Hotspot issue of AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX (MBA): Even if several batches of the steam room are affected, thousands of cards start to be replaced

I intentionally waited till I might acquire constant and affordable info from varied info channels; this info could now shed some gentle two to a few weeks from now. Whereas AMD’s assist initially resisted even admitting that this was the hotspot challenge and described the 110°C hotspot temperature as completely regular, the scenario is now far more nice for the shopper.

I wish to take this chance to thank prematurely all those that have supplied me with info within the final two or three weeks, however who, for comprehensible causes, don’t want or are unable to present their names. Nevertheless, I clearly state that each one this info must be thought-about preliminary info till an official assertion comes from AMD and that corrections can nonetheless be made within the talked about figures.

On this context, I really waited yesterday, as a result of an inside assertion got here from AMD (I’ve written a number of instances that I wished to attend for now), however it did not occur. Due to this fact, I see this incomprehensible delay as a chance at the moment to carry some transparency into the matter.

The problem has been recognized for over two weeks and has been communicated (internally) between AMD and distributors. Precisely how the problem will likely be communicated to the top buyer has but to be decided. … AMD’s announcement was initially presupposed to happen at 6pm CET on January 3, 2023, however was delayed. (excerpt from electronic mail)

Let’s first summarize what info is at present recognized. Under I may even quote from my postal correspondence to present one or the opposite determine and to clear up some confusion of hypothesis.

Points with the RX 7900 XTX’s steam room and the quantity of playing cards affected

I’ve already written on the discussion board that I can even ask sources at producers of cooling parts who can totally and independently affirm the preliminary assumptions that the fault is attributable to the steam room. However within the meantime, you need to distinguish between common rendering points as I described earlier on a Radeon RX 7900 XT and a real manufacturing defect affecting solely the Radeon RX 7900 XTX. regardless of. each issues exist (see measurement), however solely the RX 7900 XTX’s functionally restricted steam room It’s a severe sufficient drawback to require RMA. That is due not solely to the hotspot temperature, but additionally to the storage tank, which might warmth as much as 110 °C and thus function nicely above the permissible temperature restrict.

That mentioned, if the 4 to 6 teams I discussed actually do have an effect on the steam room, the quantity of playing cards affected is even within the excessive 5 figures within the worst case. Nevertheless, it doesn’t have an effect on a single card design, solely so-called MBA playing cards (made by AMD). These playing cards are offered each immediately by AMD and thru board companions who should purchase and promote them below their very own labels. Colloquially, such a factor can also be known as a reference card, even when AMD (like NVIDIA with the Founder’s Version) needs to shed among the buttery card picture.

As anticipated, the trigger is the evaporator chamber… A number of batches are affected. Presently, 4-6 batches and 1000’s of graphics playing cards are assumed. Solely MBA playing cards are affected. (excerpt from electronic mail)

After all, one may ask why all this went unnoticed earlier than and why high quality management failed so gloriously. It additionally has to do with the fragmentation of manufacturing and provide chains. Each the chamber and the whole heatsink come lengthy earlier than from a third-party producer and are after all very troublesome to check with out the board mounted. Nevertheless, by utilizing QR codes, all parts could be assigned in a well timed method and in addition subsequently positioned.

If the PVT samples (Manufacturing Verification Check) labored, then probably the most accessible MP (Mass Manufacturing) is sampled. In the most effective case, such playing cards are examined in particular lively packing containers, for instance, at PC-Accomplice, however in vertical set up. After which it turns into precisely what it’s, as a result of the affected steam rooms will not be utterly dysfunctional, however solely kind of restricted practical. Nevertheless, it’s nearly not possible to observe this with detailed exams.

Suggestions from distributors and system integrators

Since AMD determined to take it again and substitute it, a number of hundred MBA graphics playing cards have been returned, based on varied sources. Sadly, this additionally impacts system integrators who should disassemble total techniques to interchange boards. As an finish buyer, you solely see your personal particular person card, however there are a lot of extra teams of individuals affected by such points. Along with the prices of the substitute itself, the accountable events should bear additional restore and logistics prices. To not point out harm compensation and picture loss. The scores in opposition to NVIDIA’s 12VHPWR adapter on the Radeon presentation all of the sudden look like unhealthy satire.

We needed to return over 300 Asus MBA, Sapphire MBA, PowerColor MBA, XFX MBA graphics playing cards to retailers/warehouse/wholesaler…
Full techniques additionally needed to be disassembled for this process. (excerpt from electronic mail)

Trade or refund? AMD affords each

There are actually directions to the related staff to take care of the issue in an lively and accommodating method, supplied that the shopper can moderately clarify or show the related error. The primary playing cards are already being exchanged, and AMD is providing each a cashback and a swap for a working graphics card. Nevertheless, the price of return delivery for a refund is on the buyer’s expense, which, whereas unattractive, just isn’t uncommon.

Finish clients ought to contact the seller or AMD assist immediately. Distributors and shops should ship affected graphics playing cards to wholesalers and warehouses. (excerpt from electronic mail)

The related mail despatched to the related individuals appears like this (names of the events concerned are rendered unrecognizable):

Right here, too, I wish to thank the numerous lively readers and silent customers who’ve returned to me with confidence. Some issues might have been resolved harmoniously by way of unofficial channels, for others it was actually AMD’s unofficial Go! await assist. However thus far I’m not conscious of any case that has not been resolved to my satisfaction. From this angle, it is excellent news for the shopper. Nevertheless, in relation to the price and scope of the complete operation, I would somewhat not know.

Sure, there could also be errors. That is due to the character of the enterprise and the extremely advanced processes concerned. Nevertheless, it’s also the producer’s responsibility to speak brazenly and transparently. Merely following the introduced explanations is rarely a superb resolution. Should you take into account the same old salaries of well-paid advertising, this could really suggest expert and competent individuals who can proactively take care of such conditions. The ostrich is a very fallacious function mannequin from the animal kingdom, in any other case you’d instantly appear like a donkey (pricey one-toed ungulates, please forgive this comparability).

The opposite, not so severe challenge is the aftertreatment of the cooler on some playing cards. The Radeon RX 7900 XT had a number of rendering errors (crooked grinding, bumps) and these errors not seem with acceptable clearances when the bowl containing the mounted fins construction is firmly connected to the physique and isn’t slidably mounted (e.g. NVIDIA and older variations). Radeons that can’t be ignored) with the ability to compensate for inequality with subtle spin by itself. Right here, engineers can be higher off orienting themselves to functioning function fashions (additionally from their very own manufacturing). Type follows Operate and never vice versa.