Broken Video Cards. Buy now or wait for Polaris/Pascal?

[TheGuruStud]

Why would you use a 1080 monitor over 4k regardless of the resolution? It just doesn't make any sense.

That's an asinine suggestion. Just let it scale.

 

[Vayra86]

I would advise strongly AGAINST putting a lot of money into a high end GPU right now.

There is an easy and very low-cost way out of this:
get a second hand GPU now, something mid-range-ey and comparable to R9 280x, grab a GTX 770 or something. Or go one tier higher perhaps to a 780/290. They're on sale everywhere, they are relatively young so usually without issues, and you can resell them for about half the price you bought them for in a year's time, when Polaris/Pascal have landed with complete line ups.

The thing is, if you wait for Pascal now, you will first be looking at a mid-range chip that is marketed as high end, just like the GTX 970/980 are now. You will have to wait for the big chip a bit longer, and since that is the level you want to buy into right now, it doesn't make sense to do that on an outdated process. Especially not if you're not one to switch cards on a yearly/bi-yearly basis. Therefore, get a cheap alternative to sit it out, lose very little money in the process (about 80-100 bucks for a full year of gaming - way less $/time played than if you buy into a 650 dollar GPU today) and you will be up to date much longer for only a very small premium.

In general I do agree that 'wait it out' is never worth it, but today times are different - we have been stuck on 28nm for way too long and it is being drawn out with very little performance gain since 2012/2013, games are catered to that performance cap, and VR + 4K + DX12 + process shrink + new games are around the corner. Not a single GPU is really built for that big step forward today, so waiting is now easily the wiser decision.

 

[silentbogo]

ts not so much about replacing parts on cards (Because that's not normally worthwhile) its about quick fixes/band aids to see if we can keep them alive. Like before what issues were you having (No output from either card, lines, or other issues) because we could just have you remove the heat sink and see if you can cook the cards for a bit to bring them back to life just for a couple of months.

Don't do that.
As I said earlier, those video cards most likely don't need a GPU reball/reflow and "baking" might actually render them unrepairable instead of fixing the issue.
These types of "bandaids" are only applicable to various old crap, like 10 year-old laptop GPUs and PC videocards from early 2000's, but not a decent modern GPU.

I have not fully opened the video cards to see if there are any burn capacitors or vrm. Even so, there is someone that can but finding the parts is hard.

Failed component does not necessarily mean "burned" component. You may not be able to visually identify what's not working.
If you are from Guam, then a proper repair will definitely be cheap. Locally (Ukraine) I outsource BGA re-balling to a local lab and they usually charge ~$15-20 per unit, depending on chip footprint. Simple things, like fixing power issues or replacing failed components, costs even less. Take it to a specialist, pay a few bucks for proper[!] fix and be happy for another few months until Pascal or Polaris arrives. Plus you'll get some cash back by selling those cards afterwards.

 

[HD64G]

Imho, best way to ejoy 4K for next 2-3 years is eaither to get 2 X R9 390 8GB (not Fury as 8GB Vram will be needed for sure with DX12 more than ever) or wait to find out if any of the next gen GPUs will be able to handle this res easily enough. I would buy 2 used 390s atm and resell whenever a better solution not too much expensive lands the market in next year or so.

 

[GhostRyder]

Don't do that.
As I said earlier, those video cards most likely don't need a GPU reball/reflow and "baking" might actually render them unrepairable instead of fixing the issue.
These types of "bandaids" are only applicable to various old crap, like 10 year-old laptop GPUs and PC videocards from early 2000's, but not a decent modern GPU.


Failed component does not necessarily mean "burned" component. You may not be able to visually identify what's not working.
If you are from Guam, then a proper repair will definitely be cheap. Locally (Ukraine) I outsource BGA re-balling to a local lab and they usually charge ~$15-20 per unit, depending on chip footprint. Simple things, like fixing power issues or replacing failed components, costs even less. Take it to a specialist, pay a few bucks for proper[!] fix and be happy for another few months until Pascal or Polaris arrives. Plus you'll get some cash back by selling those cards afterwards.

First, you would be surprised how many times that works. Of course it depends on the issue but then again we don't even know what happened which is why I asked what was wrong with the cards mostly because also two cards going out at the same time is a bit odd. Never said it was guaranteed but depending on what needs to be replaced it can be done.

 

[little cat]

Its not so much about replacing parts on cards (Because that's not normally worthwhile) its about quick fixes/band aids to see if we can keep them alive. Like before what issues were you having (No output from either card, lines, or other issues) because we could just have you remove the heat sink and see if you can cook the cards for a bit to bring them back to life just for a couple of months.

On a side note, on that site they have R9 390's for as low as $333 so I would check into that as a place holder for the time being as that would be a cheap upgrade that could tide you over until the new cards start coming out.

Maybe this is the best bang for the buck . $371 for R9 390 . R9 390X is only 6.6% faster than R9 390 but costs $470 , so R9 390X is not worth .

 

[XFXSupport]

Hi there!

Recently both of my R9 280x just gave out. I bought them used and XFX only gave me a 2-year warranty and it just so happens to crap out after the warranty. As of right now, I am running my lil bro's 750ti to drive my 4k monitor. The 750ti is great for browsing the web, video playback, and office work but cannot run any of my games with 4k even at the lowest settings. People would say run at a lower res so that the games can run. If that is the case, then might as well return my 4k monitor and just use my old 1080p monitor which I won't go back after having this awesome monitor.

On the horizon, both Amd and Nvidia will reveal their new GPUs that are based on the newer 14nm/16nm nodes that are not only power efficient but will run cooler. Thing is, I am desperate on playing again. I am ready to splurge on a Fury X to support my 4k and Freesync.

Question is: should i buy now or wait for new tech?

Let me take a look at your serial #'s and receipts, ill see what i can do. Can you PM me your xfxsupport Ticket # or serial #'s?

 

[Slacker]

Thanks for the reply guys!

@XFXSupport, I have sent you a PM with the tickets numbers and serial numbers for the video cards.

As for everyone else, Guam is a very small island and buying used online like eBay is fine. The resell part isn't so great as there are only a handful of people on island that actually game on a PC. 290x/390x is good though for a card to fall on right now but I have to see.

 

[Azumay]

Contact evga about there step up program. See if Gaum is ok for them. Check which cards are ok to step up from. Buy 2 and when new NVidia cards come out.....poof step up.

 

[Slacker]

So I have decided to buy a new/used card because my warranty from XFX has been overdue. I have been looking for new and used cards and I am only looking towards buying a 290x/390x or a R9 Nano. Reason why I am not choosing the Fury X is because of the small gap that the Fury X and Nano have in performance and the huge $100+ difference in price. The performance differences though from a 290x to 390x and to a Nano are about a little over 10%.

The Nano now has a better performance per buck as it was when it was released. Then again the 390x is only 10% slower. I only game on my 4k monitor with Freesync so that is why Amd video cards only.

Here are some links to what I am leaning towards:

R9 Nano:http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch.asp?scriteria=BG29944#.VwN4kUfGCK8

R9 390x: http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch.asp?scriteria=BA80497#.VwN4kkfGCK8

eBay search results for either a 290x or 390x doesn't yield anything good or if it is good it is from the EU.

290x: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=r9+290x&rt=nc&LH_Auction=1

390x: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...0.TRC0.H0.Xr9+390x.TRS0&_nkw=r9+390x&_sacat=0

 

[jboydgolfer]

seriously. the whole "wait" theory is moot plain and simple.

this.
I also am of the same opinion. When AMD or Nvidia is releasing a new line-up They are trying to improve REALISTICALLY what? 10% MAYBE a little more on they're Mid range GPU's (the most popular selling card). Your not considering a 960 or something, you're talking 980Ti's, and Fury's, in which case if the newest card even outperforms them by 8% , it will be a surprise. Im sure there will be claims of this and that, but when all the lights from the magic show turn off, what your left with is a Slightly faster card, for a premium "just released " price.

buy a current Gen high tier, and be done with it. besides, OP, you said cards are limited where you live, and thinking they will have a just released GPU when they are at theyre hottest, is a bit hopefull, and expensive, Even if you Were able to find one.

 

[EarthDog]

Typically, the new midrange cards tend to match or slightly beat the previous gen flagship. Look at the 970 compared to a 780ti, for example. I expect this rumored midrange pascal to come close to a 980ti, but using less power. This is typical of the gpu lifecycle.

 

[giorgio_f]

I'm more or less in the same dilemma situation:

I'm building a new pc based on Skylake socket at the moment and right now I have an MSI R9 270X (2Gb).I was thinking of a GTX 970 as a replacement...

Should I wait for the new line up and use this graphic card for a while or buy a new one?

 

[P4-630]

I'm more or less in the same dilemma situation:

I'm building a new pc based on Skylake socket at the moment and right now I have an MSI R9 270X (2Gb).I was thinking of a GTX 970 as a replacement...

Should I wait for the new line up and use this graphic card for a while or buy a new one?

Well, I'm on intel HD530 on my new skylake build at the moment, I'm still waiting as well.

Edit: I can still play my games on my ROG laptop when needed though.