jadecougar

Hello gentlemen!
After a long story I'll give the shortened version.

Purchased watercooling parts which is not installed and working. Main components are CPU block and GPU block (4870X2) which is from EK (see below)

CLICK HERE to see the product in question

Ok, I removed the stock cooler and began prepping the GPUs and ram chips....UNFORTUNATELY with Arctic Silver 5 (=88% conductive). I now have a strong "gut feeling" that I may have fried the card after several assembly attempts.

Here's what happens. Card is installed to the PCI-E slot. I start up the PC and after POST the monitor loses signal and just hangs. I have a lian-li p80 case which has no bios speaker. All lights a green on the MOBO (=good sign) but ONE Red light is showing on the X2. G15 is the light in question which seems to be attributed to thermal temperature. It doesn't flash but is just on.

I've seen worse cases than mine with the led lights and the corrective solutions given thus far have not worked. I've also had difficulties with the screws provided as they have seems too short as well so I wonder if the card is getting contact with the block.

another is my paste (=conductive). I wonder if I fried the card and no matter what I do it's toast.

I haven't tried with the stock fan yet as that will still be my last test before I RMA it but I'm nervous and upset obviously. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!

RallyMaster

You're not supposed to put AS5 on the RAM chips...or did no one tell you? I use AS Ceramique strictly now for just about everything. Sure I get a degree or two worse than AS5 but no chance of damage brings a sense of security I guess.

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PhillyOverclocker

AS5 isn't going to hurt your RAM chips as long as you don't get it over the sides of the chip and onto the connectors. Probably still not a good idea.

As for you other problem, have you reseated everything? I would reseat EVERYTHING, even if you don't think it has moved. PSU connectors and all.

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skugpezz

that happened to me while changing my cooler just cleand all chips and put the stock cooler back on...that is what i did to fix my card

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jadecougar

Thanks for the comments guys!

yes, all has been reset and reconnected several times over. EK's instructions were clear, yet not all the same. A quote from their instructions:

"Apply thermal compound: lightly coat the GPU, RAMs and Chip with for example Céramique thermal compound."

"....EK Water blocks recommends non-conductive Arctic Silver Céramique."

I used a noob mind
--> themal compound (Arctic Silver 5) - CHECK
--> EK blocks "recommends" -- = not mandatory (didn't have the Céramique)

Anyway, I wiped off all the silver 5 compound and used thermal pads instead. Same result--> G15 Red light.

So, I'm guessing I accidently fried it!!

Has anyone used the above mentioned linked EK Block? What paste/thermal solution did you use? Were there problems with the washers as mentioned in an article I found?

Thanks for getting involved to try and help me. I'm VERY new to water cooling but not computers & components....which makes this mistake particularly hard to swallow.

coffeejunky

Can you put the stock cooler back on. With certain EK blocks on the X2 there is a known shorting problem.

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Syrillian

I also had massive issues with this

Check This thread, perhaps there is a solution?

It took me awhile and a considerable amount of frustration, but with the help of other members I was able to work it out.

Good luck.

<edit> short story for me: mounting screws were shorting out the card; cardboard washers fixed it.

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jadecougar

Great thread! Actually quite fantastic in nature and many different ideas. The one with electrical tape (or I assume it's actually thermal pads) over the holes was quite innovative!

I have tried this with cardboard washers and it seemed to continue unfortunately.

I have now sent it back under warranty but can't help wonder if I might have tried some of the ideas in your provided linked thread if something from there would have worked or not.

Is the card that touchy that you can tighten it properly? Are the screws themselves (even with a PVC washer) causing shorts despite being attached to the water block?! I had a problem in that I used thermal pads in all places except the GPUs and the backside of the vrams (where I unfortunately used conductive arctic silver 5). The small screws weren't even reaching the holes of the block without a fair bit of force. Was this the case for you too or did you end up buying longer screws like the ones used with the L-shaped vram covers?

Sorry for what surely sounds like noob questions but I really want to get it right....once a new card is acquired.

Thanks again in advance. The reading has been most helpful!

PhillyOverclocker

No problem at all. Hey, keep coming back even after you have fixed the problem. This is a forum where you can continuously learn new things for some of the most knowledgeable overclockers and modders around.

Good luck!

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jadecougar

BIG TROUBLE!

I've tried the advice here. I even got new washers from EK. Now what WAS a D15 LEd has now turned to D13, 14, and 15 LED lights staying on from the moment of powering up the machine....then it just hangs.

I even RMAd my previous card and now this current one is showing more LEDs than the previous one! I've used the electrical tape insulation trick...nope.
Nothing, nada.

I don't know what to do anymore! New Card. New Block. No fun!

Can anyone please help?