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R.I.P. XFX 4870X2 :(

CK61938

CK61938

CK61938

Soldato
Joined
31 Jan 2009
Posts
3,219
Location
Newcastle Upon Tyne
As the title says.

A few weeks ago, I noticed my card was displaying an array of colours on screen during POST. Once it got into Windows though, it was fine and I could play games but at times they would crash.

Initially I thought it was the fact I updated the drivers from 10.4 to 10.6. This wasnt the case as the same thing happened after going back to 10.4 and even going back to 10.1.

As it is liquid cooled, I thought maybe it needed a clean out (it was due one anyway). So I cleaned the block and (after buying new thermal paste from OcUK this week), put it back together.

It began working fine yesterday and I was gaming for a fair bit. Until today...in the middle of playing Batman Arkham Asylum GOTYE for a good 30min when the machine just halted and my screen went blank.

Rebooted and it kept on blanking before entering Windows. I could tell it was artifacting cos when I went into the BIOS, I could clearly see the dots.

Cue reinstalling of Windows (7 HP) and thinking this will solve the issue. It didn't. One last throw of the dice was update the BIOS on my mobo (ASUS P6T Deluxe V2) again no joy.

I've since put an older card in (ATI Sapphire HD2600XT :() and it works fine.

I can't RMA it cos I've taken the stock cooler off and have also misplaced the screws for it. Not to mention I don't have the right thermal pads to put on for the VRAM.

So I can sadly say my 4870X2 has now had it's fun, it's an absolute shame cos I loved the card. I guess I could sell it elsewhere as faulty.

Unless someone can tell me if it can be RMA'd? lol.

Thanks guys.
 
yeah how does that work exactly? and I just realised I cannot RMA it cos there are no 4870X2's available lol...crackers.
 
Unlucky its a shame these duel gpu cards don't last as long as single gpu cards but least you can get a new card hehe.
 
What waterblock did you use? My EK block bent the card over time. This meant occasionaly the screen would go blank. Im assuming the bending meant poor heat contact and overheating. I used a plastic rod to keep it up and the problem seems to be solved.

In my opinion 4870 x2's are quite resiliant. Had mine for over 2 years now and its been dropped, spilt fluid over, short circuited. Cleaning off the fluid the card still works.
 
lol buy some screws that fit from local hard ware shop, or look on line google m1.6 screws and u will find some

stick on some heat pads dont have to be the same ones and fit old cooler dont mention watercooling and send it for rma

it will get sent to manufacturer they will just test it not take it apart they will send u a replacment 4870 x2 and if u lucky u will get a nice new 5870 like i did

and if not some idiot on the bay will buy it
 
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momo56 said:
What waterblock did you use? My EK block bent the card over time. This meant occasionaly the screen would go blank. Im assuming the bending meant poor heat contact and overheating. I used a plastic rod to keep it up and the problem seems to be solved.

In my opinion 4870 x2's are quite resiliant. Had mine for over 2 years now and its been dropped, spilt fluid over, short circuited. Cleaning off the fluid the card still works.
Click to expand...

Mine is an XSPC block. The card is still straight, but then again when it's in the case it could be a different matter altogether. Thank you :)
 
hlennie said:
lol buy some screws that fit from local hard ware shop, or look on line google m1.6 screws and u will find some

stick on some heat pads dont have to be the same ones and fit old cooler dont mention watercooling and send it for rma

it will get sent to manufacturer they will just test it not take it apart they will send u a replacment 4870 x2 and if u lucky u will get a nice new 5870 like i did

and if not some idiot on the bay will buy it
Click to expand...

Well to be honest I have bags of screws, it'll just be a case of finding the ones that fit. As for heat pads, I've tried looking but everywhere is sold out lol. But I will try other methods first. Bearing in mind I bought said card from OcUK so if they're reading this, the jigs up lol :p
 
what is with the 4870X2 had a mate that had this card fail .. if you search there is loads failing :confused: i no they run dam hot though, but the odd few are still here , unless it is down to tim used on certain cards.. as i no one that is still going strong ..odd
 
REAPERUK said:
what is with the 4870X2 had a mate that had this card fail .. if you search there is loads failing :confused: i no they run dam hot though, but the odd few are still here , unless it is down to tim used on certain cards.. as i no one that is still going strong ..odd
Click to expand...

You think this is bad, someone's 5970 has died on them. They tried the oven trick and it didn't save it. Nor did it save my 4870X2.

I'm going to try again tonight this time at 200 for 10min. If that don't do it, then it's getting sold.

I guess that's what you get for buying an expensive card lol :p
 
Just an update, I've decided not to bake it again. Instead I've sent a trouble ticket to XFX and I am awaiting their reply. Haven't mentioned the fact it's been watercooled, baked and other stuff lol. So let's see what happens. :)
 
Wow, there really is a flurry of dying 4870x2's at the moment isn't there. Mine went teets up a few months ago. Was 18 months old and unmodded so RMA'd it. After a bit of hooha I eventually got 2x 5700's as a replacement, both up and running ace in xfire now so all in all I'm happy with the replacement.

My 4870x2 never overheated though (was quite anal about monitoring it, fan profiles etc) and I never overclocked it. I think the ram used on them is possibly the weak link?
 
I've recently bought a Sapphire 4870X2 off the bay. A risk I know, but I only wanted a cheap, powerful card to tide me over for BFBC 2 til the next series comes out. It seems to be still running strong *frantically touches wood* and the seller ensured me it had been well treated (not oc'd) and to let him know if I have any problems on receipt. My case sounds like a vacuum cleaner anyway so leaving the fan at 40% means i can't hear it and gives me 43c idle and around 65c at load in the games i play (stock cooler, no oc, 27c room temp). Pretty damn happy so far!
 
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Well so much for trying via XFX. They've told me to go to the reseller which are of course OcUK. Fingers crossed eh.
 
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