Nope, no need to remove any screws although I did end up pulling the whole heatsink off to replace the thermal paste with some better stuff which helped drop temperatures as well.
It does void your warranty though.
Edit - This technique *should* also work for pretty much any card that uses the single sided sleeve bearings that companies seem to be using these days. If your card has an older fan design where the bearing is accessible from the rear, you only need to peel back the motor sticker and add oil there instead of removing the fan blades.
This fix does not work for ball bearing fans.
I have applied this fix to:
Sapphire hd5850 xtreme
Diamond hd5870 reference design
Topic: RMA question - Sapphire 5850 (Read 2336 times)
Proceed only if you know what you're doing.
If you make a mistake messing around with the cards trying to fix those fans, you can forget your RMA privileges. If you can't fix the issue yourself, you're two cards down.
If you make a mistake messing around with the cards trying to fix those fans, you can forget your RMA privileges. If you can't fix the issue yourself, you're two cards down.
I've had a bunch of my Sapphire hd5850 fans fail, and didn't want to bother with RMAing them. Take two small screwdrivers or other prying implements and pry the fan upwards, making sure to apply force to both sides equally.
The fan hub and blades will pop up, then you can remove them, clean the shaft and add a drop or two of lightweight oil to the bearing (sewing machine oil, zoom spout, 3-in-1 for electric motors)
Push the fan hub back on and it will snap back in. You'll be good to go.
My fans failed after only 3 weeks when they were brand new - I oiled them once and they've been running for 5 months now with no problems.
The fan hub and blades will pop up, then you can remove them, clean the shaft and add a drop or two of lightweight oil to the bearing (sewing machine oil, zoom spout, 3-in-1 for electric motors)
Push the fan hub back on and it will snap back in. You'll be good to go.
My fans failed after only 3 weeks when they were brand new - I oiled them once and they've been running for 5 months now with no problems.
Really? No need to remove screws or anything?
I've had a bunch of my Sapphire hd5850 fans fail, and didn't want to bother with RMAing them. Take two small screwdrivers or other prying implements and pry the fan upwards, making sure to apply force to both sides equally.
The fan hub and blades will pop up, then you can remove them, clean the shaft and add a drop or two of lightweight oil to the bearing (sewing machine oil, zoom spout, 3-in-1 for electric motors)
Push the fan hub back on and it will snap back in. You'll be good to go.
My fans failed after only 3 weeks when they were brand new - I oiled them once and they've been running for 5 months now with no problems.
The fan hub and blades will pop up, then you can remove them, clean the shaft and add a drop or two of lightweight oil to the bearing (sewing machine oil, zoom spout, 3-in-1 for electric motors)
Push the fan hub back on and it will snap back in. You'll be good to go.
My fans failed after only 3 weeks when they were brand new - I oiled them once and they've been running for 5 months now with no problems.
I would send them in for an RMA.
I have sent in a few 5830s. You have to call/email them with a description of the problem and they will issue a RMA. if the fan is not spinning it will hit their level one support and most likely issue a replacement. It took me about 2 weeks from the time it arrived at their location to have it back in my hands working.
ALTHON MICRO the company that handles Sapphires in the US have been great for me at least.
I have sent in a few 5830s. You have to call/email them with a description of the problem and they will issue a RMA. if the fan is not spinning it will hit their level one support and most likely issue a replacement. It took me about 2 weeks from the time it arrived at their location to have it back in my hands working.
ALTHON MICRO the company that handles Sapphires in the US have been great for me at least.
Ok thanks - sounds like RMA is the way to go then.
I would just like to add at least for the Canadian division of Althon aside from having to ship it to them you have to pay an administration fee & a freight fee if they have to ship it off to China. The only other company I dealt with for videocards was EVGA and I found they were leaps and bounds above Sapphire.
I would send them in for an RMA.
I have sent in a few 5830s. You have to call/email them with a description of the problem and they will issue a RMA. if the fan is not spinning it will hit their level one support and most likely issue a replacement. It took me about 2 weeks from the time it arrived at their location to have it back in my hands working.
ALTHON MICRO the company that handles Sapphires in the US have been great for me at least.
I have sent in a few 5830s. You have to call/email them with a description of the problem and they will issue a RMA. if the fan is not spinning it will hit their level one support and most likely issue a replacement. It took me about 2 weeks from the time it arrived at their location to have it back in my hands working.
ALTHON MICRO the company that handles Sapphires in the US have been great for me at least.
Okay, so I have 2 Sapphire 5850s where the fans no longer spin consistently (if I move it around with my finger I can feel that there is some resistance to it spinning). Is it best to send them in for RMA or should I try and lubricate it myself?
If I sent it in for RMA what is done? Do they send me a replacement 5850 or a newer model? Or do they just fix the one I send in?
If I sent it in for RMA what is done? Do they send me a replacement 5850 or a newer model? Or do they just fix the one I send in?
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