PWM shorted on 970, is it dead for good?

[xmountainxlionx]

Basically a small heatsink with the stick thermal pads didn't stick well enough and fell onto the PWMs while my card (gigabyte 970) was running and shorted. Now the computer will not boot with it in. Is there anything that can be done to resurrect it? There is absolutely no physical damage anywhere that I can SEE. I've read about some people re-soldering a new MOSFET, and I am willing to attempt, but I can't tell which one is fried, or if its another component.

EDIT:VRM chips, not PWM...wtf. Sorry I'm tired, need to goto bed.

 

[gaximodo]

I think a photo will benefit people to understand the damage better.

 

[HWTactics]

Pics would be nice. If you took the model number off the top of the VRM component(s) that were shorted you may be able to find something on Mouser or Digi-Key.

I've seen this happen enough to always have a set of arctic alumina adhesive in the 'fridge. Just adhered some heatsinks to a GA-H61N-USB3 board tonight for running an i7-3770 with it actually. Once it cures, it's bonded for GOOD.

 

[Caring1]

If you have a multi-meter you could check resistance of each VRM module in an attempt to isolate where the issue is.
I believe there is a voltage controller on the rear of the card but without knowing the model number and pictures can't be sure.
A magnifying lens helps in cases like this due to the size of many components.

 

[Aquinus]

How does something simply "fall into the VRMs?"

Basically a small heatsink with the stick thermal pads didn't stick well enough and fell onto the PWMs while my card (gigabyte 970) was running and shorted.

thermal pads aren't conductive, so I fail to see how it caused your problem. Are you certain that your temperatures weren't just really high because maybe the pads or TIM was installed incorrectly? That's what I'm gathering if a pad "fell off".

 

[SonicZap]

thermal pads aren't conductive, so I fail to see how it caused your problem. Are you certain that your temperatures weren't just really high because maybe the pads or TIM was installed incorrectly? That's what I'm gathering if a pad "fell off".

If I got it right, the heatsink fell into the VRMs, not the thermal pad.

 

[Aquinus]

If I got it right, the heatsink fell into the VRMs, not the thermal pad.

I guess I need pictures. I'm having a really hard time picturing how this could have happened.

 

[xmountainxlionx]

Not my exact card but this is the same model (literally no damage can be seen at all on mine, looked with a magnifying glass). After examining it closer last night I found some kind of residue on the VRMs that I think was left frorm the stock thermal pads that was causing the adhesive not to bond. The computer was moved into place and the heatsink must have tipped over (they are the made for memory chips, so .5x.5" or so) on to the PCB without notice before I turned it on and it shorted.

 

[brandonwh64]

No he meant pictures of YOUR card with the shorted places.

 

[xmountainxlionx]

No he meant pictures of YOUR card with the shorted places.

Sure thing, I'll be home from work around 6pm est

 

[jsfitz54]

FYI, that "residue" (from the silicone pads) should be scrubbed off with 91% medical grade Isopropyl Alcohol and a Q-tip, twice, aka rinse and repeat. (not that 70% crap)

Sorry you have this problem.

Yes, post pictures of YOUR card when you get home.

 

[Aquinus]

No he meant pictures of YOUR card with the shorted places.

Well, even looking at the stock photos, I still don't understand how the short could have happened. The OP said:

Basically a small heatsink with the stick thermal pads didn't stick well enough and fell onto the PWMs while my card (gigabyte 970) was running and shorted.

Do you (the OP,) mean to say that a fin came off the heat sink and shorted the GPU? I still don't understand how this could have happened. I'm incredibly confused.

 

[xmountainxlionx]

Well, even looking at the stock photos, I still don't understand how the short could have happened. The OP said:

Do you (the OP,) mean to say that a fin came off the heat sink and shorted the GPU? I still don't understand how this could have happened. I'm incredibly confused.

I placed the heatsink on the VRMs, I moved the computer into its place, I turned it on and it shorted, opened the case the heatsink metal was touching the circuit due to the adhesive not adhering. I guess "fell onto" was not the best phrasing to use, more like "slid off".

 

[jsfitz54]

Do you (the OP,) mean to say that a fin came off the heat sink and shorted the GPU? I still don't understand how this could have happened. I'm incredibly confused.

Metal heat sink slid off VRM (on to / bridging) MOSFET and shorted.

The OP made a mistake, quit busting balls.

 

[Aquinus]

Metal heat sink slid off VRM (on to / bridging) MOSFET and shorted.

The OP made a mistake, quit busting balls.

I'm not busting balls. These fins are typically soldered to the heatpipe. I seriously don't understand how this could have happened, I'm not busting balls, I'm just confused by how he said it happened. This heatsink is one unit which is why I find it confusing. There is only one way you can mount the cooler. There is nothing that should be able to "slide" with this kind of cooling configuration. I would rather the OP show with pictures, what he thinks happened as opposed to us trying to guess.

 

[xmountainxlionx]

these are the heatsinks:

I was water cooling the card. Also I should have gotten the VRM heatsinks instead of trying to get by on these.

 

[Aquinus]

these are the heatsinks:

I was water cooling the card. Also I should have gotten the VRM heatsinks instead of trying to get by on these.

That makes a lot more sense. Thank you for clarifying that for us. If it did make contact it could be any number of things that could be damaged aside from the MOSFETs themselves. You can try replacing the hardware in came in contact with it but, that might not be what's broken. You might have a hard time finding the exact replacement component as well. I'm not exactly sure what to say as such modifications aren't covered by any warranty. If I were in your position, I would be looking at replacing the GPU (as goes the old adage: "Time is money.").

Personally, I don't like putting anything in my chassis that can't be bolted down.

 

[HWTactics]

Personally, I don't like putting anything in my chassis that can't be bolted down.

THIS x100000000

I don't even like using thermal adhesive. I rivet, bolt, anchor and solder anything and everything I possibly can. For memory cooling the best you can do is thermal adhesive mixed with a little bit of thermal paste; semi-permanent, only removable if you specifically try, if you're worried about warranty returns. Thermal conductivity is far superior to any kind of thermal tape or pad, too.

OP: EVGA GTX 970 B Stock is $255 if you need to replace the card as cheaply as possible with a 1-year warranty. Not sure about the FS section here, may be able to get a good deal there as well.

 

[xmountainxlionx]

Yeah, I already bought a new one...ugh that was painful...

 

[thesmokingman]

Eeek, yea those fall off over time. Cheapo adhesive. Did you get those sinks off amazon?

 

[xmountainxlionx]

Eeek, yea those fall off over time. Cheapo adhesive. Did you get those sinks off amazon?

yup

 

[eidairaman1]

time to RMA if possible