So I boot up Fallout 4 and to my horror...

[Shinobi026]

Sparks come flying out from 1 of my 2 980s and my system shuts down. I jump under the desk and hit the power on my surge strip and then stare at my PC for a few mins. What the hell just happened??

Out of stupidity I turn the system back on with both cards sat in the same place to find (to my amazement) that they both are still working and reporting in device manager, even though the problem card makes a pop noise when I press the power on.

I don't want to try the card again as the sparks and popping noise sounded fatal last time and I have since removed it and put GPU 2 in the primary slot. It seems quite happy running Fallout so I think the PC itself is ok.

Have I been really unlucky here and got a very dodgy 980? Is this more common than I once thought? Have any of you ever experienced anything like this? I'm so disappointed as I put so much love and care into building this rig and I don't think I could have done a better job, yet i'm running into an issue like this, and on Fallout day. Sigh. I will add that it is a GIGABYTE Wind-force model.

Would like to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks.

EDIT: I built the rig almost 6 months ago and have had no issues up to now. The case has not even been opened since then.

 

[Shinobi026]

No scorch marks or any sign of damage anywhere, i'll add there was no burning smell either, just some fireworks and an abrupt end to my Fallout session

I think the cabling was fine, card number 2 seems fine using the same connectors after some stress testing.

It was hard to tell where the sparks came from exactly as it was all over so fast, roughly in the middle of the GPU facing the case window, maybe more towards the back where the external outputs are.

I do have a Corsair H80i running above the cards but I have thoroughly checked for any sign of a leak and it all seems ok.

Really appreciate all the replies, thanks.

.. and yes I've began the RMA process.

 

[Shinobi026]

don't be scared, i've been building systems for years, its easier than ever now, this is honestly the first major issue i've ever had.

yup, the cards have only had rocket league to worry about the last few months (i've been playing a lot of Destiny on console) I think when the cards are near max load is when the issue happens.

really appreciate all the responses, feel a little better about the situation now.

 

[Shinobi026]

Indeed, it always amazes me this, why the **** does everyone just turn their machines back on when something blows up

i honestly cannot answer you...

 

[Shinobi026]

Yeah, get it RMAed. With Gigabyte having UK returns, you should get it sorted pretty fast. Sparks are not good and I would concur that something has spectacularly failed.

At least you still have a card because you were running 2 in SLI.

agreed - although i'm impressed the card still works - thanks something at least?

 

[Shinobi026]

So, the card has been back to OC and they have found no issues. I'm abit stumped. Not sure if to pop the card back in after some re-cabling and try again. Card no.2 has been quite happy on its own with my Fallout play through. If the card does go back in, I will set my iphone on a slo mo record to capture sparks and hopefully the source of the problem and share with you guys also. I can't think of anything else apart from trying a new power supply....

 

[Shinobi026]

I don't think the h80i is to blame as the PC is 100% ok running a single GPU. Going to fire her up tonight and see what happens as i'm out of ideas without spending money.

 

[Shinobi026]

thanks murah, you might be on to something you know. i did notice some very small webs at the back of my desk fairly near the case. if thats what it was, he definitely went out with a bang! yeah i'll get some heaven and vally going in a mo, fingers crossed. again appreciate the help from everyone.

 

[Shinobi026]

@martian1 - XFX 1050W, i figured this may be a power supply issue but the pop seemed to come from the card not the supply unit, not sure if this is what you meant.

anyways, i put the 2nd card back in last night, the cards have swapped PCI slots since the issue, ran firestrike 4k for about an hour last night (no longer as had to go to bed as had a 6am start today) and also had my iphone recording the board just in case, but all seems to be ok!

need to use it for a few weeks to be sure but it seems like im in the clear, maybe this was some kind of mis adventuring bug after all?!