VRAM just don't randomly go bad sitting in a closet, but capacitors certainly do.

The Serpent Rider wrote on 2021-11-13, 09:29:

VRAM just don't randomly go bad sitting in a closet, but capacitors certainly do.

Could also be ESD damage if it had been stored improperly and the packaging it was stored in was improperly handled (like it sitting in a weak box with tons of stuff piled on top of it making the box sag and the board flex).

You reckon it could be feasible for it to be damage caused by fluctuating temperatures in which it was stored?

Tetrium wrote on 2021-11-16, 14:25:

The Serpent Rider wrote on 2021-11-13, 09:29:

VRAM just don't randomly go bad sitting in a closet, but capacitors certainly do.

Could also be ESD damage if it had been stored improperly and the packaging it was stored in was improperly handled (like it sitting in a weak box with tons of stuff piled on top of it making the box sag and the board flex).

You reckon it could be feasible for it to be damage caused by fluctuating temperatures in which it was stored?

It does get cold and hot here, but the inside temps are far more regulated. Possible I guess?

Put it on eBay and call it not tested! 😉

If it's indeed a VRAM issue, I guess it depends on how skilled you are with BGA replacement (or how cheap you can find such a service).
I also have an ASUS V9950 Ultra which I bought a few months ago, but it turned out to be half-dead (same problem - apparent VRAM issue or maybe GPU connection issue, capacitors are in top shape - I tested them). At some point I might try and see if it can be repaired (not by me, I don't have the proper tools or the skill to replace BGA chips). Until then, I'm still keeping it because it's just a beautiful card.

Joakim wrote on 2021-11-16, 18:11:

Put it on eBay and call it not tested! 😉

But sell it as "for parts or not working", otherwise, if you sell it as "Used", eBay will quickly take the money out of your account and refund the buyer 😜

I guess that is my question -- would anyone buy a broken 5900U for parts in the hope of repairing it? I don't like dealing with ebay and I avoid it unless the amount I can sell something for makes it worth it.

It was a joke I would never sell it but I would never sell anything worth less than 50$ anyway..

Joakim wrote on 2021-11-16, 18:23:

It was a joke I would never sell it but I would never sell anything worth less than 50$ anyway..

Of course, I got that! I was also joking... but with a serious undertone. 😀

bloodem wrote on 2021-11-16, 18:32:

Joakim wrote on 2021-11-16, 18:23:

It was a joke I would never sell it but I would never sell anything worth less than 50$ anyway..

Of course, I got that! I was also joking... but with a serious undertone. 😀

So was I!

It could just be bad solder joints if it worked when you put it away.

If it were me, I would try cleaning the card and then squirting some no-clean solder flux liquid under each VRAM chip and then use a hot air rework station to reflow the existing solder balls.

I fixed a PS3 that way and would suspect that other things can be fixed the same way. Much easier and quicker than removing chips, cleaning the pads, getting a solder ball mask, applying the new solder balls, and then resoldering the VRAM chips.