Gainward GeForce RTX 4090 Phantom Fan Rattle

[kostuch999]

Hi all

I don't use forums much but I could not find any recent post about my problem. Also apologies if its incorrect thread.
My Gainward GeForce RTX 4090 Phantom has recently developed an issue where fan no 1 out of 3 (near to the DP ports etc) developed a rattle/buzzing/weird noise that is now noticeable even over the headphones. I'm not a technical expert but I think its a ball bearing issue. The other 2 fans spin without any issue even when I blow some air at them, the faulty one has some sort of resistance to it and I can feel it when I spin the fan with my finger. The cooler itself is fairly noisy as it's not the quietest of the cards despite its 5 star reviews however I only noticed this issues recently and its definitely a new noise that was not present earlier. I'm not sure if its related but I had couple of game crashes too.

From what I read, the warranties are handled by the OCUK, I got the card in June 2023. I noticed the card model is still in stock on the website.

My question is has anyone recently gone through a warranty with OCUK for a GPU and how did your process go? Did you get a replacement card "like for like" model, or another manufacturer or did you get a B grade card as I have read some people were offered them instead. I know 4090s are being slowly withdrawn from the sale due to 5000 series arrival.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[kostuch999]

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Thanks, I've read the Gainward page already and it says this:

"Gainward product warranty policy varies from different countries and distributor’s conditions. The warranty only covers the defects of hardware components under normal usage, and will be void if either the serial number stickers or the circle stickers are removed from on the backside of the product.
Warranty Process
Product warranty is managed by authorized distributors. Please check the return procedure with the local authorized distributors, or the original store you purchased the product from. You can find the authorized distributors from “where to buy".

My question really is if anyone has gone through the warranty experience for a GPU, especially RTX 4090.

 

[kostuch999]

Does it really matter what others experience has been?
You really need to contact OCUK and get the ball rolling, they don't bite and are super helpful.
But for what its worth, I returned a Zotac 4090 and they couldn't have handled it better.

That's what forums are for I guess to ask questions. I've read some older posts from this year where people were offered B grade replacement with short limited warranty of 90 days so I'm just curious as its not a cheap piece of hardware. I've gone through RMA before but not for GPU warranty.

 

[kostuch999]

Well, unless you contact them you'll never know, will

Again, doesn't mean I can't be curious about other people experiences...

 

[kostuch999]

I haven't seen anyone mention their RMA of a Gainward on the forums, they're a rare(ish) brand in the UK and if you got it from OCUK they're handled by OCUK anyway.

If you have problems I'd mention it to Gibbo, since GPUs are Gibbo's domain.

Thanks, I've put the RMA for it via web ticket. Yeah that's what I found about the brand, I think they belong to the same company that owns Palit. Their general support section is limited on their website. Oddly OCUK does not even figure on their website as retailer in UK, either not updated or no 50 series will be for sale here from them, who knowns. Friend had 30 series from them and it worked well but their warranty is only 2 years while other brans do 3 I've noticed. I did find reddit with same issue as mine so hopefully it either will be easy fix or quick replacement.