GPU 480 EK Block.... Rusty or What?

[davidkozat]

So I been getting BSODs (nvlddmkm.sys) randomly on my Setup (480gtx SLi) for weeks now and I have posted it on a Previous post HERE So I decided to take off the blocks and dry it and look...



this one crashes after a while using it by itself and on SLi



and the second one... this one works better by itself....

Now am not sure at what exactly am looking at wherether is rust or not but I have only used one watercooling liquid called PC Pure (had bad experience with Freezer one) and do you guys think that might me the reason for the BSODs at boot the rest of the card looks fine ill take it apart and clean it...

Ill post the second card looks later on as am taking the whole system apart...

Thanks in advance!

[lowfat]

That looks to be what everyone calls corroision or nickel flaking. Your choices are to open it up to see if it is just staining, if so you should be able to clean it off. Or you could RMA the block to EK if it is actual flaking.

[davidkozat]

Ill doubt ill be able to RMA if I open it...

[davidkozat]

Ill doubt ill be able to RMA if I open it...

This is how it looks after cleaning it the best I could:

[lowfat]

Opening it doesn't have an affect on RMA. That definitely looks like it is flaking. I'd contact EK for a replacement block.

[davidkozat]

I'll call them up but its got a sealing saying warranty void if removed... plus I dont have the original boxing and other paper work ... anyway know any way I could paint it or
coat it some how?

[Copie]

I'll call them up but its got a sealing saying warranty void if removed... plus I dont have the original boxing and other paper work ... anyway know any way I could paint it or
coat it some how?

That sticker is only the leak warranty, Eddy has said you can pull the blocks apart and it will NOT effect any of your warranty except for the leak warranty.

The only way to fix it is to get it stripped or replated.

[davidkozat]

OK thanks guys am gonna test the GPUs and remove the CPU block...

Yep the CPU block is super clean inside...

[davidkozat]

So I finally put my system together and in SLi I also swap the order of the cards just in case and when I launch games in full screen or benchmark this happens...

[Copie]

Does it do it when your running Furmark or 3DmarkII?

Looks like one of the cards is dying.

[PiLsY]

Yeah card or bridge, outside chance its the pci-e slot. Have you got a spare bridge to try?

[davidkozat]

I have tried different bridges and on different Pci slots but it comes and goes must be card... man am not having luck with the Fermi series am gonna go ATi in the future....

[warmage]

you sure its not bowed ? , and what did you use pads or TIM ?

[PiLsY]

I've had 2 470's fail within 12 months out of 5 cards, so you're not the only one. Good thing they have decent warranty. Strangely both were under ek blocks that flaked - made me wonder if the block wasnt shorted to the card somewhere, enough to de-plate it. Switched to Aquacomputer blocks and do not regret it for a moment, theyre engineered brilliantly.

[davidkozat]

I used the pads that were included on the EK blocks and I agree with pilsy when I added the backplate to the cards I decided to put some washes between the plate and the card.... even though people say you dont need it, it just looks way to close to the circuits for my liking... so far everything is ok I changed SLi bridge again.... my 8th now.... and it looks ok... been playing BF3 fine for hours...

[PiLsY]

Both my cards were also using ek nickel backplates. I saw no evidence of any shorting anywhere on the card or base of the blocks, so this should firmly remain supposition and could easily just be coincidence. I dont want to be starting or be accused of starting any witch hunts .

I guess ill know after the new cards have been running for a while, we know the 1st gen fermi design was flawed and a heat monster/power hungry anyway. That's never a good recipe for reliability. I cant resist the power/price ratio though .

[davidkozat]

from the begging I had problems with the GPUs anyway then they die I will replace them with new ones I know the 400 series are very hot and consume a lot of power....

[davidkozat]

Ok guys so whats the best block out there for watercooling I though EK nickel plated were pretty good but I dont want this to happen in the future...

[ying]

I have a gtx 480 too and this is my waterblock:



And never got any problem with the nickel.

The waterblock is from aquacomputer: http://www.aquatuning.es/product_inf...d-version.html and it comes with a backplate.

[davidkozat]

Cool ill be getting Aquacomputer blocks next time

[PiLsY]

Yeah same, went with AC, simply stunning and have recommended to everyone since. 5c lower temps compared to my EK blocks too, which I was very shocked at.

[davidkozat]

5C doent look like a lot but quality wise it does look pretty cool and also how is the back plate? cant find it online...

[TJ TRICHEESE]

In watercooling terms 5c is quite a lot, also the new EK EN nickel blocks don't have the flaking problem

[davidkozat]

5c on cooling terms is not that great if is 5c lower wile the GPU is on 100% load that would be great but the EK EN dont obviously dont work cos I got 2 of those and they still suffer from flaking problems...

[ying]

5C doent look like a lot but quality wise it does look pretty cool and also how is the back plate? cant find it online...

You can see how they make the waterblock from 0: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-Yd8v2Ub9E

The installation of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lama0kSppp8

And this is the backplate: