Repairing the HD 7950 (artifacts) - VRM Issues?

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Cats869

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Aug 16, 2014
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Hey Guys,

I am trying to repair a HD 7950 card that has been artifacting lately whenever I launch a graphic intensive program (usually a game or sometimes a benchmark).

When I'm at the desktop, I don't see any artifacting except a few pixels that are messed up but are scattered across (usually covering the Windows Aero look).

It used to work perfectly fine a year ago but now, not so much. Warranty has ran out unfortunately.

The PSU power capacity should be adequate as I tested this card on my test bench. Drivers should be good. It seems like the artifacting disappears, whether I'm in a benchmark (furmark - stress testing) or at the desktop when I raise the power limit of my card by 3-5% at least. Strangely though, this solution does not carry over when trying to play a game such as GTA V or BF4.

I am going to try out a AMD certified game (if that is even a term) such as the Dirt series to make sure it doesn't appear in there but this card is quite strange.

I have been doing some research and noticed that some others from different forums pointed out that it could possibly be a VRAM issue? Not sure if that is the case or if a reflow is needed for the card or something.

For reference: http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=397240

[strike]I'll post pictures later on and other updates regarding the status of the card but for now, wanted to hear from the experts here to see what is the most likely issue. Thanks.[/strike]

UPDATE:

Sorry for the delay guys, here are the pictures of the graphics card. I don't see anything wrong on the board such as a burnt chip or any physical damage, do you guys see anything?

2nd UPDATE:

Hey guys, sorry for not staying on top of things. I've been quite busy for sometime but now I'm back with some updates.

I tried to run a few games and got some mixed results. I ran DIRT3 (at stock graphics card clock/power limit settings and no artifacting occurred whatsoever when using max settings at 1440x900 resolution. I ran Battlefield 4 and it started artifacting when looking at certain angles. I tried raising the power limit but that did no good at all (ncreased powerlimit to +10% and even tried +20% but no dice. It seems like it only somewhat helps when at the desktop where it does artifact a little bit now depending on what program is running.

I have uploaded a video (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/edjhb54ce34kkv3/AADq3-YnycqUoJzew1CvwkQoa/Videos?dl=0) you can check out here to see what the artifacting looks like for on Battlefield 4 and YouTube

I read somewhere it could be something with the temperatures of the VRAM chips being too high even though it shouldn't be as I checked to make sure the heatsink was properly attached not only to the GPU but also the VRAM chips.

What do you guys think?



Link to pictures:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/edjhb54ce34kkv3/AABQqT6oYWpZMGs3GTq8BnRNa?dl=0
 
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DustyDanglerX

DustyDanglerX

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If the card still has warranty rma it if not then you could try the baking method putting it on oven and baking it so the solder melts and hardens again and makes new joints but its very risky i advice against it even though this method worked on my 2nd dying 670 it worked for about 5 months after i did it and it died after so its a temporary fix not a permanent one.
 
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Cats869

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Wish I could easily multiquote on these forums...

@DustyDangerX
Yeah, I mentioned in my OP that the warranty is gone and I was thinking about baking the card but it might actually be unnecessary depending on the situtation. It could be a VRAM chip has gone bad and the solder may still be ok. I will need to do a bit more investigation before I can decide what solution to try out first.

@HEXiT/DustyDangerX
The thermal temperatures are good. That was one of the first things I checked. Nothing seem out of the ordinary. I used GPU-Z and Furmark to check temperatures and benchmark. I haven't tried MSI Afterburner (but I do use it on my main rig) but I'll give it a try using it sometime (not sure how much of a difference it will be when I can use the AMD overdrive feature in my Catalyst properties.
 
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Cats869

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Sorry for the delay, added pictures of the graphics card so you guys can take a look. Will test it on the test setup computer again soon.
Also, please disregasrd any dust or fur you see on my card, I'll just make sure to clean those the next time I put it together.They weren't there beforehand but only came when I took it apart.
 
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HEXiT

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so you had the card apart? now your getting artifacts.
when you replaced the cooler did you remove the old thermal tape as well as the thermal paste, then replace both? or did you just remothe the thermal paste and reuse the thermal pads?

if the second option. then replace the thermal pads with fresh 1's as it will give a better contact.
the old thermal pad would get compressed so when you replaced the cooler theres a good chance the old pads didnt contact as well as they did originally, which means your likely not benefiting as much from there ability to transfer heat.
 
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Cats869

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No... the card was artifacting Before I took it apart. I just took it apart a few days ago to inspect the internals. I did not replace any thermal paste

 
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HEXiT

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looked at the first vid. that looks like a physx issue. but your card doesnt support physx lol...
but the second vid is classic artifacts.

its possibly an issue with the voltage regulators.
normally the vrms should be at about 95'c max load. if yours are close or above that, then consider trying to help cooling.
you could try adding a thermal pad to the top of them if the coolers close enough to make contact. if its not try adding an alu heatsync if theres room.

sadly, if its started to artifact due to unstable power, then either your psu has an issue or the card does so will likely need raplacing.

try downscaling to 1080p and see if the problem persists or takes longer to show up.
 
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Cats869

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Thanks, I'll give that a shot, and I use some aluminum mini heatsinks.

Only thing I'm confused is that I get artifacts in a youtube video though and it would be kind of strange to have the VRM overheating during something that isn't too intensive. Also, what do you mean by downscaling to 1080p? My current resolution is at 1400x900. One thing to note though is that when I ran something at 800x600 or something, it's less likely to artifact, kinda.

I will probably try this guide out: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?286705-How-To-Curb-excessive-VRM-temps-under-full-GPU-load-on-Sapphire-Vapor-X-7950s

Also, my graphics card is this (I probably already mentioned it before but yeah): http://archive.benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=906&Itemid=72&limit=1&limitstart=2

For the unstable power part you mentioned, this graphics card worked fine for about 1-2 years but then it started getting these issues so possibly the VRM degraded overtime. I changed power supplies so I know it must be the card.
 
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HEXiT

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thing is mate you have used 120% power. this could have damaged something. especially now i see the lack of cooling over the power delivery.

also looking at that gpu and cooler layout. theres next to no way your gonna manage any extra cooling on the vrm.
it would be near pointless anyway looking at that pic. the power delivery is sitting right over the blower motor. so no room.

 
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Cats869

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That is true, though, I haven't set it to use 120% power all the time, probably only for like 30 seconds to observe any possible artifacts still occurring. Card doesn't seem to show any more damage a long the way but I can only hope. Anyway, yes it will be tricky, so I may have to look into getting a different heat sink for the card. What do you think of the website article link I posted earlier that shows someone modifying his card?

But yeah, it's not a big deal if I can't solve the problem since I have other graphics card and this is more of just a fun side project. Thanks for your help and info, I have learned quite a lot when trying to figure out what the issue was and possible ways to fix it.. I'll try to keep you guys updated when I try to modify the card.
 
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