Advice please - clicking Sapphire Radeon RX 5700 XT Nitro+

[Srenron]

Hi all,

I've been putting together my first build over the last few months, buying components gradually as they go on sale, mostly as open box etc and using some parts from an old Lenovo desktop I had (I thought I could just buy a cheap graphics card for it, then got sucked into basically a completely new computer sans the processor). Recently I purchased a b-grade Sapphire Radeon RX 5700 XT Nitro+. I was really pleased with the price as I'd been saving for a graphics card for awhile when the prices started going up due to covid. Unfortunately it clicks when the fans spin up. I assumed something was stuck in them, but I can't see anything. I don't really want to return the card due the difficulty finding one in my price range in the first place. Is there anything else that could be causing it? Thanks for any advice in advance.

[MrJim]

The graphics card should still be under warranty with Sapphire - why not RMA it to them? The downside is you will probably need to send it to somewhere in Europe or Taiwan, which won't be cheap.

[Srenron]

Hi, thanks for the advice. I hadn't thought of that as I was under the impression RMAs were something to do with USA legislation. I'm in the UK so I thought it would just be covered by the consumer rights act and the seller would just offer a refund since they won't have another b-grade unit to exchange it for. The cost of the cards has shot up, so a refund wouldn't cover an alternative. Thanks, I'll email sapphire

[Jonj1611]

Sapphire warranty is only for the original purchaser I believe, if its b-grade sounds like it is second hand perhaps? In that case I would contact where you got the graphics card from

[Srenron]

Hi Jon, thanks for your message. I'm not aware that it's second hand. I got it from overclockers and was under the impression it was either a return or ex-demo, but I may be wrong. I was trying to keep costs down whilst avoiding actual second hand hardware. My original plan had been to get a card from cex, but a friend advised against it on the basis that I wouldn't know how it had been looked after previously. I'll email overclockers and enquire about the warranty or lack there of. Thanks for the help

[MrJim]

Sapphire warranty is only for the original purchaser I believe, if its b-grade sounds like it is second hand perhaps? In that case I would contact where you got the graphics card from

It depends on the retailer? B-grade stock might be stock returned under the 'Consumer Contracts Regulations' (which apparently replaced 'Distance Selling Regulations'), which allow people to return items within 14 days of purchase. The item might be missing some parts (e.g. the manual), or might be an ex display item. Either way, it should be covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

[MrJim]

Hi all,

I've been putting together my first build over the last few months, buying components gradually as they go on sale, mostly as open box etc and using some parts from an old Lenovo desktop I had (I thought I could just buy a cheap graphics card for it, then got sucked into basically a completely new computer sans the processor). Recently I purchased a b-grade Sapphire Radeon RX 5700 XT Nitro+. I was really pleased with the price as I'd been saving for a graphics card for awhile when the prices started going up due to covid. Unfortunately it clicks when the fans spin up. I assumed something was stuck in them, but I can't see anything. I don't really want to return the card due the difficulty finding one in my price range in the first place. Is there anything else that could be causing it? Thanks for any advice in advance.

Where did you purchase the B-grade Sapphire card from?

[Jonj1611]

It depends on the retailer? B-grade stock might be stock returned under the 'Consumer Contracts Regulations' (which apparently replaced 'Distance Selling Regulations'), which allow people to return items within 14 days of purchase. The item might be missing some parts (e.g. the manual), or might be an ex display item. Either way, it should be covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

Yes I am aware but being b-grade could mean that the original retailer may not have anymore to exchange and would only be able to provide a refund and as the OP has said they don't know if they could get a similar card for the money I assume they have already looked at that.

As for manufacturer warranty it will come down to if the card is new or used

[Jonj1611]

Hi, thanks for the advice. I hadn't thought of that as I was under the impression RMAs were something to do with USA legislation. I'm in the UK so I thought it would just be covered by the consumer rights act and the seller would just offer a refund since they won't have another b-grade unit to exchange it for. The cost of the cards has shot up, so a refund wouldn't cover an alternative. Thanks, I'll email sapphire

Did this just appear? Sure it wasn't there just now!

Where did you buy the card from? Was it sold as used b grade or new b grade

[Xlucine]

I wonder if sapphire sell replacement fans?

[Srenron]

Hi all,

Sorry I think as I'm new my messages need to be moderated before appearing, so there is a delay and they're appearing before your comments in the thread, but after you post. I also thought I'd submitted a comment about where it was from, but it hasn't shown up so I must have done something wrong. The card was from overclockers, it wasn't listed as second hand and I was under the impression it was either a return or an ex demo, but I may be wrong. I plan on contacting overclockers to query the warranty question.

I hadn't thought about replacing the fans. If sapphire do sell them would they just have connectors similar to the motherboard or would they be soldered on? I'm a pretty sufficient diyer in terms of home stuff, but I'm not sure I'd fancy taking a soldering iron to the card.

Thanks again for all the help and sorry about the weird comment order/ timing thing.

[MrJim]

I wonder if sapphire sell replacement fans?

Even though it was sold as 'b-grade', the card should still be covered under the Sapphire warranty, and so Sapphire should replace them without charge if they are faulty. Having said that, it's possible that the cost of buying new fans from Sapphire might be less than the cost of the RMA postage, so it might be an option if the fans are available. I did have a quick look on Ebay for replacement fans, but couldn't see any...

[Jonj1611]

I know you keep saying that but surely thats only if the card is a "new" b-grade, as you said like open box or whatever, if its second hand then the warranty is not transferable.

Really could do with the OP saying where they got it from, might shed some light on the situatinon'

[MrJim]

I know you keep saying that but surely thats only if the card is a "new" b-grade, as you said like open box or whatever, if its second hand then the warranty is not transferable.

Really could do with the OP saying where they got it from, might shed some light on the situatinon'

True - the warranty would probably only apply if it were bought from a retail outlet...like this?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/b-gra...bg-15j-sp.html

[Jonj1611]

Yes that is what I would expect

[Srenron]

Hi both,

I'm really sorry I've tried to reply multiple times from my phone, but they don't seem to be appearing. I really appreciate the help. It was bought from overclockers, it wasn't the special edition card, but otherwise is the same as your post. Assuming they had the same t&cs I guess this means there is a 90 day warranty from when it was bought so I'll contact overclockers / sapphire to check. I'm interested in the idea to replace the fans should this not work, but I assume this would involve soldering? Or are they just connected in the same manner as case fans to a motherboard? Thanks again, sorry about the reply issue.