XFX R9 290: Screen goes black after bootup, lots of weird artifacts on screen

elitherabbit · Aug 2, 2014

Preface: I got this XFX R9 290 with stock cooler a couple weeks ago. Works fine, never got above 90 Celsius, etc.

I bought an NZXT G10 and a Corsair H50 to replace the blowdryer that is my stock cooler. Installed fine, computer booted up great, played all of day before yesterday and yesterday at low temps (even got VRM heatsinks that keep it below 70 C.

This morning I took off the cooler to move the tubes and change where the radiator is. But now, either I get a black screen after the "Starting Windows" screen, or I see my desktop fine and everything works for a couple minutes before getting really weird artifacts and my screen turns off. Here are some pictures of the artifacts:

I know that it isn't the temperature, because when I'm able to get into windows the CPU temp is 35C, GPU is around 45C and VRM isn't higher than 60C. The thing is though, in safe mode I have 0 problems. I can browse around facebook for half an hour and nothing happens. But when I boot into Windows normally, it takes a few minutes just sitting at the desktop to get weird lines, then whole screen gets artifacts like in the picture, then a black screen till I reboot.

Specs:
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Rampart/saved/YxDxFT

The only parts that aren't in there are the NZXT G10 and the Corsair H50 which I'm using to cool the R9 290.

Any help is much appreciated!

i7Baby · Aug 2, 2014

So you took the cooler off and now its running at 45C?

Try it with the cooler on.

Alex Kelly · Aug 2, 2014

Try removing the drivers in safe mode, and reinstalling them. If this doesn't work, try again with slightly older drivers.
If you have problems with that, the card must have an issue itself.

elitherabbit · Aug 3, 2014

i7Baby :

Alex Kelly :

Alrighty... So I I took off the cooler, cleaned everything with rubbing alcohol, and put the water cooler back on. Now, I can't even get past the "Starting Windows" screen, with weird blue bars on the side of my screen and weird tearing/artifacts. I took everything off, cleaned with alcohol, and put the stock cooler back on and no dice, same problem. Safe mode has these weird blue lines going through the screen...

I think I'm just going to RMA it, I'm pretty sure that whatever's wrong with it isn't software, nor something that I can fix.

i7Baby · Aug 3, 2014

You'll have to buy another card. It's not in warranty once you pull the cooler off. I'd just stick with the air cooler it comes with.

Try http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125500

Alex Kelly · Aug 3, 2014

Agreed. You must have damaged the card taking the cooler off, or it's just gone bad by itself.
The warranty if void, unfortunately.

You might want to go with a GTX 770 or 780 if you want a card that runs cool and quiet.
The Gigabyte 290 still gets near 90C, and it's pretty loud under load.

I'd suggest a Sapphire Tri-X 290 if you want another 290, as it runs much cooler than any other brands cooling solution for the 290.

elitherabbit · Aug 3, 2014

i7Baby :

Are you sure? On the XFX warranty page they have this:

** XFX has carefully selected the optimal thermal or fansink component for your graphics card model. We do not encourage the removal of components due to damage that may result in the process. XFX understands that some enthusiasts may choose to replace the original component with their own cooling solution. To support the gaming community, we recommend that you contact XFX prior to any modifications so that we can update your profile and product registration to avoid potential issues with warranty support. In addition, XFX support will be able to walk through the installation with you or provide feedback and pointers on available options for your specific product. You may even consider shipping your components to XFX and allow the technicians at XFX to perform the modification for you (shipping charges to XFX apply). - See more at: http://xfxforce.com/en-us/support/xfx-warranty#sthash.kOboAbkz.dpuf

Alex Kelly · Aug 3, 2014

Contact XFX and ask them about it.

i7Baby · Aug 3, 2014

So did you tell them what you wanted to do before doing it? And did they put in writing that's OK? I doubt it.

I think you're going to be out of pocket. I suggest you leave the replacement as is.

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XFX R9 290: Screen goes black after bootup, lots of weird artifacts on screen

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