R9 280x only gives out a picture when heated up with hairdryer before booting.

[apenzijnstoer]

I just got a bargain on an r9 280x sapphire vapor-x. The seller told me it doesn't boot unless you heat it up with something like a blowdryer. And...it does, boots up nothing weird happening. But on a cold boot it doesn't give a picture, nothing. When it's up and running it plays games perfectly no artifacts or high temps or anything else out of the ordinary. Can anyone tell me whats up with that and preferably how to fix it?

 

[velocityg4]

Sounds like loosening solder joints. You can try the baking method to reflow solder joints. It isn't a long term fix. But may give you another few months to a year.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Temporarily+repair+a+lost-cause+graphics+card+by+heating+it+up+in+an+oven/2240

 

[apenzijnstoer]

Sounds like loosening solder joints. You can try the baking method to reflow solder joints. It isn't a long term fix. But may give you another few months to a year.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Temporarily+repair+a+lost-cause+graphics+card+by+heating+it+up+in+an+oven/2240

I might try that at one point but a hairdryer wouldn't be enough heat to reconnect solder right?

 

[velocityg4]

Sounds like loosening solder joints. You can try the baking method to reflow solder joints. It isn't a long term fix. But may give you another few months to a year.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Temporarily+repair+a+lost-cause+graphics+card+by+heating+it+up+in+an+oven/2240

I might try that at one point but a hairdryer wouldn't be enough heat to reconnect solder right?

No, a hair dryer is not hot enough. When metal heats it expands. The hair dryer is probably just heating things up enough to fill some minute cracks. That's my guess anyways.

There are different types of solder. Generally the melting points are between 190C and 220C. Much higher than a hair dryer. I suppose you could use a heat gun instead of an oven. Then you can specifically target different points. Although I'd want one with temperature control. As they can get insanely hot. You would never use one as a hair dryer.

Edit: I would also note. Using the hair dryer won't work forever. Each time you heat then cool the GPU. You are making the problem worse. If the problem is fatigue of the solder joints. You'd likely be better off having it do GPU mining or BOINC all the time when not gaming. That way the temperature is steadier.

 

[apenzijnstoer]

I hav tried baking it twice now, hasn't worked still need a hairdryer. I might try 'n use a heat gun if I can find someone who will lend it to me.