I need to cool a Radeon 7970 with broken fans

TeeJaye123 · Oct 15, 2014

I am planning on building my first computer build soon. While browsing on eBay for used graphics cards I came across a dealer selling Dual-X Radeon 7970's for $115, which seemed like a great deal, however, the fans on the cards are malfunctioning. How would I be able to keep the card cool? Do you know of a cheap, effective method I could use? I plan on replacing the TIM on the card, but what else could I do? Do you think I could safely give the card a decent overclock without going over 80C?

junkeymonkey · Oct 15, 2014

e-bay-- used don't sound good at all

and how do you know its just the fans??

a fool and his cash are soon parted [opinion]

TeeJaye123 · Oct 15, 2014

The seller has a good reputation. In the product description he describes that the fans are malfunctioning and doesn't tell of any other problems with the card. I know that I would be taking a risk buying the card, but the price just seems too good, and from a reputable dealer.

junkeymonkey · Oct 15, 2014

by who? his buddies thast he paied to give him a good report?? then is it the fan or something from the card causeing the fan to fail ???

you leave a lot in the air on this deal and a high risk of a ripoff [opinion]

its your money and theres a few aftermarket fans and coolers that will work for that card

http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l3/g30/c309/s1626/list/p1/Liquid_Cooling-Water_Blocks_VGA_-_Card_-_ATI-HD_7950_Water_Blocks-Page1.html

and as far as the fan you should just contact the cards manufacture and they should allow you to order the fan from them [I would hope]

mhirons · Oct 15, 2014

I've purchased several used components on eBay over the years with great success, but is it really a good deal if the fans are malfunctioning and you have to spend more money to replace them? You would have to look at what a fully functioning card is going for used and see if it makes sense when you factor in new fans.

TeeJaye123 · Oct 15, 2014

Thanks for the replies. I was hoping that someone could come up with an almost no cost solution to keeping the card cool, but all suggestions are welcome. After browsing adverts on eBay for used 7970's, it would seem the average cost is $150-$175 or so for fully functioning cards. If you all believe buying a card with broken fans is foolish I could pass on the deal and look for something else, I was just hoping for the possibility of a low cost solution to cooling the card that would make the deal all the better.

mhirons · Oct 15, 2014

I found a couple completed auctions for about $130, so if you are patient you can find them. I also saw a set of replacement fans for $20. Another low cost option that I saw while searching for replacement fans was a guy that took off the plastic housing and stuck on a case fan with zip ties. It looked kind of funny, but it worked.

Beezy · Oct 15, 2014

I would look for something else, ive seen aftermarket coolers for GPU's but it has to fit right and its not usually cheap. Considering the amount your saving on this GPU probably wouldn't cover the costs of an adequate cooling solution your probably better off just investing in a newer generation card.

smeezekitty · Oct 15, 2014

Considering the amount your saving on this GPU probably wouldn't cover the costs of an adequate cooling solution

This ^

TeeJaye123 · Oct 16, 2014

Thanks for going out of your way to help me everyone and I appreciate the helpful advice. The general consensus seems to be that I should pass on this one and find something else, although I will look into the effectiveness of the solutions mhirons has given me.

TeeJaye123 · Oct 16, 2014

I was just browsing for any threads concerning the use of case fans for gpu cooling and I came across this:
http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/131944-two-120mm-case-fans-to-gpu/
It would appear, with some tinkering, that it would be possible to mount a case fan on a gpu which would effectively cool it, although I'm not sure of the cost effectiveness.

RobCrezz · Oct 16, 2014

Either get another cooler off of a broken card (but working cooler), or you could get a Kraken G10 bracket and use a AIO liquid cooler.

junkeymonkey · Oct 16, 2014

ya but lets say he get that bad card and then orders all that he thinks he needs and finds that don't work spends more on something else to try plus shipping - time - aggravation - still down case the card still not working and what ever may come up

and when its all said and done he could just go to newegg and get something like this for $229
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150678

or this for $180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127789

and be brand new in the box with warrantee [opinion]

RobCrezz · Oct 16, 2014

Fair enough that's your opinion, but used cards can be a bargain, no need to shy away from fixing things if you are prepared for it.

junkeymonkey · Oct 16, 2014

ya if I got it from a buddy no prob , but not going and spending that kind of money on something like that he wants to do foolish where not talking $10

junkeymonkey · Oct 16, 2014

the best answer for him is just do and see .. it will turn out good or he will know better next time ... live and learn

RobCrezz · Oct 16, 2014

junkeymonkey :

Its only broken fans..

junkeymonkey · Oct 16, 2014

how do you know?? is it the fan or something from the card that causing the fans not to work??

your buying someone's else junk and do you think if it was a easy fix the guy would fix it and get more money for it ??? right there tells me something's up on that deal

junkeymonkey · Oct 16, 2014

one more thing why don't that guy send then in to the manufacture to get fixed or referbed ?? that's worth more money when it to be sold as a fully working item and it may then have a limited referb warrantee with that

all around it just high risk and 2+2 is =5 on this

RobCrezz · Oct 16, 2014

Its probably out of warranty..

Lol if you think this is high risk, then you clearly have never fixed anything that's not working before.

junkeymonkey · Oct 16, 2014

ya that's right its not a point about fixing it its just you don't know if it can be and your willing to pay $100 to see from what could be a fly by night e-bay stranger ?? its not like my buddy comes over and says '' I got this card the fan quit working you want to take a look at it '' seeing what you say shows me you must not work for the money you spend

well all I can say is a fool and his money are soon parted

TeeJaye123 · Oct 16, 2014

I would like to mention that I am try to squeeze as much price/performance I can out of my planned computer build, so $100+ cooling solutions are out of the question. Thanks for the suggestion though. I understand junkey's concerns and do respect his opionion, but I however do believe the dealer in question is legit. The dealers niche seems to be taking used graphics cards with some problem or another that he aquired through some means, then likely putting them through minor testing and inspection to see if they work adequately, and selling them at bottom prices. Moreover, I started this thread to see if it was possible to cool a graphics card with broken fans with some cheap solution and I got some interesting replies. Thanks to everyone for replying and trying to inform me.

junkeymonkey · Oct 16, 2014

as I said above ''the best answer for him is just do and see .. it will turn out good or he will know better next time ... live and learn ''

if it works out then its all good for you if not then you know better next time . right??

junkeymonkey · Oct 16, 2014

forgot -- if you go for it and find its just the fan there looks to be some replacements you may find for it like this

http://www.amazon.com/nVidia-ASUS-Sapphire-Video-Replacement/dp/B00B6ZA42M

TeeJaye123 · Oct 16, 2014

I'll look into getting that should I decide to buy the 7970 from that dealer. Those replacement fans seem like they will have no problem keeping the card cool at stock speeds. I would like to overclock, however, and the case fan solution appears to be able to cool a gpu enough to give some overclocking headroom. Thanks for the suggestion.

I need to cool a Radeon 7970 with broken fans

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