New GTX 980 Ti ACX 2.0 Rattling

[TrueGaming11]

Hello folks, I just bought a new 980 Ti ACX 2.0 and everything is perfect (temps, performance, etc..) no issues whatsoever except for the weird rattling noise coming from the rear end of the card (where the slots are). After reading about this common issue I found out it's the fins that are making this noise (only when the fans are moving at 50-60%). What made me 100% sure of this is when I press slightly on the fins near the GPU's slots the noise disappears and the fins are quite loose in this spot compared to the others. The noise increases when the fans do, increasing the fins movement and generating even more noise. Honestly, the noise isn't bothering me very much but I was wondering, is it serious?

My build:
i7-4770k + Hyper 212 EVO
AsRock Z87 Extreme4 (MOBO)
Corsair RM750 (PSU)

 

[Brandon-]

Hello folks, I just bought a new 980 Ti ACX 2.0 and everything is perfect (temps, performance, etc..) no issues whatsoever except for the weird rattling noise coming from the rear end of the card (where the slots are). After reading about this common issue I found out it's the fins that are making this noise (only when the fans are moving at 50-60%). What made me 100% sure of this is when I press slightly on the fins near the GPU's slots the noise disappears and the fins are quite loose in this spot compared to the others. The noise increases when the fans do, increasing the fins movement and generating even more noise. Honestly, the noise isn't bothering me very much but I was wondering, is it serious?

My build:
i7-4770k + Hyper 212 EVO
AsRock Z87 Extreme4 (MOBO)
Corsair RM750 (PSU)

Its nothing serious, coil whine is perfectly normal with GPU's. Happy gaming

 

[TrueGaming11]

Hello folks, I just bought a new 980 Ti ACX 2.0 and everything is perfect (temps, performance, etc..) no issues whatsoever except for the weird rattling noise coming from the rear end of the card (where the slots are). After reading about this common issue I found out it's the fins that are making this noise (only when the fans are moving at 50-60%). What made me 100% sure of this is when I press slightly on the fins near the GPU's slots the noise disappears and the fins are quite loose in this spot compared to the others. The noise increases when the fans do, increasing the fins movement and generating even more noise. Honestly, the noise isn't bothering me very much but I was wondering, is it serious?

My build:
i7-4770k + Hyper 212 EVO
AsRock Z87 Extreme4 (MOBO)
Corsair RM750 (PSU)

Its nothing serious, coil whine is perfectly normal with GPU's. Happy gaming

Thank you for your reply, Brandon. But, I'm sorry, this sounds far from a coil whine. Coil whine is affected by GPU load and doesn't sound close to what I'm hearing, the issue I'm facing is related to the fans and the cooler's loose fins. I don't hear anything odd when gaming at low GPU load (low fans RPM) but once the fans reach 50% - 60% I start hearing the rattling noise.

 

[Brandon-]

Hello folks, I just bought a new 980 Ti ACX 2.0 and everything is perfect (temps, performance, etc..) no issues whatsoever except for the weird rattling noise coming from the rear end of the card (where the slots are). After reading about this common issue I found out it's the fins that are making this noise (only when the fans are moving at 50-60%). What made me 100% sure of this is when I press slightly on the fins near the GPU's slots the noise disappears and the fins are quite loose in this spot compared to the others. The noise increases when the fans do, increasing the fins movement and generating even more noise. Honestly, the noise isn't bothering me very much but I was wondering, is it serious?

My build:
i7-4770k + Hyper 212 EVO
AsRock Z87 Extreme4 (MOBO)
Corsair RM750 (PSU)

Its nothing serious, coil whine is perfectly normal with GPU's. Happy gaming

Thank you for your reply, Brandon. But, I'm sorry, this sounds far from a coil whine. Coil whine is affected by GPU load and doesn't sound close to what I'm hearing, the issue I'm facing is related to the fans and the cooler's loose fins. I don't hear anything odd when gaming at low GPU load (low fans RPM) but once the fans reach 50% - 60% I start hearing the rattling noise.

Make sure the fan's properly seated. If you need to, get some rubber shims to isolate the fan vibration from the heatsink and mount screws/pegs I'm also reading other people having the same issue with their 980 TI.

 

[TrueGaming11]

Screwing them tightly was the first thing I did when I heard the noise. I really can't find any rubber shims where I live and it's too much of a hassle messing with screws. I can see the loose fin that's generating the noise, I just can't reach it. I don't even have any materials to use to stabilize it. Poking the loose fin with a small headed screw driver and pushing the fin back and forth somehow managed to stabilize it, only to a small extent though.

 

[Brandon-]

Screwing them tightly was the first thing I did when I heard the noise. I really can't find any rubber shims where I live and it's too much of a hassle messing with screws. I can see the loose fin that's generating the noise, I just can't reach it. I don't even have any materials to use to stabilize it. Poking the loose fin with a small headed screw driver and pushing the fin back and forth somehow managed to stabilize it, only to a small extent though.

Dang, only other thing I can think of is to RMA it, or try and find something to stick down there and position it where it won't make the noise.

 

[TrueGaming11]

Screwing them tightly was the first thing I did when I heard the noise. I really can't find any rubber shims where I live and it's too much of a hassle messing with screws. I can see the loose fin that's generating the noise, I just can't reach it. I don't even have any materials to use to stabilize it. Poking the loose fin with a small headed screw driver and pushing the fin back and forth somehow managed to stabilize it, only to a small extent though.

Dang, only other thing I can think of is to RMA it, or try and find something to stick down there and position it where it won't make the noise.

You've already helped just by replying, thank you.

But, RMA isn't an option for me, I'm afraid. I also believe it's not worth the hassle since the card is operating normally. It's fine living with this noise, It's not very loud or that annoying. I just want to know if it's safe using this card with a loose fin.

 

[Reaper_7799]

Probably it will be okay if you can't rma it...you might be able to take it off if you aren't afraid to take things apart.

 

[TrueGaming11]

Probably it will be okay if you can't rma it...you might be able to take it off if you aren't afraid to take things apart.

Do I have to reapply TIM once I take it apart? because I don't have any lol. Also, the noise seems to have disappeared for now.. I can hear it once I get close to it, barely audible..

I'm sorry for making a big fuss about this, I know it might sound ridiculous to some people that I'm complaining. But I bought this card for 660$ and I can't RMA it. I just want to make sure that it's safe to simply ignore it, I don't want my new card dying on me. 🙁

 

[Reaper_7799]

Nah man, you aren't being ridiculous ...anything upwards of $400 or whatever...I'd making sure my sh1t was perfect too, especially just the graphics card. Yeah, you would probably have to reapply thermal paste if you have to take the heatsink off but you may not have too. The fan assembly may come off without removing the heatsink.

 

[TrueGaming11]

Nah man, you aren't being ridiculous ...anything upwards of $400 or whatever...I'd making sure my sh1t was perfect too, especially just the graphics card. Yeah, you would probably have to reapply thermal paste if you have to take the heatsink off but you may not have too. The fan assembly may come off without removing the heatsink.

Is it possible to remove the top cover without removing the heatsink? I just want access to the fin on the rear end of the card (where the slots are). Here's a video I just uploaded: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0dAAA7hMNs

 

[Reaper_7799]

Nah man, you aren't being ridiculous ...anything upwards of $400 or whatever...I'd making sure my sh1t was perfect too, especially just the graphics card. Yeah, you would probably have to reapply thermal paste if you have to take the heatsink off but you may not have too. The fan assembly may come off without removing the heatsink.

Is it possible to remove the top cover without removing the heatsink? I just want access to the fin on the rear end of the card (where the slots are). Here's a video I just uploaded: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0dAAA7hMNs

More than likely yes...I had to take my whole reference card apart and remove the heatsink to install my hybrid but ours are a little different. That part comes apart on mine, where all the hdmi and dp connections are and my shroud, the entire cover came off without removing the heatsink.

I tried to look up some vids to see if anyone has removed them like that without taking off the heatsink but I didn't see any. I know people have taken them apart and installed waterblocks on those cards so they do come apart lie the reference but I just don't know how extensive it is or when you would have to remove the heatsink. I would think that the entire fan unit disassembles from the pcb board and is not attached to the heatsink itself but I could be wrong. I'm not totally sure, sorry.

 

[TrueGaming11]

Nah man, you aren't being ridiculous ...anything upwards of $400 or whatever...I'd making sure my sh1t was perfect too, especially just the graphics card. Yeah, you would probably have to reapply thermal paste if you have to take the heatsink off but you may not have too. The fan assembly may come off without removing the heatsink.

Is it possible to remove the top cover without removing the heatsink? I just want access to the fin on the rear end of the card (where the slots are). Here's a video I just uploaded: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0dAAA7hMNs

More than likely yes...I had to take my whole reference card apart and remove the heatsink to install my hybrid but ours are a little different. That part comes apart on mine, where all the hdmi and dp connections are and my shroud, the entire cover came off without removing the heatsink.

I tried to look up some vids to see if anyone has removed them like that without taking off the heatsink but I didn't see any. I know people have taken them apart and installed waterblocks on those cards so they do come apart lie the reference but I just don't know how extensive it is or when you would have to remove the heatsink. I would think that the entire fan unit disassembles from the pcb board and is not attached to the heatsink itself but I could be wrong. I'm not totally sure, sorry.

Ah, I guess fixing it isn't possible for me, I guess. Going to decide tomorrow whether I'd be willing to RMA it or not. I'm from the Middle East, so it's kind of a hassle getting it to the closest EVGA office for RMA and will cost much. I appreciate the time and effort you took in helping me, thank you very much.

 

[Reaper_7799]

Nah man, you aren't being ridiculous ...anything upwards of $400 or whatever...I'd making sure my sh1t was perfect too, especially just the graphics card. Yeah, you would probably have to reapply thermal paste if you have to take the heatsink off but you may not have too. The fan assembly may come off without removing the heatsink.

Is it possible to remove the top cover without removing the heatsink? I just want access to the fin on the rear end of the card (where the slots are). Here's a video I just uploaded: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0dAAA7hMNs

More than likely yes...I had to take my whole reference card apart and remove the heatsink to install my hybrid but ours are a little different. That part comes apart on mine, where all the hdmi and dp connections are and my shroud, the entire cover came off without removing the heatsink.

I tried to look up some vids to see if anyone has removed them like that without taking off the heatsink but I didn't see any. I know people have taken them apart and installed waterblocks on those cards so they do come apart lie the reference but I just don't know how extensive it is or when you would have to remove the heatsink. I would think that the entire fan unit disassembles from the pcb board and is not attached to the heatsink itself but I could be wrong. I'm not totally sure, sorry.

Ah, I guess fixing it isn't possible for me, I guess. Going to decide tomorrow whether I'd be willing to RMA it or not. I'm from the Middle East, so it's kind of a hassle getting it to the closest EVGA office for RMA and will cost much. I appreciate the time and effort you took in helping me, thank you very much.

You're welcome man...honestly after watching that vid, if that's all it is...you might just be fine but totally understandable with a $650 graphics card. I left a little message on that video, says the same thing after I fully saw it.