Multiple broken graphics cards

92jlee · Dec 4, 2012, 05:14 PM

I have 2 x 7300gt and 1 x 3870 and all 3 have problems displaying video, either distorted or nothing at all.

There is no visable damage to any of the cards - is there any way to fix them or a company that fixes them or even someone on these forums that can? It seems a waste when the 7300s go for a fair bit on ebay for such an old card.

Should I just bite the bullet and throw them away?

ActionableMango · Dec 4, 2012, 05:49 PM

I'm suspicious you have so many cards that are broken. That's a big coincidence. Perhaps something else is wrong such as the computer itself. Have you tried the cards in another computer?

If the problem really is the cards, the type of repair you are talking about is component level repair. Diagnostics usually take a few hours and thus will exceed the value of these cards. You can always take a look for yourself for anything obvious such as a blown capacitor and replace it with a similarly rated part, but odds are not good for this.

MacVidCards · Dec 4, 2012, 06:56 PM

Have a close look at the 7300s.

They have a known issue where the two large 1500/6.3V (IIRC) capacitors immediately to the left of the heatsink bulge and kill the card.

The parts are literally like $1 each and the card can be fixed better than new.

If the capacitors aren't bulging then the fix will be more involved.

We buy dead Apple OEM 7300s for $25/each FWIW.

lemonade-maker · Dec 4, 2012, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macvidcards

have a close look at the 7300s.

They have a known issue where the two large 1500/6.3v (iirc) capacitors immediately to the left of the heatsink bulge and kill the card.

The parts are literally like $1 each and the card can be fixed better than new.

If the capacitors aren't bulging then the fix will be more involved.

We buy dead apple oem 7300s for $25/each fwiw.

spam

MacVidCards · Dec 4, 2012, 11:58 PM

I was trying to tell him he might be able to fix the cards himself for $2, not sure how that qualifies as "SPAM"

Here is more info:

http://www.hardmac.com/news/2009/08/...in-the-mac-pro

alksion · Dec 5, 2012, 12:53 AM

Could be an issue with your board as well.

ActionableMango · Dec 5, 2012, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemonade-maker

spam

Not spam.

MacVidCards is a site supporter and provides a massive amount of free help on the forums. He also provides an extremely valuable service to the Mac community.

92jlee · Dec 5, 2012, 04:19 PM

Hi guys, thanks for all the feedback. I acquired one 7300 with my current machine, another from parts and the 3870 from eBay. I doubt my pro is the cause as I have been running Windows on a 4850 for the last few months with no issues.
MacVidCards - I spoke to you through PM about buying a card from you but money is tight at the moment. looking at these cards I can see some bulging capacitors on one but not the other. Any tips on where to buy replacement caps?
If this works, would you have any ideas with the 3870?

thanks very much all

Dec 4, 2012, 05:14 PM	#1
92jlee macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK	Multiple broken graphics cards I have 2 x 7300gt and 1 x 3870 and all 3 have problems displaying video, either distorted or nothing at all. There is no visable damage to any of the cards - is there any way to fix them or a company that fixes them or even someone on these forums that can? It seems a waste when the 7300s go for a fair bit on ebay for such an old card. Should I just bite the bullet and throw them away? __________________ \| Mac Pro 1,1 upgraded to X5355 \| PowerBook G4 17 1.50Ghz \| iMac G4 1.25Ghz \|
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Dec 4, 2012, 05:49 PM	#2
ActionableMango macrumors 68030 Join Date: Sep 2010	I'm suspicious you have so many cards that are broken. That's a big coincidence. Perhaps something else is wrong such as the computer itself. Have you tried the cards in another computer? If the problem really is the cards, the type of repair you are talking about is component level repair. Diagnostics usually take a few hours and thus will exceed the value of these cards. You can always take a look for yourself for anything obvious such as a blown capacitor and replace it with a similarly rated part, but odds are not good for this.
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Dec 4, 2012, 06:56 PM	#3
MacVidCards macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Hollywood, CA	Have a close look at the 7300s. They have a known issue where the two large 1500/6.3V (IIRC) capacitors immediately to the left of the heatsink bulge and kill the card. The parts are literally like $1 each and the card can be fixed better than new. If the capacitors aren't bulging then the fix will be more involved. We buy dead Apple OEM 7300s for $25/each FWIW.
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Dec 4, 2012, 11:58 PM	#5
MacVidCards macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Hollywood, CA	I was trying to tell him he might be able to fix the cards himself for $2, not sure how that qualifies as "SPAM" Here is more info: http://www.hardmac.com/news/2009/08/...in-the-mac-pro
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Dec 5, 2012, 12:53 AM	#6
alksion macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles County	Could be an issue with your board as well.
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Dec 5, 2012, 04:19 PM	#8
92jlee Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK	Hi guys, thanks for all the feedback. I acquired one 7300 with my current machine, another from parts and the 3870 from eBay. I doubt my pro is the cause as I have been running Windows on a 4850 for the last few months with no issues. MacVidCards - I spoke to you through PM about buying a card from you but money is tight at the moment. looking at these cards I can see some bulging capacitors on one but not the other. Any tips on where to buy replacement caps? If this works, would you have any ideas with the 3870? thanks very much all
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