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Please help MSI 7970 Lighting

SubZero89

SubZero89

SubZero89

Associate
Joined
8 Feb 2012
Posts
154
Location
U.K
Hi Guys

I just installed my water cooling kit, everything was OK, leak test etc

However when I went to switch on the pc I got no display from my GPU MSI 7970 Lighting, I've got a EK water block on the GPU as well! don't know if the GPU is looking for a fan signal if you what I mean!

1ST time water cooling, so sorry for my noobness

Thanks in advance!
 
I know the 680 Lightning didn't require a jumper on the fan connector and would expect the same for the 7970. Have you made sure all connectors are plugged in on the MOBO? (incl the 4 or 8 pin connector at the top) and the 2 6/8 pin connectors on the GPU?

Nerves of pressing the button can make us miss these basic things :)
 
Hi yeah everything was plugged in, but I will check again! GPU was working before I put the water block on and I know I've put block on OK so don't know what the problem is!!
all power leads are in, it was like GPU was not getting any power to it! the GPU Reactor was not lit up!
 
No lights = dead

It doesn't need any kind of jumper, also try both sides of the bios switch.

How tight did you clamp the screws around the core? Did you remember to use nylon washers on these screws?
 
Just as tight as you can without over excessive force, make sure to tighten them down evenly and in some sort of order. You don't need to tighten that much that you split or crush the nylon washer.

Follow the instructions carefully, it's relatively hard to make a mistake.
 
pgi947 said:
Just as tight as you can without over excessive force, make sure to tighten them down evenly and in some sort of order. You don't need to tighten that much that you split or crush the nylon washer.

Follow the instructions carefully, it's relatively hard to make a mistake.
Click to expand...

I agree with this.

When I did both mine, I literally held the screw driver like I had a live bird in my hand for tightness (if that makes sense?) and went opposites on doing them up (doing the 4 core screws first). After all screws in, I gave a 1/4 turn on each of the screws just to be safe.
 
The 7970's have a shim around the GPU which makes it pretty hard to put pressure on the core unevenly or crush the core. Hope its OK but it sounds like it may have been damaged. Possibly a short somewhere?
 
It should be pretty hard to do but not impossible :)

My money's on either school boy error (we've all been there) or a short.

You wouldn't believe the amount of times I've forgotten to plug the eps cable back in on rebuild...
 
gregster said:
I agree with this.

When I did both mine, I literally held the screw driver like I had a live bird in my hand for tightness (if that makes sense?) and went opposites on doing them up (doing the 4 core screws first). After all screws in, I gave a 1/4 turn on each of the screws just to be safe.
Click to expand...

I like the "live bird" analogy, Yes you have to handle the whole card like that, Don't plonk it down on a hard table and start screwing away from the other side etc..

There are so many delicate surface mounted components that can be knocked off with a little tap. All you can do is refit the original cooler and test.
 
damn not sounding good bro, have you got another card to try? i would take the block off and check for damage or short on the card if all ok then install block again fire her up and see what happens! i hope for your sake the card is still working :(
i remember when i watercooled a friends pc, while trying to remove stock cooler on a 8800 gtx i ripped off a component from the card! some how managed to solder it back on and got it working!
 
Last edited:
Just as i was considering applying an Accelero cooler to my 7970 a thread like this pops up to remind me to keep myself in check before i break something that ill regret.
 
Cheers for the advice guys, when I put the block on I tighten the screws very gently around the core and the whole block! Tho I did notice lot of themal paste around the circuit board! Can themal paste cause a short! I thought that stuff was non-conductive!

Thanks for help guys anyway, hope its not dead, but it seems that way!
 
Biggest danger is those thermal pads, You just don't want to be pulling at 90deg to the board, very easy to pull the PCB track off.

Just shape a lolly stick into a wedge and leave it gently "springing" the heatsink for 5 mins
 
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