So my GPU just lit on fire

[cbrunny]

while playing the demo of Kingdom of Amalur. ASUS Geforce 9600 GT Silent - mostly just testing how far I could push it. It was holding its own in 1080p. I was actually thinking about buying the game.

Then, out of nowhere, computer goes blackscreen and powers off entirely. Computer won't power on, so I flip the psu off, wait 10 seconds. Flip it back on and push the power button. Through the window in the case I see sparks, smoke, and some small flares (flames?). A transistor has "exploded" and there are burn marks on the PCB near the 6 pin connector.

Needless to say, that card is not going back in my computer. Now I'm rocking a Radeon 6450 HD.

Is this a thing? Does this happen often/semi-often? I'm now reluctant to upgrade if this is a legitimate risk.

And is this a problem with the card itself just being pushed too far/being of low quality, or did the PSU surge? I have a decent psu (700w, Bronze), so I wouldn't expect that to be the problem, but I suppose anything is possible.

 

[nextJin]

You were overclocking a passive heatsink GPU?

 

[notty22]

Here is my xfx 8600gt, 3 of the capacitors popped. Eventually the card stopped working.

A batch of weak , cheap , capacitors were used on a series of cards. Running high temps, can push the situation forward.
There are many stories about capacitors on these series.

edit: You don't hear about problems like this as often now, if ever?

 

[cbrunny]

You were overclocking a passive heatsink GPU?

nope. not at all. by "push it" i meant just trying to see how much detail/framerate i could get.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Typical Nvidia "quality". They buy the cheapest crap caps they can find and use inferior solder to pad the bottom line. Nvidia is so afraid of quality that even the top of the line cards are voltage locked.

 

[lavaheadache]

Typical Nvidia "quality". They buy the cheapest crap caps they can find and use inferior solder to pad the bottom line. Nvidia is so afraid of quality that even the top of the line cards are voltage locked.

Oilfield- I thought you preferred NVidia? What happened?

OP, if you are interested I have an Evga 9600 GT superclocked kicking around here if you want it for cheap.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Oilfield- I thought you preferred NVidia? What happened?

OP, if you are interested I have an Evga 9600 GT superclocked kicking around here if you want it for cheap.

The gouging has really ticked me off.

 

[Rvenger]

Here is my xfx 8600gt, 3 of the capacitors popped. Eventually the card stopped working.

A batch of weak , cheap , capacitors were used on a series of cards. Running high temps, can push the situation forward.
There are many stories about capacitors on these series.

edit: You don't hear about problems like this as often now, if ever?

FZ Sacon Liquid Polymer caps. Had them on my 8500GT and they went boom too.

 

[notty22]

The gouging has really ticked me off.

70% troll. Getting people worked up over nothing entertains me.

Too much time online

 

[Keysplayr]

The gouging has really ticked me off.

So you're an emotional roller poster!! I am so joking!

And what gouging? Titan?

 

[lavaheadache]

The gouging has really ticked me off.

You got it all wrong.... It's Amd's fault that the Titan is the price it is. You should be mad at them. After all, they were the ones that priced the 7970 at a price point which most other generations were priced at. Remember? It is a underwhelming card that is nearly 100% faster at modern games and applicable settings than the previous generation. <== **edit** That was sarcasm


All the drama aside, I hear ya. Unfortunately I'm weak and must have the best regardless of the cost. That's what married life has pushed me into . I can't win with her so I must win with Epeen.

 

[skipsneeky2]

Only have had one card crap out on me since i got into pc gaming in 2006,that was a asus gtx560ti that simply artifacted then failed completely in a good 2 hour period.

Have been always been about nvidia till now,between the issues i had with a gtx670 stuttering and the fact they simply wanna control how far you can push your own damn card,i have been sold on switching over to amd and a proud owner of a TF3 7850.

Used to hate amd cards with a passion mostly cause of their drivers,its crazy how someone can change their mind about things.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

Six years is a good run

 

[cbrunny]

I "wish" it had happened yesterday, before I dropped some coin on a new monitor. Now I am lacking in the funds, yet pining for a 7970GE.

 

[computerbuildin]

So my GPU just lit on fire

 

[notty22]

You got it all wrong.... It's Amd's fault that the Titan is the price it is. You should be mad at them. After all, they were the ones that priced the 7970 at a price point which most other generations were priced at. Remember? It is a underwhelming card that is nearly 100% faster at modern games and applicable settings than the previous generation.

All the drama aside, I hear ya. Unfortunately I'm weak and must have the best regardless of the cost. That's what married life has pushed me into . I can't win with her so I must win with Epeen.

You sound angry.

 

[lavaheadache]

nah, I'm cool. That was all sarcasm. I think the 7970 is awesome and I miss my Lightning.

As far as Titan is concerned, I'm happy with the card. It's definately overpriced but it is what it is. The performance is incredible but I can't help but look in my case and think how that little card in the could be a nice set of rims on my Z

 

[Keysplayr]

nah, I'm cool. That was all sarcasm. I think the 7970 is awesome and I miss my Lightning.

As far as Titan is concerned, I'm happy with the card. It's definately overpriced but it is what it is. The performance is incredible but I can't help but look in my case and think how that little card in the could be a nice set of rims on my Z

The Z comes with nice rims. You're good.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

nah, I'm cool. That was all sarcasm. I think the 7970 is awesome and I miss my Lightning.

As far as Titan is concerned, I'm happy with the card. It's definately overpriced but it is what it is. The performance is incredible but I can't help but look in my case and think how that little card in the could be a nice set of rims on my Z

Don't worry too much. Any rims worth having would set you back a couple grand at least.
As long as you're enjoying it that's all that matters. I'm just becoming a tightwad in my old age (31).

 

[notty22]

I bought rims/tires , two at a time, over the course of a month, because I wanted to pay cash. Had a local dealer, who had no problem doing it this way. Any hobby is not crazy if it's kept in check. On one occasion paid 900 for a transmission over-haul, on another, went racing with a 70 dollar junkyard pull. Live and learn.

 

[Pocatello]

Here is my xfx 8600gt, 3 of the capacitors popped. Eventually the card stopped working.

A batch of weak , cheap , capacitors were used on a series of cards. Running high temps, can push the situation forward.
There are many stories about capacitors on these series.

edit: You don't hear about problems like this as often now, if ever?

I had my xfx 8800 GT for a few years, then the capacitors blew.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Typical Nvidia "quality". They buy the cheapest crap caps they can find and use inferior solder to pad the bottom line. Nvidia is so afraid of quality that even the top of the line cards are voltage locked.

Whats an inferior solder? lol

edit: Pics of the burnt card!

 

[wand3r3r]

Whats an inferior solder? lol

edit: Pics of the burnt card!

Lead free solder, read about nvidias bumpgate. Overheating computers.

Typical Nvidia "quality". They buy the cheapest crap caps they can find and use inferior solder to pad the bottom line. Nvidia is so afraid of quality that even the top of the line cards are voltage locked.

You're going to bring in the wrath of nvidiots and focus members, never mind they are already at it.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

Lead free solder, read about nvidias bumpgate. Overheating computers.



You're going to bring in the wrath of nvidiots and focus members, never mind they are already at it.

Or for a more recent example, look up the only reason AMD is getting mentioned in the Titan super computer. :thumbsup:

 

[wand3r3r]

Or for a more recent example, look up the only reason AMD is getting mentioned in the Titan super computer. :thumbsup:

Do they have more solder problems? Do you have a link to whatever you are referring to?