Question What is the reason for zig zag/snake/dots/lines pattern dust inside a GPU's shroud?

[VERX]

Got a GPU and noticed weird dust patterns inside the shroud.

What is the reason for this? it looks like as if it's been wiped with a dirty cloth or something...

 

[Lutfij]

If you had a way to visibly see the path the air took and in essence the path the dirt took, then you'll end up with those swirls. I wouldn't be worried about them unless you're seeing dust bunnies that'll hinder tempts for your GPU.

 

[iTRiP]

That looks like moisture that had dried to me.

 

[kanewolf]

I would say turbulence. Those are areas of slower airflow that allow dust to settle.

 

[VERX]

If you had a way to visibly see the path the air took and in essence the path the dirt took, then you'll end up with those swirls. I wouldn't be worried about them unless you're seeing dust bunnies that'll hinder tempts for your GPU.

I just want to know what caused it as if it's something bad then I'll return the card.

That looks like moisture that had dried to me.

Could it be one of those air canned sprays?

 

[iTRiP]

I just want to know what caused it as if it's something bad then I'll return the card.

Could it be one of those air canned sprays?

My opinion how it got there: the gpu was in a location that had moisture buildup like that and then it dried.

But it could have been a wet cloth as well, kinda tight to get in with a wet cloth like that, but you cant rule it out.

possibly not even harmful to the card at all, since it's not still wet.

 

[VERX]

My opinion how it got there: the gpu was in a location that had moisture buildup like that and then it dried.

But it could have been a wet cloth as well, kinda tight to get in with a wet cloth like that, but you cant rule it out.

possibly not even harmful to the card at all, since it's not still wet.

Yeah getting a cloth in there doesn't make sense especially in picture 4 where this pattern goes even more inside (can't even get a picture for that).

Looks like I'm going to have to return the card, didn't pay $1129 for whatever this is.

 

[Eximo]

Could just be the releasing agent used in the plastic molding process that wasn't cleaned off and attracted dust.

Heatsink could also have machine oil residue, though I would think that would be taken care of well before the nickel/chrome plating.

 

[VERX]

I got this Gigabyte 4080 Gaming OC for the same price as the cheapest 5070 Ti (the MSI Ventus), the store owner said they had it in a pre built and that it was "never used". When I was in the store and had a look at it there was some normal dust on the fans which is no big deal since it's in a case for some time but today for some reason decided to use a flash light in a dark room and have a more detailed look into the card, got surprised by this, I mean it's not your normal dust from fans spinning, this gives the impression that something wet was there.

 

[Eximo]

Does it bench properly? GPUs like that are quite hard to come by, and I wouldn't mind manually cleaning it.

If it is really used, you have still paid less than the typical used price today.

Except for a few oddly cheap $500 dollar sales on ebay, hopefully not people getting scammed, the cheapest 4080 sold in the last few days went for $960.

 

[iTRiP]

I got this Gigabyte 4080 Gaming OC for the same price as the cheapest 5070 Ti (the MSI Ventus), the store owner said they had it in a pre built and that it was "never used". When I was in the store and had a look at it there was some normal dust on the fans which is no big deal since it's in a case for some time but today for some reason decided to use a flash light in a dark room and have a more detailed look into the card, got surprised by this, I mean it's not your normal dust from fans spinning, this gives the impression that something wet was there.

Why would you return the card for that alone, is there something else that stops it from functioning right?

Ok maybe I get your point it had been used... that could be some concern in the long run, and when your then going to be facing other issues you'll always think of this.

 

[VERX]

Does it bench properly? GPUs like that are quite hard to come by, and I wouldn't mind manually cleaning it.

If it is really used, you have still paid less than the typical used price today.

Except for a few oddly cheap $500 dollar sales on ebay, hopefully not people getting scammed, the cheapest 4080 sold in the last few days went for $960.

I still haven't got the chance to test it. I'm making a new build, still need to get a new motherboard, CPU and a case for this card.

When I found out about the card going on sale and it was the only one left I was literally at the store 3 hours before it opened just so no one else gets it before me.

Don't want to get a 5070 Ti, but seeing this in the 4080 is just unsettling for me. Thing is the pattern points to moist and this is alarming, what if rust builds up? or something else that can't be seen is affected by this? I really really don't want to return this card but this price is way over my budget, can't afford having the card damaged with a warranty that is only 1 year (it's 1 year here for all parts).

Why would you return the card for that alone, is there something else that stops it from functioning right?

Ok maybe I get your point it had been used... that could be some concern in the long run, and when your then going to be facing other issues you'll always think of this.

I haven't tested it yet, still need to get other parts.

If the owner told me it was used for say 2-3 months I would not mind it at all and would not mind it if it was just your normal dust in there, it's the fact that the dust pattern indicates that something wet might be the reason for it which is what worries me the most.

 

[iTRiP]

I still haven't got the chance to test it. I'm making a new build, still need to get a new motherboard, CPU and a case for this card.

When I found out about the card going on sale and it was the only one left I was literally at the store 3 hours before it opened just so no one else gets it before me.

Don't want to get a 5070 Ti, but seeing this in the 4080 is just unsettling for me. Thing is the pattern points to moist and this is alarming, what if rust builds up? or something else that can be seen is affected by this? I really really don't want to return this card but this price is way over my budget, can't afford having the card damaged with a warranty that is only 1 year (it's 1 year here for all parts).

I haven't tested it yet, still need to get other parts.

If the owner told me it was used for say 2-3 months I would not mind it at all and would not mind it if it was just your normal dust in there, it's the fact that the dust pattern indicates that something wet might be the reason for it which is what worries me the most.

I'm sorry to say this but if this happened to me something so concerning to post about it, and sorry for whom ever thought they could sell you something that you obviously could possibly have an issue with that then I would do return it and buy another GPU with less ambiguity to it's providence as they say in RDR2.

 

[USAFRet]

Air currents.

Build it.
Test it.

If it works, leave it alone.

 

[iTRiP]

Air currents.

Build it.
Test it.

If it works, leave it alone.

But don't forget to replace pc components that keep raising an issue whilst doing just that.

And then play, don't forget to play!

 

[alceryes]

Injection molded plastic can retain a slight static charge.

Normally, with higher humidity, dust in the air clumps together to form larger pieces of dust (relatively). These larger pieces of dust are heavier and generally just fall down to the first surface they hit (think coffee table, book shelf, floor, etc.)

Dry air (low humidity) allows for super-fine dust particles to stay super-fine, i.e. not clump together to make larger dust particles. These super-fine particles are so light that they can pretty much stay aloft, moving throughout your home. When these super-fine dust particles get near pieces of plastic that have a slight static charge to them, they cling. It happens with other plastic items too. Plastic bags, Tupperware, etc.

Note that when I'm talking about super-fine dust particles and then larger dust particles, I'm still talking about dust that is many orders of magnitude smaller than the dust bunny in the corner.

 

[VERX]

Is it possible to remove the shroud only without touching any of the screws on top? I'm thinking about removing the shroud if possible and have a better look...

EDIT: Not possible, one of the screws needs the top part to be removed.

I'm leaning towards keeping the card, or not, this is just confusing, the card is just too good to be returned for a 5070Ti which feels like a downgrade (which it probably is). On Saturday or Sunday I'm going to see what the store owner has to say about this and guess then I'll make my mind.