GTX 980 Fan failed. Replace fan or replace GPU?

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222 posts

Master Geek

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#271757 26-May-2020 09:54

So a fan has given up the ghost on my second hand Gigabyte GTX 980 G1. Wanted to get people thoughts if its worth trying to source a replacement fan or just replacing the GPU.

I haven't looked at Graphics cards in a while and I see there a quite a few models out now. The main games I am playing are Dota 2 and Borderlands 3.

Are there any cards you guys would recommend? I think the budget will stretch to $700

Cheers

SpartanVXL

1275 posts

Uber Geek

#2491635 26-May-2020 10:50

If you free-spin the fan with your hand does it still rotate freely? If it’s stiff then theres probably gunk in the bearing (MSI cards usually). If you feel up to it you can disassemble the fan and clean it out.

Otherwise find a spare 120mm case fan and strap it over the failed fan with zipties, set it at a reasonable speed (or if your bios lets you, match gpu temp to speed) and call it a day.

You might find some decent deals on 10xx series in 4 months or so due to new gen cards coming out.

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222 posts

Master Geek

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#2491663 26-May-2020 11:18

Its pretty lumpy when spin by hand so I'd say the bearing has failed rather than gunked up. This looks to cause the GPU to go into protection mode and spin the other 2 fans at 100% so its rather loud. Can you plug a case fan into the fan output on the card?

Wakrak

1708 posts

Uber Geek

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#2491719 26-May-2020 12:12

The GPU market is a bit overpriced at the moment. Sold a card i bought 2 years ago for $20 more than what I got it for.

Don't know much about fixing gpus, but would be a fun exercise figuring out and fixing the issue.

Could pick up a decent secondhand 1070 for under $400.

Apsattv

2380 posts

Uber Geek

#2491743 26-May-2020 12:41

I run a Gigabyte 980 GTX windforce tripple fan version. It runs near 24x7 at %95 load usage, 70C running folding@home with my gpu fans a nice quiet %52

You could run GPUZ and see what the temps and fan speed are like. Since you have 2 fans running at %100? you may have a heating issue with the gpu itself ? in which case reapplying thermal paste is always a basic trouble shoot fix.

You could run msi afterburner and play with the fan curve or crank them all to the max after giving a squirt of oil to the 3rd fan. Of course another option could be a fan replacement kit

https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-GV-N98TG1-GAMING-6GD-gtx980ti-Graphics/dp/B073W6N1SB

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222 posts

Master Geek

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#2491747 26-May-2020 12:56

Apsattv:

I run a Gigabyte 980 GTX windforce tripple fan version. It runs near 24x7 at %95 load usage, 70C running folding@home with my gpu fans a nice quiet %52

You could run GPUZ and see what the temps and fan speed are like. Since you have 2 fans running at %100? you may have a heating issue with the gpu itself ? in which case reapplying thermal paste is always a basic trouble shoot fix.

You could run msi afterburner and play with the fan curve or crank them all to the max after giving a squirt of oil to the 3rd fan. Of course another option could be a fan replacement kit

https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-GV-N98TG1-GAMING-6GD-gtx980ti-Graphics/dp/B073W6N1SB

I installed Afterburner and it is showing the fans running at 12% and the gpu temp at 30c. It looks like they are all wired together and only show as 1 fan. I have tried manually setting the fan speed but it makes no difference. I found a forum post saying that if the card detects one of the fans has failed it will turn the other fans up to 100%. Im guessing what is happening the failing fan isnt reporting the speed correctly and the GPU is trying to compensate by setting the PWM to 100%

I have managed to borrow a 1660 from a family member who isnt using it currently and will look to buy a new card when the new ones come out later this year.

Apsattv

2380 posts

Uber Geek

#2491762 26-May-2020 13:37

You need to actually run something like the Standard Heaven benchmark thats actively using your gpu flatout

https://benchmark.unigine.com/heaven

and cpuid hardware monitor to log your temps. and see what your fans are doing

https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html

the gpu temps important mine running max with all 3 fans @50% fan speed and %98 gpu load is steady at 70C

see what you get?

GoranZ

400 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#2491821 26-May-2020 14:03

GTX980 is still a solid card and you can get fans for under $10 from AliExpress .. I speak from very recient experience .. I got my Gigabyte Windforce (3 Fans) GTX1070 2nd hand for $360 this time last year and I see them selling for $450+ on Trademe ..

I'd keep using it till GPU market settles down post COVID either with just one fan or ask around for a fan.

Wise

Send money globally for less with Wise - one free transfer up to NZ$900 (affiliate link).

tripper1000

1609 posts

Uber Geek

#2491824 26-May-2020 14:09

Unless you are looking for an excuse to replace the GPU, then replacement fans are a lot cheaper than a replacement GPU at around NZD$20

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32856664858.html

Edit: correcting the spelling of NZ!

SpartanVXL

1275 posts

Uber Geek

#2491890 26-May-2020 14:57

You’d be surprised, some manufacturers use fans that are put together with glue holding bits together. This glue ages/melts and bits of it falls in and sticks to the bearing gunking it up.

As others have said, if you can manage to get shipping in the current times then replacement fans are pretty easy to come by. Otherwise if you’re curious you can give a go at taking the fan apart.