So is using a GPU 24/7 really going to be that bad for it?
I ask as I game on my PC. That's it primary purpose. When I'm not gaming the machine is Folding@Home so it's running at full tilt 98% of the time.
Am I damaging the card as a result?
They are not designed to be ran 100% 24/7, no. Nothing is, apart from server gear. Why do you think most Xeons are capped to something lame like 2.2ghz? because it's the only way Intel can guarantee their longevity.
That is why I never used to fold. You are caning your leccy, smashing the balls out of your card and for what? science. Then when they find a cure for cancer they will market and sell it.
They will sell used, but tbh they are worth far less. Like I said before I have seen cards literally turn from nice clean silver solder contacts to pure white, where the flux was breaking down from all of the heat and current being pulled through the card.
Some people need to remember we went through all of this before. It wasn't anywhere near as long lasting as this, but, loads of people bought 290/x for mining on. When they came up for sale they were shagged, whining like a baby with no dummy and sold for about 1/3 of what a non mining card would.
It crashed before and it will crash again. Money is not limitless.
The first thing to go is the fan bearings. So you'd have to replace those
Very common. However, name one place you can buy them from? you can't, basically. So all you can do is bodge it.
EVGA's change in warranty policy very recently says it all as far as this topic tbh.
