A "can I get your pity" thread

[PCTC2]

Well I just bought a 55nm eVGA GTX 260 SuperClocked last week and installed it today, watercooled. Got it up and running, was installing drivers for everything and my system just turns off. I figure PSU or motherboard. Three hours later both check out. My video card is dead. And I didn't even get to overclock it or my i7 yet.

EDIT: Moral of the story: Don't use thermaltape. I bet one of the RAM sinks shorted something.

 

[thilanliyan]

Ooh that sucks. Are you sure it was the thermal tape? I've heard of some EK blocks shorting but on GTX 280s over at Xtremesystems. You put the original cooler back on and try again?

Oh and you have my pity.

 

[PCTC2]

Well, it was just a Swiftech MCW-60 Rev2 and a modified GTX200 RAMsink with some Enzotech RAM and Mosfet Sinks, all attached by thermal tape.

 

[MarcVenice]

That sucks. Maybe you can now try for a b3 revision: http://hardware-infos.com/news.php?news=2652

basicaly some 55nm gtx260's are b2 stepping, while the gtx285/gtx295 are b3, which show greater powersavings and clock better, or so they say.

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: PCTC2
Well, it was just a Swiftech MCW-60 Rev2 and a modified GTX200 RAMsink with some Enzotech RAM and Mosfet Sinks, all attached by thermal tape.

Did one of the ramsinks actually fall off?

 

[VulcanX]

*cough* thats when i immediately start crying and pull my hair out, oh and start smoking full time with a bit of drugs and alcohol on the side. I could never handle that, sorry to hear dude, but what the heck is thermal tape? :|

 

[Dadofamunky]

Send it back RMA! Do it yesterday and get another one. How the heck would they know? Just say you got a bum unit. then, NEVER use that stuff again. I love EVGA and think they're a great company, but my ethics don't extend to eating a $300 loss for an innocent mistake.

I just bought a cute li'l single-slot 9600 GT as an upgrade for my Athlon 4800+ system, from a 7800GT that is almost 4 years old. EVGA, of course.

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: VulcanX
what the heck is thermal tape? :|

You can use it to stick ramsinks onto memory chips since something like AS5 isn't adhesive.

I used Arctic Alumina epoxy and it sticks the ramsinks on good but I had to put my card in the freezer to get them off.

 

[VulcanX]

Wow u dudes really know ur stuff and thats some hectic stuff in that case dude, i wouldnt put anything out of my pc near my freezer. HAHA. And just ensure that u dont leave traces before u send it back, they wont know whats really happened in any case, just say it stopped working and act like an innocent victim that ALWAYS works. And why doesnt normal thermal paste work? like AS5 creates quite a bond between HSF and CPU, i mean wouldnt that be enough? *then again when it heats up it goes back to a liquid* hmmm now i see

 

[Rinaun]

Originally posted by: VulcanX
Wow u dudes really know ur stuff and thats some hectic stuff in that case dude, i wouldnt put anything out of my pc near my freezer. HAHA. And just ensure that u dont leave traces before u send it back, they wont know whats really happened in any case, just say it stopped working and act like an innocent victim that ALWAYS works. And why doesnt normal thermal paste work? like AS5 creates quite a bond between HSF and CPU, i mean wouldnt that be enough? *then again when it heats up it goes back to a liquid* hmmm now i see

in b4 mod post

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER [/b]
Please do not promote fraud, it is violation of the forum guidelines located here Note in rule #4, what the Administrator states concerning the violation of U.S. laws-

No posting of other's copyrighted material. Discussions of copyright are becoming increasingly important, but we will not allow the Forums to be used to violate any US law.

Repeated violations of the guidelines will result in your posting privileges being suspended or revoked- Anandtech Motherboards Moderator-DAPUNISHER

different forums, I assume still rule apply. Lay low

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: Rinaun
different forums, I assume still rule apply. Lay low

Yessir.

Ways to fraudulently circumvent RMA policies are not to be discussed. As far as I know, XFX is the only video card company where the warranty is not voided through modifications (i.e. removing the HSF).

- AmberClad (Video Mod)

 

[Denithor]

Actually I would RMA the card and disclose that there was a problem during use of a waterblock (which didn't leak or anything - I presume?). EVGA covers overclocking and aftermarket cooling as long as there isn't physical damage to the card.

EDIT:

Originally posted by: AmberClad

Originally posted by: Rinaun
different forums, I assume still rule apply. Lay low

Yessir.

Ways to fraudulently circumvent RMA policies are not to be discussed. As far as I know, XFX is the only video card company where the warranty is not voided through modifications (i.e. removing the HSF).

- AmberClad (Video Mod)

Incorrect. See policy here.

-There is no physical damage to the PCB, GPU/chipset, or components that are caused by: Damage due to improper installation, damage during modification of any kind, damage during any type of aftermarket cooling installation, and water damage of any kind.
-The product is returned to EVGA in the original factory configuration and condition. All aftermarket modification must be reversed before sending in the product for replacement.

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Actually I would RMA the card and disclose that there was a problem during use of a waterblock (which didn't leak or anything - I presume?). EVGA covers overclocking and aftermarket cooling as long as there isn't physical damage to the card.

That doesn't appear to be the case.

EVGA's warranty terms

This limited lifetime warranty is valid for the life of the retail product, so long as the original purchaser owns the product, based upon the following conditions:

[snip]

There is no physical damage to the PCB, GPU/chipset, or components that are caused by: Damage due to improper installation, damage during modification of any kind, damage during any type of Aftermarket cooling installation, and water damage of any kind.

- AmberClad (Video Mod)

 

[Rinaun]

Being honest is a big plus, trust me. I've had clients who leave their cases open, get a drip or dab of something on their desk, and try to RMA things when they break stuff. Almost always if its water/fire damage though, they don't seem to take them. Not sure if they notice the damage, or see these type of things enough to know what damage associates with what problem. To be frank, I've had better luck being honest.

edit: Mod beat me to it. They KNOW what to look for, don't try to fool them. Just wasting your shipping cash.

 

[Denithor]

Amber -

Apparently we looked at the same policy and saw two different meanings. Note I altered my original post (above) to include backup for my post.

Let us know what you think. Perhaps the OP should simply RMA his card with full disclosure & keep us posted on how it turns out?

 

[Rinaun]

Agreed. I've seen enough cards damaged, sent in, and sent packing by companies (Mainly EVGA) to know that its a slim chance that even lying he'd get away with it (not that he would). I think being open, and letting us know the results would be more beneficial to everyone

P.S. Hopefully you don't end up with expensive keychains, like one G80 of mine and a 7950gx2.

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Incorrect. See policy here.

-There is no physical damage to the PCB, GPU/chipset, or components that are caused by: Damage due to improper installation, damage during modification of any kind, damage during any type of aftermarket cooling installation, and water damage of any kind.
-The product is returned to EVGA in the original factory configuration and condition. All aftermarket modification must be reversed before sending in the product for replacement.

I interpret that to mean that (imo):

1) If there is a manufacturing defect with the card that's unrelated to the user botching an aftermarket cooler installation, then the user is allowed to RMA the card after replacing the stock heatsink.

2) The intent of the wording of the warranty is to prevent users from RMAing if they break the card due to aftermarket cooler installation. Also, in this case, it sounds like there possibly was physical damage (to the VRAM) due to the use of thermal tape that didn't secure the RAMsinks, or a short occurred.

If the OP is honest with CS and explains what happened, then I don't really see a problem

- AmberClad (Video Mod)

 

[Rinaun]

If they see PHYSICAL DAMAGE (Burnt MOFSETS, Twisted/missing capacitors or ICs, or water/liquid stains), I assume they will just return it to you as they have for my clients numerous times. Atleast with evga.

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: AmberClad
If the OP is honest with CS and explains what happened, then I don't really see a problem

- AmberClad (Video Mod)

That's how I would proceed as well. I mean, EVGA gets tons of cards back every year, they know what to look for in terms of damage. As Rinaun stated, if you lie about it there's a slim chance it will slip past them (highly unlikely) but I doubt it.

Does the card appear to have any physical damage sustained during your efforts? IE burned caps or circuits, etc. If not, I say restore to factory default & RMA, disclosing that you were using aftermarket cooling when the card failed.

 

[JCGhz]

If there is no physical damage caused by the installation.. they cannot prove that installing the waterblock and other sinks killed the card.

My reasoning behind this is they cant prove the same thing would'nt have happened without the altered cooling method.

Be honest and rma it.. I think they will help you out especially if your honest. If they dont make sure your next card is an XFX

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: JCGhz
If they dont make sure your next card is an XFX

I don't think they're so lax about their cards either. Who would be?

 

[PCTC2]

Well, I RMA'd it, stating the problem, and that the 'damage' was replacing the thermalpads and TIM. Sent it back today.

eVGA's warranty states that you can RMA it as long as all modifications and aftermarket coolers are replaced back to stock.