A string of 290x failures.

[Stuntz]

Hey folks, 1st time poster here looking for some insight into a long running problem (fiasco at this point?).

Let's get the basics out of the way.
Spec:
i7-4930k. Tested @ stock, @ 4.4GHz, @5.1GHz. Issue remains at all 3.
32GB ddr3 2133Mhz. Tested @ ~1600 aswell. No change. Memtest run & passed.
Asus x79-Deluxe, newest bios revision.
Xonar Essence STX sound card.
Corsair HX1050 psu. Voltages are all reading very stable, though I've had this PSU for a few years now. Oldest component.
Win 7

Back in late Dec '13 (~16 months) I ordered an Asus 290x DCUII OC. It's been hassle ever since.
Card #1: Black screen on desktop, games instantly froze/crashed. Card unusable and RMA'd.
Card #2: Lasted ~1 year. intermittent black screens. Card eventually RMA'd due to fan bearing failure/fan failure.
Card #3: DoA. Never even made it to the desktop. Instantly returned.
Card #4: Blackscreening. Display corruption in games.

That's where I stand now. I've tested the card @ AMD stock instead of factory stock (1000/1250 instead of 1050/1350), no change.
I've run a factory OC'd 270x in its place in the same rig - no issues.
I've tested this 4th 290x in another machine, all different components - issues remain.

GPU Bios & drivers are fully up to date in all cases.

As you can imagine, I'm having a damned hard time believing that I've received 4 bad cards in a row. As I'm passed the point of a refund, I'm left with just the manufacturer's warranty, and dealing with Asus is like pulling teeth.

Vid of in-game display issues:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6-jKHvIc6E

memtestCL of factory OC'd 270x:
http://i.imgur.com/0psL17A.png

memtestCl of AMD stock settings 290x:
http://i.imgur.com/CTUD009.png

Near as I can tell, I really am dealing with a 4th card that has bad memory - but at this point even Asus are giving me a big "NOPE, CAN'T BE 4 IN A ROW!". To be honest, I don't blame them.

I could use a second opinion. Am I missing something obvious, or am I just that unlucky (or foolish for buying an asus amd card in the 1st place)?

 

[Ketchup]

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if it's just the cards. Why? ASUS. What I have always heard about Asus is that when they're great, they're great. When they aren't you're in trouble. Since you returned the first one, you are very likely getting a series of RMA'd cards that have been "fixed."

For me, the last card really shows this, as it took your computer completely out of the equation.

At this point, you probably need to call Asus and work your way up the ladder. Worst case, see if you can get one more out of them, throw it on eBay before you even touch it, and go with something else.

 

[denis280]

Agree with ketchup on this,Guest this is just bad gpu again

 

[Charlie98]

Since you returned the first one, you are very likely getting a series of RMA'd cards that have been "fixed.".

That would be my guess... :'(

 

[Z15CAM]

PSU to GPU Cable or connections.

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

Are you using anything to control the fans is so what? Have you check the voltage on the GPU, have you tried to under clock it? Have you tried it in the second PCI-E slot? try different PSU cables if you have more available............Have you removed the GPU used an eraser to clean the gold contacts on the PCI-E slot of the card? In the vidoe it appears to be heat, your not using anything to ramp up the fan? OR monitor the GPU voltages? Afterbunner from MSI get it and use it........

 

[ninaholic37]

edit: Disregard

 

[Stuntz]

PSU to GPU Cable or connections.

Already swapped cables / moved to other pci-e modular ports. Also tested most recent card in another rig. Issues persist.

Are you using anything to control the fans is so what? Have you check the voltage on the GPU, have you tried to under clock it? Have you tried it in the second PCI-E slot? try different PSU cables if you have more available............Have you removed the GPU used an eraser to clean the gold contacts on the PCI-E slot of the card? In the vidoe it appears to be heat, your not using anything to ramp up the fan? OR monitor the GPU voltages? Afterbunner from MSI get it and use it........

Monitor fans/voltage etc through afterburner, brought clock speeds down from factory OC to amd stock (1050/1350 -> 1000/1250). Temps in games never passes low-mid 70's (C)

 

[bononos]

Already swapped cables / moved to other pci-e modular ports. Also tested most recent card in another rig. Issues persist.

Monitor fans/voltage etc through afterburner, brought clock speeds down from factory OC to amd stock (1050/1350 -> 1000/1250). Temps in games never passes low-mid 70's (C)

Could you try marking your cards before returning them to Asus, somewhere inconspicuous just to check if they are returning the same card to you.

 

[Stuntz]

I've been keeping track of the serial numbers on the cards (I'm anal like that so I always keep note of them), they've been different every time.

 

[DrDoug]

I've been keeping track of the serial numbers on the cards (I'm anal like that so I always keep note of them), they've been different every time.

Is the serial number a sticker? If so, that's easily changed. I'm not a conspiracy nut but after what you have been through I would discreetly mark the card just to be sure. The only thing that stands out for me in your testing is that a 270X doesn't have the slot current draw of a 290X but since you've confirmed that the 290X problem still happens in another system I would place the blame on the cards too.