Video Card Returned, but passed FurMark & 3DMark

[smangular]

This video card is defective. I placed it in my mobo, an Asus M5A78L-M LX PLUS Micro ATX AM3+ with 750 watt power supply- and the computer posted without issue. However as soon as I ran a 3D application such as a video game, the card started making a loud clicking sound, and emitting the smell of burning plastic. I would like to return it before it causes damage to my system, or to my health.

EBay buyer returned the card I sold HD7970. It passed FurMark 1080p for 30+ min both before and after sale. I also ran 3DMark Fire Strike and Cloud Diver benchmarking without issues.

Update: Ran FurMark now for an hour and still looks good. Inspected everywhere especially the PCIe connectors.

Anything else you would test?

 

[EightySix Four]

EBay buyer returned the card I sold HD7970. It passed FurMark 1080p for 30+ min both before and after sale. I also ran 3DMark Fire Strike and Cloud Diver benchmarking without issues.

Anything else you would test?

Sounds like something else in his system was on its way out if it tests fine in yours. I would do a pretty thorough inspection for any burn marks and then try again.

 

[lavaheadache]

I would test your desire to sell on ebay. I would only use it as a last resort. Selling on the forums or locally is probably a better bet.

 

[smangular]

Sounds like something else in his system was on its way out if it tests fine in yours. I would do a pretty thorough inspection for any burn marks and then try again.

Yeah that was my initial reaction. I love his quote "I would like to return it before it causes damage to my system, or to my health."

I could not find anything at all on the Video Card although I did not remove the HSF. The Power Connector looks perfect.

 

[bzb_Elder]

making a loud clicking sound, and emitting the smell of burning plastic

If the EBay buyer did in fact experience this, a cable in the cooling fan(s) is about all I can think of that might cause it. Any marks on the fans that you can see?

 

[titanicdave]

Could be his system had other problems that showed up when it was pushed. Sounds like a PSU problem. Clicking noise could be caused by something arcing in the PSU, which would cause the smell too.
Anyway, if the card doesn't smell of burnt components its probably fine.

 

[Cerb]

I immediately thought, "his PSU is junk, or failing from age." Not really worth trying to push it back on the buyer, IMO, so long as they aren't negatively rating you over it. A loud clicking sound could very well be a capacitor releasing its smoke...

 

[JeffMD]

The only thing the buyer experienced was remorse.