Asus HD7950 CU 2 just died - looking for a replacement and additional cooling if needed

[Andres Canelson]

This is what I currently have

**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor]
**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler]
**Motherboard** | [Asus P8Z77-V LK ATX LGA1155 Motherboard]
**Memory** | [Corsair 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory]
**Memory** | [Corsair 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory]
**Power Supply** | [Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply]
**Storage** | [Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive]
**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive]
**Case** | [Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case]
+ monitor + opitcal drive

My graphics card (Asus HD7950 Direct CU 2 3Gb GDDR5) doesn't love me anymore and went on an overheating trip and will never come back so I am looking for a replacement and additional cooling (I have fan at the moment but I would consider water cooling as an option)

If anyone needs any additional info please let me know

Thanks in advance

I think I listed all of the components I have at the moment

 

[marqol]

Considering your build seems like a pretty stock gaming set up, you could literally throw in any GPU you can afford as a 'replacement'. It does however, depend on your budget, brand loyalty, and wants as to suggestions to give you.
(I can give you suggestions anyway, to not seem condescending) - From looking at your current card, I don't believe you'd see much benefits from anything lower than AMD's 380 or NVIDIA's 960. I'd go with an 970 or 390 to at least see some improvement, as your card being a 7950 is still (was still) pretty awesome.

Can you talk more about your 'additional cooling' as i don't quite understand what it is you're wanting. From the looks of things, it should be a pretty cool set-up. Is your CPU overheating also? How many case fans do you have?
By all means upgrade to water cooling. I will say though, it is rather expensive. Even if you're going with the pre-built packs such as the ones from EK or even just an AIO systems from people like nzxt or corsair. Either option will be very effective though.

Not sure how much help this post will be but figured I'd give you some answer.

Good luck,

Marqol

 

[Andres Canelson]

Considering your build seems like a pretty stock gaming set up, you could literally throw in any GPU you can afford as a 'replacement'. It does however, depend on your budget, brand loyalty, and wants as to suggestions to give you.
(I can give you suggestions anyway, to not seem condescending) - From looking at your current card, I don't believe you'd see much benefits from anything lower than AMD's 380 or NVIDIA's 960. I'd go with an 970 or 390 to at least see some improvement, as your card being a 7950 is still (was still) pretty awesome.

Can you talk more about your 'additional cooling' as i don't quite understand what it is you're wanting. From the looks of things, it should be a pretty cool set-up. Is your CPU overheating also? How many case fans do you have?
By all means upgrade to water cooling. I will say though, it is rather expensive. Even if you're going with the pre-built packs such as the ones from EK or even just an AIO systems from people like nzxt or corsair. Either option will be very effective though.

Not sure how much help this post will be but figured I'd give you some answer.

Good luck,

Marqol

Hi, Marqol

I was thinking of a budget or around $350 and I don't follow any brand in particular since I have had the same problem with Nvidia and AMD in regards to graphic cards (overheating). I was looking at MSI GeForce GTX 960 4GB Video Card for $219, but I was not really sur.
The case comes with 2 fans in the front and 1 in the back and I got the Coolmaster for the CPU instead of using the stock that comes with it. The case is open on the top and bottom.
The 7950 that I had was picking up temp really quickly (I start playing Diablo 3 and the fans went crazy and maybe 5 minutes into it went form 50 ° to 100° and the PC just shuts down.
I do have a GPU and CPU monitor but didn't help much (on the GPU part at least)
I haven't had any problems with the CPU temp so far.

 

[coozie7]

If it's still working, even if it overheats, you'll probably be able to salvage the HD7950 with a little work, if the system won't boot, or displays garbage during the BIOS screens then it's dead.

The GTX960 is an almost direct replacement for the HD7950: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-graphics-card-review,review-32899-7.html
Although your budget will allow for either a R9 390 or GTX970 the Nvidia option will almost certainly be cooler and quieter under load than the R9 390. They'll both be a significant upgrade to the HD7950, particularly if you want or would like plenty of eye candy at higher frame rates.

The Carbide 400R is quite well cooled, even out of the box, the three installed fans should be able to handle the heat load of a HD7950 or R9 390 without too much drama but if you want to improve airflow further I'll suggest you get 3 120mm fans and a pair of splitter or 'Y' cables like these: https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=3+pin+fan+header+splitter&view=detailv2&&id=F15360D48F4B4CA247EF427BD88C3FC1BCC707D8&selectedIndex=0&ccid=vQac2WS7&simid=608012669527327527&thid=OIP.Mbd069cd964bbd369ead0993fd00a079co0&ajaxhist=0
Put one new fan in the floor, as intake, replace the existing 120mm rear exhaust fan with one of the new ones and install the third new fan in the top, rear location, as exhaust. Connect both front fans with a 'Y' splitter and the two top/rear fans also with a 'Y' splitter, running each pair off a single 3 pin fan header, the last, single fan on the floor will take up the last 3 pin header on the motherboard. Don't put the top fan in front of the TX3, but behind it, I found my 212 Plus ran hotter with a fan in front and above of it but a little cooler with one above and behind it!

 

[Andres Canelson]

If it's still working, even if it overheats, you'll probably be able to salvage the HD7950 with a little work, if the system won't boot, or displays garbage during the BIOS screens then it's dead.

The GTX960 is an almost direct replacement for the HD7950: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-graphics-card-review,review-32899-7.html
Although your budget will allow for either a R9 390 or GTX970 the Nvidia option will almost certainly be cooler and quieter under load than the R9 390. They'll both be a significant upgrade to the HD7950, particularly if you want or would like plenty of eye candy at higher frame rates.

The Carbide 400R is quite well cooled, even out of the box, the three installed fans should be able to handle the heat load of a HD7950 or R9 390 without too much drama but if you want to improve airflow further I'll suggest you get 3 120mm fans and a pair of splitter or 'Y' cables like these: https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=3+pin+fan+header+splitter&view=detailv2&&id=F15360D48F4B4CA247EF427BD88C3FC1BCC707D8&selectedIndex=0&ccid=vQac2WS7&simid=608012669527327527&thid=OIP.Mbd069cd964bbd369ead0993fd00a079co0&ajaxhist=0
Put one new fan in the floor, as intake, replace the existing 120mm rear exhaust fan with one of the new ones and install the third new fan in the top, rear location, as exhaust. Connect both front fans with a 'Y' splitter and the two top/rear fans also with a 'Y' splitter, running each pair off a single 3 pin fan header, the last, single fan on the floor will take up the last 3 pin header on the motherboard. Don't put the top fan in front of the TX3, but behind it, I found my 212 Plus ran hotter with a fan in front and above of it but a little cooler with one above and behind it!

this is what it looks like when the graphics card is on the pc

http://postimg.org/image/fhqnkeni5/

 

[coozie7]

Ah.
Right.
OK then.

Yep, looks like the video circuitry is toast but it may also be a cable or monitor issue, try connecting your display to the motherboard video outputs and see if the problem goes away (you may need to remove the HD7950 first).

The HD7950 isn't THAT old, check your documentation, maybe it's still under warranty. If you purchased online and have lost the printed invoice, check your e-mails, there's still some chance you'll have the information lurking somewhere in your inbox.

Otherwise you're looking for a replacement card...Sorry, mate. 🙁

 

[Andres Canelson]

Ah.
Right.
OK then.

Yep, looks like the video circuitry is toast but it may also be a cable or monitor issue, try connecting your display to the motherboard video outputs and see if the problem goes away (you may need to remove the HD7950 first).

The HD7950 isn't THAT old, check your documentation, maybe it's still under warranty. If you purchased online and have lost the printed invoice, check your e-mails, there's still some chance you'll have the information lurking somewhere in your inbox.

Otherwise you're looking for a replacement card...Sorry, mate. 🙁

Cable is fine and monitor s fine, I am using the onboard at the moment and both work fine. also tried the cable and another monitor just in case so yes it is the card.

the video card I bought it on may of 2013 so I think warrenty is out the window

I check the price of the gforce nvidia 970 and is $318 but they have it at bestbuy for $329 so insted of waiting for $9 I might just go and pick it up

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/nvidia-geforce-gtx-970-4gb-gddr5-pci-express-3-0-graphics-card-silver-black/9855169.p?id=1219441201895&skuId=9855169

 

[coozie7]

AFAIK, Asus have a 3 year warranty and pretty good customer service, I advise you at least E-mail them-nothing ventured, nothing gained.

In the meantime, yep, that GTX970 is going to go very nicely with your current setup.

 

[Andres Canelson]

AFAIK, Asus have a 3 year warranty and pretty good customer service, I advise you at least E-mail them-nothing ventured, nothing gained.

In the meantime, yep, that GTX970 is going to go very nicely with your current setup.

Warranty is still good !!!
I was so sure it was 2 and not 3 years that I didn't even check, I am sending it back right now with a picture of what was happening...Thank you very mucho to you and everyone fr your help. 😀

 

[coozie7]

As Monty Burns would say: Excellent! 😉
Hope the RMA goes smoothly.

 

[Andres Canelson]

As Monty Burns would say: Excellent! 😉
Hope the RMA goes smoothly.

Will post the results as soon as I have any news