Help! GFX just went bang! Found green liquid on mobo...

[Tunnix]

Hi guys,

Turned on my PC this evening after being off for around 36 hours and my GTX 970 popped and sparked as soon as I hit the on switch. Immediately switched off and on inspection found a fair amount of green / translucent liquid running all along the pin connectors. After removing the GFX card (which I presume is now dead?) I noticed the same liquid in and around the card slot too. I've dabbed up as much as I can, but have no idea what this is, how it got here, if it's likely to be safe to plug a new GFX card in....

I'm sure the mobo has a lifetime warranty, although I'd imagine it won't cover my now fried GFX card, even if it was the cause?

Any advice would be VERY much appreciated.

Photos attached, but just let me know if you need any further info.

 

[Tunnix]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the responses so far. I think you might be right - It's water cooled and having just checked the heatsink, I've found this:

It looks like this is the cause then! How does something like that happen?

Is it a fault or just something that can happen over time?

Given the pop, does this still likely mean the mobo socket is dead too?

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Tunnix]

Gutted...

The whole setup was purchased at the same time, 4.5 years ago.

Anything I can do?

 

[Tunnix]

Just looking through those links you sent @Hotwired - It looks like it should be under warranty still (purchased from OCUK in Nov 2014), and Silverstone state that in Europe the TD02 has a 5 years warranty. It also looks like they say they'll cover damage to components resulting from faulty production - so perhaps there is hope?! Although not sure how I'd go about starting this process... Their website only has a standard RMA form and no email address or contact number for Europe - just a postal address in Germany.

Not had any experience with returns before - it it likely to be something OCUK will deal with?

Thanks again

 

[Tunnix]

*UPDATE*

Just in case anyone is interested - @Hotwired was right - The TD02 comes with a 5 years warranty that covers any additional components that die as a result of a fault. I got in touch with SilverStone, who checked the pics and then sent me a prepaid label and asked me to send the TD02, my GFX card and my mobo off to them in Germany. Sent it out 3pm on Friday from the UK, and had an email today (Monday) to confirm they had received it and were going to issue me a refund for all three components! RESULT! Thanks again for all of your help!

Now just to figure out what the current equivalent of my deceased 970 is.... Any suggestions?

 

[Tunnix]

Yup - Just to confirm as an update, Silverstone refunded me in cash, the cost of the TD02, my Mobo and GFX card at the price paid 4.9 years ago!

Result!