Probably possibly dead

[Ham]

Well its seems my 2 week old 7800GT is toast. I was fitting the arctic cooler I got from XMS, fitted it in my rig fired it up and fwwwooosh. A flash and a flame and a 6 legged chip went up in smoke and a little flame.

I’ve no idea why or how, as I had forgotten to plug in the pci-e power connector anyway. The card is still working but it artefacts in games after a minuet or two of play.

I’m thinking the chip (I think its a IC set to mimic a resistor tbh, but these things are so dam small it could be anything) is related to the fan voltage control. Yet I can't see how that would cause the game to artefact as the NV5s fan is running off the 12v rail on a homemade connector my dad knocked up.

Anyone know how to identify these chips? If I can repair it in someway I will and I’ve got all the skill necessary. Otherwise I don't know what I’m going to do...

 

[FarFarAway]

Did you use AS5 on the core or Arctic ceramique?

And did you use arctic ceramique on the memory chips?

AS5 is not a great idea to use unless your real careful....you didn't blow the resistors did you?

 

[NickS]

Ceramique ftw.

Maybe a piece of metal from the Arctic Cooler was touching the card somewhere!

Nick

 

[Ham]

Well the IC is labled Q502 on the PCB and 457R on the chip itself. Anyone know where i can find info on this?

 

[JN]

Are you able to take a high res pic of the thing that blew? Depending on what it is, you might be able to salvage one from a cheaper nivida card, or maybe find a busted card on ebay.

 

[Ham]

OK heres the best picture i could get. Ive checked both my spear cards and no chip of the same number. Althogh there is a simmilar one on my old 8500 that llwyd melted.

Would it be a good idea to remove the chip entierly? If it is the fan controler like i think and current is flowig through it to other areas causing an overvolt and, hence the artifacts, it would be a good idea to remove it right?

But then it might be somthing else...

 

[JN]

If i was you mate, i'd try and RMA the card BEFORE you attempt any DIY on it.

Just make out that you was using it within manufacturers specs (not overclocked, no aftermarket cooler) - and you should be able to get it replaced.

If you don't have any luck with an RMA, i've seen a website that repairs CPU/GPU's for a reasonable price.

But leave the DIY until you dont have any options left, as using a normal soldering iron on these kind of circuits can cause more problems.

 

[Ham]

It was an ebay job. hence why i got it so cheap. Its been rapaied before, looks like a capacitor fell off. But that fix hasn't casued this. Can you point me to a reliable site that repair them?

 

[JN]

It was an ebay job. hence why i got it so cheap. Its been rapaied before, looks like a capacitor fell off. But that fix hasn't casued this. Can you point me to a reliable site that repair them?

What make is the card m8, if its a BFG/XFX you might be able to return it to the manufacturer.

I'll see if i can find that repair site for ya, took me ages to find it first time round, and i forgot to backup my bookmarks before recent format

 

[Ham]

lol. Its a leadtek. I did a google earlyer and couldn't find anything on the repairing the cards.

 

[Ham]

Anyone think a 7600GT would be a comparable replacement? its around £150 too.

 

[Dav0s]

you should be able to rma with leadtek as long as the serial number is on the card/box somewhr

 

[Ham]

As i said before dave its been fixed before i got it for a different fault. So leadtek would probably laugh and send me and abusive letter/email back.

I need to find out what the dam chip is really. If its not important i can just take it off. If it is important ill get it repaird/do it myself.

 

[FarFarAway]

Its still woth a go mate. Bog companies are used to RMAing stuff

 

[llwyd]

Althogh there is a simmilar one on my old 8500 that llwyd melted.

that card melted itself

 

[Tec]

Isnt x1800XT better then 7600GT ? if so 256 mb version is on sale for £199.69inc vat.

 

[WC Annihilus]

The x1800xt is definately better, as there is much debate of between it and the 7900gt, and for the most part, general consensus is that the x1800xt is better.