collision only occurred because the fans are sucking air into the card, therefore the fan moves a bit out when running at higher rpm.

What should I do? How can I prevent this from happening again? Would a back plate on the lower GPU help?

Both cards are post warranty so no luck there.

 

This is my first time posting here so please tell me if I did something wrong...

Regards

frokes

 

1 minute ago, MedievalMatt said:

the first GPU is probably sagging down.  You can prop it up maybe.  or space the cards out using another set of slots.

 

or the old school prop them apart with a bit of wood

Like Matt said, fashion small spacers to put at the corners of the cards so they do not come in contact, you have GPU sag most likely.  Replace the fan and game on.

Sucks it happened, but GPU sag is real and spacers are a thing You can buy some if you really want to (rubber spacers for way to much money)

[frokes]

Ahhh I see! So wood would work? Might be able to lasercut something half decent...

[frokes]

Also, is gluing fan blades a thing or is buying a new fan the only right way to go?

[TechyBen]

Just now, frokes said:

Also, is gluing fan blades a thing or is buying a new fan the only right way to go?

Never glue. It will wobble and could cause damage.

[Tristerin]

4 minutes ago, frokes said:

Ahhh I see! So wood would work? Might be able to lasercut something half decent...

 

2 minutes ago, TechyBen said:

Never glue. It will wobble and could cause damage.

Wood would work just fine.  A popsicle stick, or two glued together etc

 

Never glue, these are produced fairly balanced and you would cause bearing issues and whatnot on the fan motor housing until they broke again anyway.

[frokes]

1 minute ago, Tristerin said:

 

Wood would work just fine.  A popsicle stick, or two glued together etc

 

Never glue, these are produced fairly balanced and you would cause bearing issues and whatnot on the fan motor housing until they broke again anyway.

Got it! No glue, buy new fan, make spacers!

Thank you all for the quick responses!

[SolarNova]

@frokes

Another trick to holding up a sagging card is to use nylon fishing line. Just loop it around the 6 or 8 pin power connector and string it up to the top fo the case. For the most part you wont see it.

 

Also

 

[frokes]

Just now, SolarNova said:

@frokes

Another trick to holding up a sagging card is to use nylon fishing line. Just loop it around the 6 or 8 pin power connector and string it up to the top fo the case. For the most part you wont see it.

ahhh that sounds pretty clever but i do not have any transparent sides on my case so it does not matter that much. Though I'll keep it in mind

[Tristerin]

4 minutes ago, SolarNova said:

@frokes

Another trick to holding up a sagging card is to use nylon fishing line. Just loop it around the 6 or 8 pin power connector and string it up to the top fo the case. For the most part you wont see it

 

Havent heard of that before, great idea!  My PC is all enclosed and I fortunately don't have GPU sag but given circumstances that's a great fix.

[SolarNova]

You can also just use the 6/8 pin power leads themselves. Just route them through hole/grommets near the top of the case and plug them in from above, pull them tight (not overly so) and they will pull up that corner reducing or stoping droop completly.