Graphics New Sapphire Xtream series, PCB bends !!!

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by ssenginss, 27 Apr 2011.

  1. ssenginss

    ssenginss What's a Dremel?

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    When I first handle my new Sapphire Xtream 5850, I noticed the card is very flexible and weak.
    The cooler is mounted to PCB with only 4 screws around the GPU. Cooler cover is such weak
    that it can not support PCB mechanicaly. Eventually after I mounted the card it bended slightly
    as I expected.

    I tend to send it back.
     
    ssenginss, 27 Apr 2011
    #1
  2. Ph4ZeD

    Ph4ZeD What's a Dremel?

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    Why are you going to send it back?
     
    Ph4ZeD, 27 Apr 2011
    #2
  3. noizdaemon666

    noizdaemon666 I'm Od, Therefore I Pwn

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    Unless it affects performance or breaks in half, I wouldn't bother sending it back.
     
    noizdaemon666, 27 Apr 2011
    #3
  4. GeorgeStorm

    GeorgeStorm Aggressive PC Builder

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    Most cards can bend, especially over time
    I'm confused why you are sending it back? Does it affect performance at all? If It's purely cosmetic the RMA will get refused.
     
    GeorgeStorm, 27 Apr 2011
    #4
  5. chris66

    chris66 Minimodder

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    Some motherboards can look like bananas from a side view - so I am not surprised that some GPU's look the same, especially if they haven't got the full length casing attached.
     
    chris66, 27 Apr 2011
    #5
  6. azrael-

    azrael- I'm special...

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    I'd expect this kind of behaviour from one of their Flex series... :p
     
    azrael-, 27 Apr 2011
    #6
  7. ssenginss

    ssenginss What's a Dremel?

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    Well, I am not used to see a graphics card bended like that, I quickly though that bended
    shape would cause some problems over time as total weight is only carried by PCB.

    I checked the card and it's performance is OK. If bending is normal for some components and
    does not cause performance problems ( that is the point I do not know ) I agree that RMA is not necessary. So what is your opinion ?
     
    ssenginss, 27 Apr 2011
    #7
  8. GeorgeStorm

    GeorgeStorm Aggressive PC Builder

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    A pic would be helpful, to see how much it's bending.
     
    GeorgeStorm, 27 Apr 2011
    #8
  9. Tangster

    Tangster Butt-kicking for goodness!

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    Get a support bracket? Not sure where to buy one, but you could make one out of some aluminium.
     
    Tangster, 27 Apr 2011
    #9
  10. faugusztin

    faugusztin I *am* the guy with two left hands

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    Bending... Yeah, that is brand new thing, my HD4850 had nothing like that :D :
    [​IMG]

    Anyway - anything longer than the PCI-E slot tends to bend, especially if we talk about cards with heavy coolers.

    For example, ever heard of pencil mod (not my picture, but you get the idea) ? :naughty:
    [​IMG]
     
    faugusztin, 27 Apr 2011
    #10
  11. Ljs

    Ljs Modder

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    I fail to see what the pencil mod has to do with a bending pcb?
     
    Ljs, 27 Apr 2011
    #11
  12. faugusztin

    faugusztin I *am* the guy with two left hands

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    Look at the picture. In front of the hard drives. How would you call it ? Pencil support ?
     
    faugusztin, 27 Apr 2011
    #12
  13. Ljs

    Ljs Modder

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    Ahaha! I see...

    I thought you meant the other pencil mod (lowering resistance to up voltages on things)!!

    Apologies. Can't believe I didn't notice the pencil... :/
     
    Ljs, 27 Apr 2011
    #13
  14. Fizzban

    Fizzban Man of Many Typos

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    I didn't either..hahaha
     
    Fizzban, 27 Apr 2011
    #14
  15. Guest-23315

    Guest-23315 Guest

    I wouldn't be worried. My WC'd GPU is bowing an awful lot more than your card and it still runs fine after 3 years.

    You could try and move how the PCI-E power cable goes to the GPU so it pulls slightly on the connector, lifting the tail of the card, or could invest in something like this if you're really worried (I wouldn't bother)
     
    Guest-23315, 27 Apr 2011
    #15
  16. N17 dizzi

    N17 dizzi Multimodder

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    your graphics card is a bender...
     
    N17 dizzi, 27 Apr 2011
    #16
  17. IvanIvanovich

    IvanIvanovich будет глотать вашу душу.

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    with the way pcbs are going for gpu, soon it will look like 2 motherboards attached to each other. i've noticed more cases recently that include card support, and of course as mentioned its not too difficult to make your own supports with alu or plexi. backplates are another option if they are available, or make your own to add some rigidness.
     
    IvanIvanovich, 27 Apr 2011
    #17
  18. ssenginss

    ssenginss What's a Dremel?

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    Reading all the replies I dediced to support tail of the graphics card with a simple wooden spacer and not to worry about it anymore.

    Thank you all. :thumb:
     
    ssenginss, 28 Apr 2011
    #18

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