Graphics card spark, safe to get a new card?

[archieike]

Hi all,

I've had my computer for around 3 years, the other day the power went and a spark came off my graphics card. Ive been a bit poor with keeping the dust off it so I assume that had something to do with it (learnt my lessson there!).

I replaced the (apparently dead) card with a stop-gap and was relived to find that the rest of my computer is absolutly fine. (Appart from not being able to run any games of course!)

However the new card doesn't require supplimentry power from the PCI-e leads (the old card used a 6-pin and an 8-pin) and before I go and spend money on a new card I was wondering if there is any risk of my PSU frying a new card through dodgy PCI-e power leads? Is this possible if computer is running fine without the PCI-e power leads plugged in? Should I get a PSU tester? Everything I've read so far suggests the PSU is a pretty sold one so I'm hoping i'll only need to replace the GPU.

I'm pretty sure the old card is at fault but I wanted to check with people with more know-how if there was any risk.

Specs:
CPU: FX-6300
MOBO: ASUS M5A97 R2.0
Graphics Card (broken) XFX 7870 XT
PSU: XFX PRO Series 550W
RAM: Patriot Viper 3 8GB
HHD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB
SSD: SanDisk 250GB

No overclocking on anything.

Thanks for your time!

 

[clutchc]

I guess it depends on where you noticed the spark. If it was at the PCIe 6/8 pin connectors or within the card. If the latter, the PSU should be OK. XFX are great PSUs. Made by Seasonic and have good circuit protection.

 

[archieike]

It was definitely on the card on the opposite side of the card to the pcie connectors.

Thank you very much, exactly what I was hoping to hear!