Question Is it worth trying to repair a MSI 1660 TI with garbage display?

[AccDossDude]

Someone is selling it for around 34 USD and they said the GPU had started producing garbage artifacts after having it for 2 years. Could reflowing it with a heatgun fix it or are there other possible issue?

 

[punkncat]

It is almost never a good idea to pick up graphics cards with known artifact issues. Here in the states those seem to be selling ~$120 on eBay "sold" search in a quick look. Pretty significant difference there so on this if you were willing to throw "$40" at it in the hope that a good clean, repaste, correct driver install would resolve the problem it might pay off. Or, you could have a decoration.

 

[AccDossDude]

It is almost never a good idea to pick up graphics cards with known artifact issues.

Why so, If I could know.

 

[CountMike]

Why so, If I could know.

Because in 99% cases it's due to faulty VRAM which means replacement of all chips and possibly controller. Ends up being more expensive (VRAM has no sockets so it needs re-balling) than card is worth. If it was some expensive GPU maybe.

 

[thestryker]

If the memory controller is the problem (which can happen because it's rarely protected from electrical fault) the GPU itself is toast thus making the purchase entirely pointless if one wants to use it.