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GTX 260 - broken fan

ptbptb

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This may be a bit off topic, but I've just bought and installed a new GTX 260 and only one of the fans work. I think it's a mechanical problem - it wobbles and clonks because the plastic fan itself is not attached to the axle (I presume it is meant to be).

Hopefully the place I bought it from will be nice about it and replace the card. If not - are these things DIY repairable?

Incidentally, I can honestly say I don't think I manhandled the card in a way likely to break stuff. I was quite careful about how I held it - but I suppose I can't be absolutely 100% certain. How hard is it to break fans with a careless grab? Has anybody done that?
 

newtekie1

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What model was it, most GTX260 cards only have one fan. If the fan has a shroud around it, then it should be pretty hard to break a fan just by handling it, but nothings impossible.
 

ptbptb

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What model was it, most GTX260 cards only have one fan. If the fan has a shroud around it, then it should be pretty hard to break a fan just by handling it, but nothings impossible.

It was (and still is, I hope ;-) a GeForce GTX 260 "Core 216 55nm" 896MB GDDR3 Dual DVI (PCI-Express)

It has two fans and they are not covered over with a grid or anything.
Looks like this http://simflight.com/2009/02/23/geforce-gtx-260-at-guru3d/
(but not exactly the same). It looks like mine is from 'Gainward' (?).
 

wolf

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I own a Gainward GTX260 just like that one, except mine is 1792mb, and I never had an issue with the fan...

anyway you do so you have a few options, if you just bought it you should be fully able/entitled to return ot for a replacement, as it seems like you got it like that.

if your feeling game you can take off the whole fan shroud, which should be 2 screws on the pci bracket (silver area with monitor connectors) and two screws at the power input end of the PCB on the back side.

then you can just cable tie another fan to it, or even just point a case fan at it, but I'd monitor temps closely.
 

ptbptb

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anyway you do so you have a few options, if you just bought it you should be fully able/entitled to return ot for a replacement, as it seems like you got it like that.

Yeah, now I wish I'd spun the fans with my finger before installing it so I'd know for certain. I'll send it back and keep my fingers crossed. Hopefully it won't come to manual fan replacement - but thanks for the advice in case it does.
 

wolf

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Yeah, now I wish I'd spun the fans with my finger before installing it so I'd know for certain. I'll send it back and keep my fingers crossed. Hopefully it won't come to manual fan replacement - but thanks for the advice in case it does.

always here to help :)

oh, and welcome to TPU :toast:
 

ptbptb

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Hi everyone, just to say that I've just got an email saying a replacement card is being sent to me. I have to commend overclockers.co.uk for their very swift response (once I actually sent the package back ;-) and it looks like they aren't the sort of company to try pulling a fast one when checking the card for 'user stupidity damage'.

Before I sent the card back I noticed that both the fans actually had some damage - cracks coming from the centre - which led me to think "squashed during post" is the by far the most likely cause of my problems.

So, I guess the moral is look closely at the card before trying to install it. :)
 
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i hope you got that card dirt cheap.....
 

ptbptb

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i hope you got that card dirt cheap.....

I don't think it was bargain of the decade. It was 127 pounds (or 200 dollars if you're in America). Everything costs more in the UK than it does in America, though. :(
 
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oh boy, you should have gotten GTX-460 768MB

and look at my location again ;)
 
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