[Advice] Replace GPU???

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dryburn

429 posts

Ultimate Geek

#242516 1-Nov-2018 14:40

Hi Geekzoners,

Background:

I have a AMD Radeon HD 6950 that came with a PC purchased from a previous colleague last year. I know it's old...

The kids use it for homework and Minecraft and I use if for some light gaming and browsing.

Issue:

The Fan of GPU started running at full speed and become unusable due it's noise. I have tried re-seating, running different OS, apps that control fan speed etc without any luck. I have since removed the GPU and opened it up to find that the heatsink paste is dry and some thermal pads are damaged.

Question:

Should I look at replacing the thermal pads and heatsink paste or should I just purchase another GPU?

I don't really want to buy another GPU as the PC isn't a "gamers" PC but need a functional GPU

Thanks for your help

gcorgnet

1075 posts

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#2117901 1-Nov-2018 15:01

Does it though? What's the CPU? Does it not come with a half decent integrated GPU?

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SpartanVXL

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#2117903 1-Nov-2018 15:02

I'm assuming the GPU was working correctly, just that the fan was at 100% and unbearable? Two reasons why it would do that 1. GPU was getting too hot (looks at temperature in MSI Afterburner) or 2. fan controller is malfunctioning.

If #1 then a GPU repaste and pads would cost maybe $15~ and some time. If #2 you could buy an aftermarket gpu cooler, but at this rate you might as well invest that in a new budget gpu for the kids.

dryburn

429 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2117904 1-Nov-2018 15:03

Browsing and homework needs are met but ca't run minecraft

Batman

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#2117972 1-Nov-2018 16:14

Try thermal paste. If no success buy second hand gpu.

Lias

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#2118163 1-Nov-2018 22:55

Thermal paste is substantially cheaper than even the cheapest new GPU, so I'd give it a whirl.

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dryburn

429 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2120941 6-Nov-2018 16:10

I've tried the thermal pads still running at full speed.

Looks like I'm on the hunt for a decent priced GPU

SpartanVXL

1237 posts

Uber Geek

#2120961 6-Nov-2018 16:31

I found some old threads from about 5 years ago, seems it was a somewhat common occurrence with the 69xx cards.

The temperature sensors would get damaged from either age or sustained high temps and report incorrectly. This is why the fans are set to 100% all the time and your unable to force change the setting. It thinks its overheating all the time.

I'm not sure how you'd go about repairing the sensors, or whether its worth it on such an old card. A solution was to unplug the fan cables from the gpu and attach an adapter to plug them into the motherboard, controlling it through the mobo.

Batman

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#2120992 6-Nov-2018 17:27

SpartanVXL: I found some old threads from about 5 years ago, seems it was a somewhat common occurrence with the 69xx cards. The temperature sensors would get damaged from either age or sustained high temps and report incorrectly. This is why the fans are set to 100% all the time and your unable to force change the setting. It thinks its overheating all the time. I'm not sure how you'd go about repairing the sensors, or whether its worth it on such an old card. A solution was to unplug the fan cables from the gpu and attach an adapter to plug them into the motherboard, controlling it through the mobo.

this will likely not work and lead to PC freezing whenever GPU overheats, usually when you're doing something exciting

Zeon

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#2120995 6-Nov-2018 17:42

Sounds like a broken temperature sensor. What voltages does the fan run at usually I wonder? You could try plugging into a spare 5v from within the case rather than onto the board. If it gets too hot it could artifact I guess but considering how old it is could be a decent enough workaround with not too much to lose if it doesn't work.

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toejam316

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#2121101 6-Nov-2018 19:21

How much is your time worth to you?
If you want the quick fix, go pick up a used 750 ti - it'll cost you around $100, and give you the same performance for less power and noise.

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.