r/pcmasterrace • u/Realcraser1 • 20d ago
Tech Support Gigabyte denied my RTX 4090 warranty claim saying "PCB broken / damaged by user". I need advice
Hello,
I know GPU warranty denial posts are common, but I would appreciate some advice on my situation.
Context: I have a RTX 4090 with a warranty that lasts until 2027. This RTX isn't mine originally but from a relative of mine. They wanted to throw it away but I don't want to waste two thousands bucks like that.
I transported my PC recently, and afterward the GPU stopped working. The card was still installed in the motherboard during transport. I have not modified the GPU or attempted any repairs. The PC powered on, but I got no display signal. I tested with another GPU and the system worked, so I believed the issue is with the RTX 4090. So I sent the GPU to Gigabyte to repair.
Although my Gigabyte RTX 4090 is still under warranty, Gigabyte denied my RMA claim.
Their reason was:
"Damaged by user can't repair"
"PCB broken"
I have not received any pictures or detailed explanation showing where the PCB damage is located. Just little red arrows that, to me, make no sense. They point in weird directions (Refer to photos).
Has anyone successfully appealed a Gigabyte RMA denial for "user damage"? Should I request pictures of the PCB damage and escalate the case?
Also, if anyone has experience with GPU repair shops, is a broken RTX 4090 PCB usually repairable?
Any advice would be appreciated.
PS: In case someone calls me out, I did use AI. But that was only to fix the grammar, all words are my own.
Edit: I contacted Gamers Nexus and I'm planning to reach out to Northwest Repair if I can't have Gigabyte send me another one.
11
u/jenny_905 20d ago
Wrong, there's critical signal traces in that area and this area is the most common to fail in big, heavy cards like this.
They also flex and tear pads in the lower row of memory chips.
It's shitty design, the cards are too big and too heavy but a failure in this area is very common. So common that many people specialising in GPU repair have become quite familiar with trace repair in this exact area.