My 5 year old GPU died... anything I can do? I feel cheated.

[Zeze]

Not sure if this still belongs in General Hardware, but here goes.

I have an older GPU (HD6870) that I spent pretty penny on 5 years ago. Today it still allows me to play older games. This is NOT about troubleshooting, that's resolved.

I'm frustrated because it just died without any warning. I really don't want to spend another $$ on GPU. Is there ANYTHING I can do? I mean a videocard's lifespan is not meant to be crapped out in 5 years. I have GPUs that still work 10+ years.

1. Can AMD do anything to recoup my cost?
2. Will card maker do anything? (HIS IceQ X HD6870)
3. Or the retailer? (was it newegg or amazon).

I feel bit cheated because I did nothing out of ordinary and it died early.

 

[whm1974]

It is likely out of warranty and you are SOL. You should still be able to play older games with newer GPUs. Just get a Rx460/560 or 1050 or 1050Ti. Or even maybe a 1030 as that might work with older games, a step up from using an iGPU anyway.

 

[vailr]

There's the option of replacing with a used card from eBay or craigslist:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/XFX-AMD-Radeon-HD-6870-1-GB-HD-687A-ZHFC-/253083985611
If the operating system is Win7 or newer, then replacing with a more recent vintage video card from nVidia or AMD would probably work just fine.
However, if you're talking about running WinVista, WinXP or some earlier O.S., then replacement with another Radeon HD6870 card may be the better solution.

 

[renz20003]

 

[nakedfrog]

While I wouldn't be happy about it, I also wouldn't expect any kind of restitution after using it for five years.

 

[bruceb]

Well about 2 years ago my Nvidia card in my Dell Diminsion 8200 died on me. It came from the factory back in 2001 .. And the Dell / Sony CRT based monitor died 3 months later

 

[Omar F1]

Hey, at least you didn't finally receive Geforce 7600GT after long wait for a proper card, back in the day, only to drop a screw over it while trying to install 80mm fan inside your case with PC running - boom! and your dreams are over for that year...

 

[clamum]

Buy my 7870 for super cheap?

 

[Zeze]

Buy my 7870 for super cheap?

Exact model and price?

 

[sandorski]

The vidcard in my sig died after 18 months. This happened in May, been using my Lifetime Warranty XFX 5870 since then.

 

[BoomerD]

You should have bought a better quality card.

I bought an EVGA 460gtx video card in 2010 when I built this rig. 3 years ago, it died...so I contacted EVGA. They sent a replacement 660 gtx at no cost. That replacement is still covered under the original "lifetime warranty" as the original. (Qnd it does everything I need)

 

[kirbyrj]

With modern GPU's, I'm actually more surprised that it lasted 5 years. Just in my lifetime, I've gone from passive cooled GPU's to small Vantec "Iceberq" fans to the triple fan/WC monsters we have today. All that extra heat coupled with the cooling cycles has to do a number on chips in ways your 10 year old models didn't have to deal with. Just my $0.02.

 

[ultimatebob]

I had a Radeon 6870 as well, but it was time to replace it about a year ago. AMD stopped offering new drivers for it awhile back, so new games really weren't working on it correctly. It also never supported Mantle, as it was one generation too old to get support for that.

It's time to let it go, man. But, hey, if you really want another one, PM me and I'll give you a killer deal on it!

 

[zinfamous]

at 5 years, I wouldn't think a GPU just dies like that without some user or system help: never cleaned it? PSU failing? etc.

It's weird to come onto a tech board and complain about a 5 year old card, though....you should have upgraded 8 times within that timespan! (just kidding--that's crazy people behavior). Either way, that is a generous lifespan for such a GPU these days. Going forward, do what Boomer did and look for a manufacturer with a generous warranty policy if your goal is to get maximum lifetime out of these things.

....and this is not a good time to get even low or midrange GPU with all of the inflated prices due to etherium boom.

 

[BudAshes]

I would say 5 years is precisely the amount of time at which I would no longer feel cheated.

 

[whm1974]

at 5 years, I wouldn't think a GPU just dies like that without some user or system help: never cleaned it? PSU failing? etc.

It's weird to come onto a tech board and complain about a 5 year old card, though....you should have upgraded 8 times within that timespan! (just kidding--that's crazy people behavior). Either way, that is a generous lifespan for such a GPU these days. Going forward, do what Boomer did and look for a manufacturer with a generous warranty policy if your goal is to get maximum lifetime out of these things.

....and this is not a good time to get even low or midrange GPU with all of the inflated prices due to etherium boom.

Yeah most gamers will replace their dGPU at least once or twice if they are keeping their rig for five years anyway.

How old is the OP's computer?

 

[darkswordsman17]

OP, I'd consider sending my old 6850 your way, but I've been thinking of trying to trade/sell my RX480 for a PS4 Pro while mining prices are high, so I might need it.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I haven't powered up the old Core 2 E8400 with 6850 in the closet in a year or two (or three?), I wonder if it still works?

 

[brianmanahan]

I really don't want to spend another $$ on GPU. Is there ANYTHING I can do?

give us your anandtech membership card

and then leave

 

[whm1974]

give us your anandtech membership card

and then leave

Man that is mean of you. Then again how many of us even keep a GPU in use for five years or longer anyway?

 

[sdifox]

Ask your new owner to buy you one.

 

[pete6032]

I feel like 5 years is a decent run for a card these days.

 

[highland145]

I paid $1700 for my 1st Pentium 3 machine in 199something

I just paid $190 for a Dell refurb i5.

I want a refund....bitches. Paypal works.

 

[sdifox]

I paid $1700 for my 1st Pentium 3 machine in 199something

I just paid $190 for a Dell refurb i5.

I want a refund....bitches. Paypal works.

My Pentium 60 was 1000, just for the cpu. The mb 700.

 

[highland145]

My Pentium 60 was 1000, just for the cpu. The mb 700.

Apply, apply ..there's refund $$ to be had...right? Maybe even a class action....woot.