Need help, what should I do?

[wizardmao]

Today my GPU suddenly had sparks coming out and I am worried about this as this is the first time I met such a situation. PC was bought back during Dec 2011.

My GPU is a MSI GTX 560 Ti 1GB Twin Frozr II. The sparks can be seen from the gap between the Twin Frozr fans and the GPU's board itself. I think in between is the heat sink as well?

I was not doing anything particular at the moment when it happened, just left it there with some minor background apps running like steam, media player etc.

My first action was to quickly switch off the mains thus I am unsure if my PC was still running or it could have hanged at the desktop as well.

Anyone with similar experience can advise on what I should do? Is there a need to get the GPU checked? I have been using this PC since bought back then and have given me no problems or issues of any sort.

My other PC specs can be seen at the side too.

Currently the PC is back-to-normal as of this post but I would like to find out if this is a potential issue of any sort as I do not wish for anything bad to happen to my PC

 

[GrimaH]

What are the temperatures of the card?

 

[Koenig168]

If within the warranty period, you should RMA the GPU. The system may be fine now but continued use puts the rest of your components at risk.

 

[wizardmao]

What are the temperatures of the card?

About 40 degrees on idle, 38 or so if just start up. When gaming, among the games I play I noticed highest was about the 70 degrees range. At point of time when it happened, I have no idea, I suppose within the 42 degrees range or so?

If within the warranty period, you should RMA the GPU. The system may be fine now but continued use puts the rest of your components at risk.

Yes it is still within the warranty period but I am currently unsure about what caused the sparks I saw earlier and would like to know more before I decide if I should really take the trouble to go RMA the GPU.

Edit: After I switched off the mains, opened the side casing panel, did not smell anything near burnt smell or what. No smokes also. Just sparks and sounds of those electric current or sparks??

 

[stemcell]

About 40 degrees on idle, 38 or so if just start up. When gaming, among the games I play I noticed highest was about the 70 degrees range. At point of time when it happened, I have no idea, I suppose within the 42 degrees range or so?



Yes it is still within the warranty period but I am currently unsure about what caused the sparks I saw earlier and would like to know more before I decide if I should really take the trouble to go RMA the GPU.

Edit: After I switched off the mains, opened the side casing panel, did not smell anything near burnt smell or what. No smokes also. Just sparks and sounds of those electric current or sparks??

Then got burn marks? If got just rma.

How did u notice the sparks? V bright and lasting ah... If one small spark, i don't think noticeable cause too fast?

 

[wizardmao]

Then got burn marks? If got just rma.

How did u notice the sparks? V bright and lasting ah... If one small spark, i don't think noticeable cause too fast?

Not sure what counts as burnt marks but the GPU looks normal as to what I usually see. There is not much dust as well as I often make attempts to clear off dust before they build up.

I have no idea when I noticed the sparks, whether it has been going on for sometime or just when it started I took notice of it.

It attracted my attention as I heard the sound of sparks. I got no idea how to explain this as well, its just the sound of sparks. Then as it seemed to come from the direction of my table I went nearer, saw sparks through the transparent side panel of my PC casing and immediately I turned off the mains.

 

[GrimaH]

If you don't mind waiting for a replacement, RMA it.
Also, check your PSU for burn marks or overheating too.

 

[wizardmao]

If you don't mind waiting for a replacement, RMA it.
Also, check your PSU for burn marks or overheating too.

PSU seems to be fine from the outside although the PSU being black in color like charcoal is not helping lol

Issue is I am someone who dislikes having any disruptions to the access of my PC, which is also why I am worried as I do not know what caused the sudden spark earlier and am kind of reluctant to have to go through the troubles of RMA-ing the GPU also

Is this issue unheard of or rare? Anyone with similar GPUs could possibly happen to know what could be damaged/spoiling?

 

[clon22]

We haven't met with such a case before.
Please bring the GPU down to us for a check regardless.

 

[wizardmao]

We haven't met with such a case before.
Please bring the GPU down to us for a check regardless.

Hi, are u from corbell? Is it necessary to make an appointment with regards to this case before heading down should I decide to bring the GPU down for a check?

May I know more about what the procedures would be? Like if there is a problem, will I be given another or I would have to wait for a period of time or something? Is the receipt sufficient or do I have to bring the entire box packaging down as well?

 

[royfrosty]

Hi, are u from corbell? Is it necessary to make an appointment with regards to this case before heading down should I decide to bring the GPU down for a check?

May I know more about what the procedures would be? Like if there is a problem, will I be given another or I would have to wait for a period of time or something? Is the receipt sufficient or do I have to bring the entire box packaging down as well?

Just bring down the gpu together with the warranty card/proof of purchase will do. Do not need to bring the box or the accessories.

If i were you even if it is gonna take some time to rma i would gladly do it. Cause sparks is something you wont wanna take a risk to continue using. So bring down to corbell and let them have a look. If im not wrong their location is at amk techplace 1. Its along ang mo kio ave 10 nearer if coming in from ave 1.