Possibly vBIOS faulty RTX 3070 - help needed with repairs

happoman · Dec 30, 2021

Hi, new member here. I was directed here from Finnish forum to ask help with problematic RTX 3070 GPU.

I bought second-hand knowingly defect 3070 card. Seller told me that it probably has something wrong with vBIOS, but he hadn't knowledge to repair it.

Card model is Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3070 EAGLE OC 8G (rev. 1.0)

So the problem is that card is recognized by Windows and it shows in Device manager with yellow triangle on it and it does not give picture to monitor.

GPU-Z identifies GPU as RTX 3070 with right Device ID, but interestingly Shaders, Memory type and size are equal to RTX 3080 card which is not possible.

If Nvidia drivers are uninstalled GPU-Z recognizes shaders right but memory is unknown.

I tried to flash all Gigabyte 3070 Eagle BIOS from VGA Bios Database with NVFlash to card and flashes are successful but Shaders and Memory are still wrong.

I don't see any outside defects on card.

What should I try next? Is it possible that VRAM is defect and that's why GPU-Z information is incorrect?

Other GPU on the system is ASUS TUF 3080, is it possible that GPU-Z picks shader count and memory information from that card?

eidairaman1 · Dec 31, 2021

Does the card work correctly!?

happoman · Dec 31, 2021

eidairaman1 said:
Does the card work correctly!?

No it does not work.

happoman said:
So the problem is that card is recognized by Windows and it shows in Device manager with yellow triangle on it and it does not give picture to monitor.

eidairaman1 · Dec 31, 2021

happoman said:
No it does not work.

Ok what i mean to say is, does it crash in games?

Just Some Noise · Dec 31, 2021

Try to flash this BIOS: RTX 3070. I know its from an ASUS Card, but that doesn't matter. I currently use this BIOS with my OEM card and i know this one works. If you have a programmer like the CH341A with a SOIC8 clamp (these cost arround 20$) you could try to completely erase the chip and rewrite it.

But i actually think it is something different. So the card doesn't even post into the BIOS?

The chip( i think thats the VRM controller?!) on the front, on the lower right corner looks a bit crusty on your picture. Could you make a photo of it a bit closer?

happoman · Dec 31, 2021

eidairaman1 said:
Ok what i mean to say is, does it crash in games?

It does not give any image to screen

Just Some Noise said:
Try to flash this BIOS: RTX 3070. I know its from an ASUS Card, but that doesn't matter. I currently use this BIOS with my OEM card and i know this one works. If you have a programmer like the CH341A with a SOIC8 clamp (these cost arround 20$) you could try to completely erase the chip and rewrite it.

But i actually think it is something different. So the card doesn't even post into the BIOS?

The chip( i think thats the VRM controller?!) on the front, on the lower right corner looks a bit crusty on your picture. Could you make a photo of it a bit closer?

Thanks I try flashing that one. Which chip on the board is the Bios chip if I order that programmer? There is one on the left side and one near right of the main chip.

I'm starting to think that GPU-Z is faultly showing those memory and shader specs from my other card.

This might be a hardware error. Code 43 is shown in Windows Device Manager.

I post more pics and info tomorrow.

basco · Dec 31, 2021

maybe dumb question but are you sure the thermal paste is non conductive because its all over the place.-
so my 1st step iwould be to clean the card properly with isopropanol or other ya like just to be sure.

and 2nd is the volt controller which seems to me has a corner with copper ?
its in 1st pic above the fan plugin which looks like burnt plastic or is this just a blob of glue?? + above the single ground point.

maybe ya can give us a better pic from that area ?

happoman · Jan 2, 2022

basco said:
maybe dumb question but are you sure the thermal paste is non conductive because its all over the place.-
so my 1st step iwould be to clean the card properly with isopropanol or other ya like just to be sure.

and 2nd is the volt controller which seems to me has a corner with copper ?
its in 1st pic above the fan plugin which looks like burnt plastic or is this just a blob of glue?? + above the single ground point.

maybe ya can give us a better pic from that area ?

Just Some Noise said:
Try to flash this BIOS: RTX 3070. I know its from an ASUS Card, but that doesn't matter. I currently use this BIOS with my OEM card and i know this one works. If you have a programmer like the CH341A with a SOIC8 clamp (these cost arround 20$) you could try to completely erase the chip and rewrite it.

But i actually think it is something different. So the card doesn't even post into the BIOS?

The chip( i think thats the VRM controller?!) on the front, on the lower right corner looks a bit crusty on your picture. Could you make a photo of it a bit closer?

I cleaned the PCB with IPA but it didn't help. Don't know why there was thermal paste all over VRAM chips.

Here is a closer look of that Chip in the lower right corner. I cleaned that up also.

This card seems to have almost the same PCB as Gigabyte Gaming OC model. https://www.techpowerup.com/review/gigabyte-geforce-rtx-3070-gaming-oc/3.html
Missing BIOS switch and secondary BIOS chip.

BIOS seems not to be the issue. Flashing is fine and comparing BIOS on a chip and in a file are matching. No issue there.

I think this card has some kind of memory issue. Is it possible to fix this kind of error in a specialized shop?

Deleted member 24505 · Jan 2, 2022

Is this part ok, looks odd

happoman · Jan 2, 2022

Tigger said:
Is this part ok, looks odd
View attachment 230963

Well I guess I have to strip that card again to verify. But I think it looks almost the same as the Techpowerup review cards PCB.

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/gigabyte-geforce-rtx-3070-gaming-oc/images/front_full.jpg

FreedomEclipse · Jan 2, 2022

Not sure if its just residue (marked in yellow) from the thermal pads or if its actual liquid damage around that area.... (marked in red)

happoman · Jan 2, 2022

FreedomEclipse said:
Not sure if its just residue (marked in yellow) from the thermal pads or if its actual liquid damage around that area.... (marked in red)

View attachment 230966

Nice find.

I have to take a closer look.

FreedomEclipse · Jan 2, 2022

happoman said:
Nice find.

I have to take a closer look.

Now that ive read that you cleaned the board with IPA. It could just be residue from that.

Caring1 · Jan 3, 2022

I 'm sure I read somewhere in a thread here early 3070's had a memory issue which was fixed in a later version.

happoman · Jan 3, 2022

I got an offer from specialized shop that they can do the repairs for the price of 180 euros and if it is not possible to repair they only charge 30 euros.

So I'm sending it for repairs. I'll update here when new info is available.

blakeenterprize · Jan 13, 2022

ERROR size difference between file and rom space. isn't that saying the file is of size 0xEAE00 and adaptor ROM space is 0xF6E00, meaning the file is smaller then the adaptor space. which im guessing is the GPU bios. so your missing padding..prolly in the first couple of bits they use as a boot sector.. not sure how to convert the difference into megabytes but if i knew i could possible narrow down what is missing by cross checking all the different standards involved. i would start with uefi ....

happoman · Jan 25, 2022

I got some info from shop.

Two memory chips were faulty and will be replaced. So it was memory issue after all.

Makes me wonder what may have caused issue with two memory chips? One faulty would be just random but two of the 8 chips might be something else. I hope that replacement fixes the issue.

eidairaman1 · Jan 29, 2022

happoman said:
I got some info from shop.

Two memory chips were faulty and will be replaced. So it was memory issue after all.

Makes me wonder what may have caused issue with two memory chips? One faulty would be just random but two of the 8 chips might be something else. I hope that replacement fixes the issue.

Happened on rtx 2000 series as well

R-T-B · Jan 29, 2022

Caring1 said:
I 'm sure I read somewhere in a thread here early 3070's had a memory issue which was fixed in a later version.

If you find a link, I'd appreciate knowing. I have a very early batch 3070, and would like to know if I should be watching for anything.

happoman · Feb 11, 2022

So the repair shop has now replaced memory chips but card still doesn't work. They suspect that the issue is in the main chip.

I guess the card is a brick then.

eidairaman1 · Feb 13, 2022

happoman said:
So the repair shop has now replaced memory chips but card still doesn't work. They suspect that the issue is in the main chip.

I guess the card is a brick then.

Yup. Bin it

System Name	PCGOD
Processor	AMD FX 8350@ 5.0GHz
Motherboard	Asus TUF 990FX Sabertooth R2 2901 Bios
Cooling	Scythe Ashura, 2×BitFenix 230mm Spectre Pro LED (Blue,Green), 2x BitFenix 140mm Spectre Pro LED
Memory	16 GB Gskill Ripjaws X 2133 (2400 OC, 10-10-12-20-20, 1T, 1.65V)
Video Card(s)	AMD Radeon 290 Sapphire Vapor-X
Storage	Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, WD Velociraptor 1TB
Display(s)	NEC Multisync LCD 1700V (Display Port Adapter)
Case	AeroCool Xpredator Evil Blue Edition
Audio Device(s)	Creative Labs Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply	Seasonic 1250 XM2 Series (XP3)
Mouse	Roccat Kone XTD
Keyboard	Roccat Ryos MK Pro
Software	Windows 7 Pro 64

System Name	PCGOD
Processor	AMD FX 8350@ 5.0GHz
Motherboard	Asus TUF 990FX Sabertooth R2 2901 Bios
Cooling	Scythe Ashura, 2×BitFenix 230mm Spectre Pro LED (Blue,Green), 2x BitFenix 140mm Spectre Pro LED
Memory	16 GB Gskill Ripjaws X 2133 (2400 OC, 10-10-12-20-20, 1T, 1.65V)
Video Card(s)	AMD Radeon 290 Sapphire Vapor-X
Storage	Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, WD Velociraptor 1TB
Display(s)	NEC Multisync LCD 1700V (Display Port Adapter)
Case	AeroCool Xpredator Evil Blue Edition
Audio Device(s)	Creative Labs Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply	Seasonic 1250 XM2 Series (XP3)
Mouse	Roccat Kone XTD
Keyboard	Roccat Ryos MK Pro
Software	Windows 7 Pro 64

System Name	ibuytheusedstuff
Processor	5960x
Motherboard	x99 sabertooth
Cooling	old socket775 cooler
Memory	32 Viper
Video Card(s)	1080ti on morpheus 1
Storage	raptors+ssd
Display(s)	acer 120hz
Case	open bench
Audio Device(s)	onb
Power Supply	antec 1200 moar power
Mouse	mx 518
Keyboard	roccat arvo

System Name	DarnGosh Edition
Processor	AMD 7800X3D
Motherboard	MSI X670E GAMING PLUS
Cooling	Thermalright AM5 Contact Frame + Phantom Spirit 120SE
Memory	G.Skill Trident Z5 NEO DDR5 6000 CL32-38-38-96
Video Card(s)	Asus Dual Radeon™ RX 6700 XT OC Edition
Storage	WD SN770 1TB (Boot)\| 2x 2TB WD SN770 (Gaming)\| 2x 2TB Crucial BX500\| 2x 3TB Toshiba DT01ACA300
Display(s)	LG GP850-B
Case	Corsair 760T (White) {1xCorsair ML120 Pro\|5xML140 Pro}
Audio Device(s)	Yamaha RX-V573\|Speakers: JBL Control One\|Auna 300-CN\|Wharfedale Diamond SW150
Power Supply	Seasonic Focus GX-850 80+ GOLD
Mouse	Logitech G502 X
Keyboard	Duckyshine Dead LED(s) III
Software	Windows 11 Home
Benchmark Scores	ლ(ಠ益ಠ)ლ

System Name	DarnGosh Edition
Processor	AMD 7800X3D
Motherboard	MSI X670E GAMING PLUS
Cooling	Thermalright AM5 Contact Frame + Phantom Spirit 120SE
Memory	G.Skill Trident Z5 NEO DDR5 6000 CL32-38-38-96
Video Card(s)	Asus Dual Radeon™ RX 6700 XT OC Edition
Storage	WD SN770 1TB (Boot)\| 2x 2TB WD SN770 (Gaming)\| 2x 2TB Crucial BX500\| 2x 3TB Toshiba DT01ACA300
Display(s)	LG GP850-B
Case	Corsair 760T (White) {1xCorsair ML120 Pro\|5xML140 Pro}
Audio Device(s)	Yamaha RX-V573\|Speakers: JBL Control One\|Auna 300-CN\|Wharfedale Diamond SW150
Power Supply	Seasonic Focus GX-850 80+ GOLD
Mouse	Logitech G502 X
Keyboard	Duckyshine Dead LED(s) III
Software	Windows 11 Home
Benchmark Scores	ლ(ಠ益ಠ)ლ

Possibly vBIOS faulty RTX 3070 - help needed with repairs

happoman

New Member

Attachments

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman

happoman

New Member

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman

Just Some Noise

happoman

New Member

basco

happoman

New Member

Deleted member 24505

Guest

happoman

New Member

FreedomEclipse

~Technological Technocrat~

happoman

New Member

FreedomEclipse

~Technological Technocrat~

Caring1

happoman

New Member

blakeenterprize

New Member

happoman

New Member

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman

R-T-B

happoman

New Member

eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman

System Name	Lenovo ThinkCentre
Processor	AMD 5650GE
Motherboard	Lenovo
Memory	32 GB DDR4
Display(s)	AOC 24" Freesync 1m.s. 75Hz
Mouse	Lenovo
Keyboard	Lenovo
Software	W11 Pro 64 bit

System Name	Pioneer
Processor	Ryzen R9 9950X
Motherboard	GIGABYTE Aorus Elite X670 AX
Cooling	Noctua NH-D15 + A whole lotta Sunon and Corsair Maglev blower fans...
Memory	64GB (4x 16GB) G.Skill Flare X5 @ DDR5-6000 CL30
Video Card(s)	XFX RX 7900 XTX Speedster Merc 310
Storage	Intel 905p Optane 960GB boot, +2x Crucial P5 Plus 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs
Display(s)	55" LG 55" B9 OLED 4K Display
Case	Thermaltake Core X31
Audio Device(s)	TOSLINK->Schiit Modi MB->Asgard 2 DAC Amp->AKG Pro K712 Headphones or HDMI->B9 OLED
Power Supply	FSP Hydro Ti Pro 850W
Mouse	Logitech G305 Lightspeed Wireless
Keyboard	WASD Code v3 with Cherry Green keyswitches + PBT DS keycaps
Software	Gentoo Linux x64 / Windows 11 Enterprise IoT 2024