AMD promises quick replacements for embarrassing GPU cooling fail
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AMD has confirmed that the RX 7900 XTX graphics card overheating issue is specifically due to the vapor chamber, but has assured us that only a small number of these RDNA 3 flagship GPUs are affected and that any necessary replacements will be shipped quickly.
AMD’s Scott Herkelman, Senior VP & GM of the Graphics division, gave us the new details in an interview on YouTube with computer world (opens in new tab) (marked by video cardz (opens in new tab)).
Herkelman told us that the situation is basically just like overclocking expert Der8auer previously claimed, namely that the main cause of peaking temperature hotspots with the GPU is due to not enough water being put into the vapor chamber (meaning not enough water is to actually cool the whole chip effectively).
This brief change only applies to a “small batch” of graphics cards, Herkelman explains, and a very small percentage of the reference boards out there. Remember that this issue only affects RX 7900 XTX graphics cards built on AMD’s reference design, as custom third-party cards naturally have their own cooling systems.
As for replacement 7900 XTX GPUs, AMD won’t stick around to ship them to affected customers, with Herkelman claiming that “we’ll ship it to you right away.”
If you are one of those people experiencing issues with overheating hotspots on your RX 7900 XTX, you should contact AMD support or the third party graphics card maker you purchased your reference design product from and they will provide a replacement.
Analysis: extinguishing the rumor flames
As we’ve seen this week, there are rumors that this is a big deal for AMD in terms of the number of RX 7900 XTX GPUs affected. So it’s interesting to hear AMD clarify that it’s really only a small percentage of reference cards that get hit. (Herkelman underlines at a second point in the video that “very few people experience this”).
So it seems that the estimates of thousands of graphics cards being hit – indeed, a total of nearly five digits was another theory we saw aired – are off. That said, depending on how many 7900 XTX cards were shipped, a very small percentage (1-2%, maybe?) could be a thousand, or maybe a little more (but certainly nowhere near 10,000).
Another rumor contradicting Herkelman is the theory that AMD is struggling with having enough inventory of replacement graphics cards to send to those returning affected cards. Obviously, the comment about shipping replacement GPUs “immediately” is meant to defuse this chatter.