Advice with graphics card's PCIe socket short circuit

[Trofeo]

My trusty XFX nvidia 9800gtx+ black has suddenly died with a dead short across the PCIe power connectors, I suspect it could be a simple ish fix eg replace a failed capacitor. The card was working and suddenly failed after loading dirt 3. Anyone have any experience or advice with graphics card's on board power supplies? Thanks.

 

[CinderzFTW]

Time for an upgrade don't you think?

 

[Trofeo]

It's not my main machine anymore, that has a watercooled EVGA 570

 

[CinderzFTW]

oh right, well I would still opt to replace it...

 

[Trofeo]

I guess its the handyman in me I have nothing to loose attempting to fix it if it's going in the bin otherwise anyway. Old as it is it still performs decent enough, for a second machine anyway, + I hate when things that cost £000s break after only a few years >_<

 

[Trofeo]

dead nvidia gpu chip game over

Applied 12v limited to 1 amp, as you can see in the thermal image the nvidia chip it self is getting warm, if there was a short in another component the power wouldn't make it as far as the chip.

 

[CinderzFTW]

Well as you have to get a total new card here are my opinions on what you should get!

Budget MAX £200 I gather, but I will give you cheaper cards too

£100-150

ATI: 6850 £109-120 (Budget Card)
ATI: 6870 £130-160 (Great gamers card for the money - Spend around £140-150 on one mind)
Nvidia: GTX550Ti £95-155 (POOR CARD DON'T BOTHER!)
Nvidia: GTX560 £143-149 (Nice card, can be OC'd to 560Ti standards - Poor for the money

£150-200

ATI: 6950 £194-240 (AWESOME CARD!)
Nvidia: GTX560Ti £175-254 (Get a great one for around £180, don't spend more than 200 on one)

 

[pieman109]

Get another 9800gtx or suchlike to replace it with. If that level of performance fits your requirements and suits the rest of the rig, why pay more and you can get virtually like for like replacements here in the "refurb section" in the nvidia graphics cards section.
Whats the spec of the pc the 9800gtx black was being used in?

 

[Avathar77]

I am more interested in knowing how you took a thermal image?

 

[N00bbuilder79]

dead nvidia gpu chip game over

Applied 12v limited to 1 amp, as you can see in the thermal image the nvidia chip it self is getting warm, if there was a short in another component the power wouldn't make it as far as the chip.

It would if the path to earth due to the short was through the chip.

 

[Jakus]

My trusty XFX nvidia 9800gtx+ black has suddenly died with a dead short across the PCIe power connectors, I suspect it could be a simple ish fix eg replace a failed capacitor. The card was working and suddenly failed after loading dirt 3. Anyone have any experience or advice with graphics card's on board power supplies? Thanks.

I'm assuming the PSU over current tripped, You will have to trace the board from the power connector, maybe just test around the regulation circuitry will be easier...I'm sure You will find something burnt, but I would say blown components tend to fail open circuit.

Interesting thermal image, Great thinking outside the box but without the "addon" that puts an arrow where the problem is it may lead You up the garden path a bit
Don't forget Power is also drawn from the PCIX Slot, I think 4-5 amps.

Good luck, it's good to see someone prepared to get stuck in.

 

[Trofeo]

Thanks for all the replies guys

Well as you have to get a total new card here are my opinions on what you should get!
.............
Nvidia: GTX560Ti £175-254 (Get a great one for around £180, don't spend more than 200 on one)

Thanks for the suggestions, it's looking like this one http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-267-AS&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1341

Get another 9800gtx or suchlike to replace it with. If that level of performance fits your requirements and suits the rest of the rig, why pay more and you can get virtually like for like replacements here in the "refurb section" in the nvidia graphics cards section.
Whats the spec of the pc the 9800gtx black was being used in?

I'm wanting a good warranty after this experience 3 year minimum, those are great prices though so I guess it wouldn't matter so much if it didn't last as long. specs: intel q6750, corsair 4GB, Asus PQ5L-E

I'm assuming the PSU over current tripped, You will have to trace the board from the power connector, maybe just test around the regulation circuitry will be easier...I'm sure You will find something burnt, but I would say blown components tend to fail open circuit.

Interesting thermal image, Great thinking outside the box but without the "addon" that puts an arrow where the problem is it may lead You up the garden path a bit
Don't forget Power is also drawn from the PCIX Slot, I think 4-5 amps.

Good luck, it's good to see someone prepared to get stuck in.

Yep the PSU was shutting off to protect it self. There are no nasty smells burnt or melted components. The 'arrow' at the left edge is 2 clips on the ends of the wires from the bench power supply connected to a PCIe power connector.

 

[Trofeo]

I am more interested in knowing how you took a thermal image?

I know someone that works for control techniques in R&D it looks just like a regular consumer handheld camcorder, but cost 10 grand apparently