Fried GPU suddenly after a few hours of use.

[srobison025]

In an ill fated attempt to give my old rig a face lift I purchased a used 980 (04G-P4-2983-KR) off of ebay to replace my elderly 680.

I installed the card and my computer posted and booted up just fine. In fact I used my computer for a few hours before my PC crashed. I installed new firmware updates got some work done, formatted an old SSD, and surfed the web for awhile without any issues. Then I decided to open up Steam and started playing Fallout 4. After about 45 minutes of playing my computer shut down. So I started look around inside my computer and see what was going on. I noticed that the 980 card was insanely hot and even burned my finger touching it. After letting it cool down I tried to turn my computer back on to see if maybe the fans weren''t turning on. Unfortunately trying to turn my computer back on was a bad decision as there was a pop and a burning smell coming from my PC. I tried putting the card into different PCI-E slots and using different connectors but still couldn't even get my PC to trun on with the card installed.

I pulled the card and and my PC still boots up and thankfully nothing was lost. I was able to put my 680 back in my case and it''s been working fine and I''m able to play games for long periods of time as well.

Before I start looking into replacing the card. What could have possibly gone wrong with this 980 card that caused it to fry like it did. Is there possibly a imcompatibility issue?

i5-3750k
ASUS P8Z77-V LX Z77
Cooler Master 800W gold rated power supply

Thank you for your time.

 

[norcalsc]

For some reason it overheated to catastrophic failure. were you monitoring temps at all, upto the point where it shut down? May be the reason it was sold to you, all the things you did initially were low load processes as soon as you hit Steam that thing probably started cooking. After the initial shutdown the damage was done and the pop you heard was that the last breath

 

[srobison025]

For some reason it overheated to catastrophic failure. were you monitoring temps at all, upto the point where it shut down? May be the reason it was sold to you, all the things you did initially were low load processes as soon as you hit Steam that thing probably started cooking. After the initial shutdown the damage was done and the pop you heard was that the last breath

I unfortunately wasn't watching the temps... I've never OC'ed anything so it's never been anything I've paid much attention to temps in the past. I should have been watching the temps since the card was second hand.

I was able to get a hold of the seller and he sent me the purchase order for the card and EVGA says it's still under warranty for a few more days. Everything seems to be on the up and up so far. hopefully everything works out and I'll be able to get a replacement and I'll be watching the temps like a hawk.

 

[Wildthorn]

I highly doubt you should watch it like a hawk. You said you got it used from eBay? Maybe that has something to do with it.

I recommend either a better cooling setup, or understand that the 980 is a very intensive, inefficient and demanding GPU, but I don’t see any problems with that. I’m no genius but maybe too much power, or a surge?

 

[srobison025]

I highly doubt you should watch it like a hawk. You said you got it used from eBay? Maybe that has something to do with it.

I recommend either a better cooling setup, or understand that the 980 is a very intensive, inefficient and demanding GPU, but I don’t see any problems with that. I’m no genius but maybe too much power, or a surge?

So I did a stress test on my 680 SC and I after a couple hours the highest it ever got was 81c I have a CM HAF case with a high pressure setup going. When I had the 980 installed the side panel wasn't on so that card should have been able to pull as much air as it wanted.

I'm assuming the fans just didn't turn on for the 980 but so far everything looks good for an RMA the card has been sent to EVGA and I should hear back today or tomorrow if they're going to send me a replacement.

 

[hang-the-9]

Used card, first thing comes to mind that it was bad in the first place before you started using it.

 

[USAFRet]

I purchased a used 980 (04G-P4-2983-KR) off of ebay

I'm thinking broken when sold.

 

[norcalsc]

unfortunately there is no way to know now. I know you didn't know but you should have been watching temps especially with a used card off of eBay. I would contact the seller and let him know the situation, I don't know if a full refund is in order based on your post but.....it's really just a crappy situation, i don't even know what to say

 

[srobison025]

unfortunately there is no way to know now. I know you didn't know but you should have been watching temps especially with a used card off of eBay. I would contact the seller and let him know the situation, I don't know if a full refund is in order based on your post but.....it's really just a crappy situation, i don't even know what to say

The seller did give me the sales invoice and EVGA was kind enough to transfer the warranty. Everything kind of worked out because I have my RMA'd card back from EVGA and installed MSI Afterburner. Watching the temps they peak around 75c.
Thanks for all the input and guidance. It's been five or so years since I've built a PC so I wasn't sure if I was doing something wrong.