Nvidia GTX 660 Twin Frozr fans not spinning

[jhonel83]

Lately I had noticed my graphics card are making a very loud noise when gaming. I opened the case and took a look -the fans are not spinning until the gpu reaches a critical temperature, like 90 degrees Celsius, and then it does so at max speed for a short burst, then stops again. As the heat builds up again it does another short burst, and so on.
   The fans spin fine for 1-2 seconds when I start the pc (when I press the power button) then stop. Can't control them with Afterburner. Manual makes them work, but only when I set them to maximum speed. Setting them to under 90% speed seems to have no effect (dough at pc start, they spin quietly, at a normal 30%).
   Nvidia inspector shows correctly the fans are not spinning, as you see in the screenshot. Afterburner is confused and still shows them at 30%, 40% and so on in the graph, like nothing has happened.
   I think this issue is quite recent, I don't remember it happening when I bought the card. I didn't do anything special to it, I cleaned it just once this summer, using a small brush and blowing into it. Even If I did manage to jam dust into one of the fans so it doesn't spin, that wouldn't explain how come neither of them are working properly. I also did a motherboard bios upgrade for my motherboard from this site, but that was fine, no issues caused. I switched back to factory bios now, just to make sure.
   Note I checked my power source is not faulty by plugging the card into another pc. It displays the same issue as well. Yes, I also made sure the pci-e cable is connected fine.

   I've seen plenty of topics with some bugs regarding these cards that makes them behave like so. In all the threads, the solution was an update to the gpu bios. I don't trust external sources for this -can I have a solution for my card model, please?

Name: Nvidia GTX 660 Twin Frozr
S/N: 602-V287-050B1305065285
Part number: N660 TF 2GD5/OC
Current gpu BIOS: Version 80.6.28.0.39

 

[flobelix]

That is a hardware defect. The fan bearings are bad, that happens unfortunately. RMA the card if still under warranty. If not you can find replacement fans fairly easy on ebay. MSI sadly doesn't sell spare parts

 

[jhonel83]

If the fan bearings are bad, why does it spin normally when the pc starts up? And let's assume they are indeed bad -the card has 2 fans. What are the chances both break up at the same time? I would expect at least one to keep working normally. They behave in syncron - either both spin normally or both stop. They don't make any noise when working, thought at 100% they are quite scary (as expected)

 

[flobelix]

They will only spin at maximum fan speed setting because the bearings are getting stuck and need a lot of force to start. It can happen to one or both.

 

[jhonel83]

But they DO spin at normal speed at pc startup, even though it's for a short time.
Anyway - for sollutions,
                          1)My warranty just expired 5 days ago (purchased 3 years and 5 days ago). I don't suppose MSI might migh surprise me and still repair it under warranty, right? Pretty please?
                          2)If not, first off I want to try and replace the firmware/bios, IMPORTANT:* please point me to a clean version, that you know it's trusted*. Any risks of totaling the video card this way, or you can always revert?
                          3)If that fails I intend to try and oil the bearings, before going out and buying new fans. What oil do you recommend?
                          4)If all else fails do I need to buy brand-made fans, or anything of the same size and bearing do?

 

[flobelix]

But they DO spin at normal speed at pc startup, even though it's for a short time.
Anyway - for sollutions,
                         1)My warranty just expired 5 days ago (purchased 3 years and 5 days ago). I don't suppose MSI might migh surprise me and still repair it under warranty, right? Pretty please?
                         2)If not, first off I want to try and replace the firmware/bios, IMPORTANT:* please point me to a clean version, that you know it's trusted*. Any risks of totaling the video card this way, or you can always revert?
                         3)If that fails I intend to try and oil the bearings, before going out and buying new fans. What oil do you recommend?
                         4)If all else fails do I need to buy brand-made fans, or anything of the same size and bearing do?

1) No way, it is also 3 years from manufacturing not buying. They might repair it at your expense. Ask if you want to try: >>How to contact MSI.<<

2) Flashing a vbios is useless. If you want to try none the less add a copy of your current vbios. The gpu-z numbers aren't a real vbios version.

3) That is useless. Twin Frozr fans if bad are usually beyond repair. If you want to try google about it.

4) You need to buy a set of Twin Frozr III fans. There are kits ready for replacement on eaby like already said.

 

[jhonel83]

I didn't get the current vbios from gpu-z, I got it from Windows advanced adapter settings. Here, I'll post a screenshot. The version is 80.6.28.0.39
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[flobelix]

No, as I said these numbers are useless. I need the vbios saved to file.

https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/167763

 

[jhonel83]

the bios .rom saved by gpu-z:
https://ufile.io/82b6
I know it's a pain in the butt waiting for 13 seconds, but it's the fastest solution I could come up with.
the .txt Nvflash is supposed to be creating is ... empty, so there's no point in uploading that.
The S/N again: 602-V287-050B1305065285

 

[flobelix]

You are already using the latest legacy vbios (NV287MS.204). You can try the latest UEFI/GOP vbios but as said don't expect any different result.

Decompress the attached .rar archive with Winrar: http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm

Then flash the desired file with Nvflash for dos: http://www.guru3d.com/files_details/nvflash_download.html

To do so rename the included file to .rom and create a dos bootstick (https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/165175)

Put nvflash and the vbios file on it and boot from the stick. Then type nvflash -4 -5 -6 gop.rom (if renamed vbios that way) and hit enter. Confirm the questions and let the tool flash.

[attachthumb=1]

 

[jhonel83]

You sent me back the same bios I sent you. I'm pretty sure you made a mistake.
Nvflash in dos is saying something like:
Replace bios version xxx.x.x.x.x
with
EXACTLY THE SAME VERSION AND NUMBERS
press y to accept

Please send me the correct file please.

 

[darkhawk]

You sent me back the same bios I sent you. I'm pretty sure you made a mistake.
Nvflash in dos is saying something like:
Replace bios version xxx.x.x.x.x
with
EXACTLY THE SAME VERSION AND NUMBERS
press y to accept

Please send me the correct file please.

Please re-read what he said.
You had the legacy bios. He provided the UEFI/GOP vbios.
Yes, they have the same version number. However, one is a legacy VBIOS, the other is a UEFI/GOP compliant VBIOS.

If you actually compared both files, you would see that they are not the same file. They just have the same version number.

 

[jhonel83]

I quote:
Current :             -Version: 80.06.28.00.39 ID:10DE:11CO:14:62:2871
                            GK106 Board - 20300000 (Normal Board)
Replace With -   -Version: 80.06.28.00.39 ID:10DE:11CO:14:62:2871
                            GK106 Board - 20300000 (Normal Board)
Press "y" to update bla bla...

Nvflash compare also shows it's the same thing. I figured the different file size comes from format.
Not trying to be disrespectful, I appreciate the time you spent trying to help me, but to me it looks like I'm replacing the bios with the same bios. Can't fault me for thinking that, right? I'll take your word for it, you gave me the right firmware.
Also I'm aware you're just a forum moderator, but I'd love to strangle someone at MSI or Nvidia for selling me a crap product. You pay more then 300 bucks for a video card and 3 years and 5 days later it becomes a useless piece of junk. Also there's no solution for me because the RMA is 3 years, and nothing above. Also I can't contact MSI because the RMA for Europe does not contain a page for Romania.
I'll just leave my frustration at that, I vented enough. You may close the thread.

 

[flobelix]

jhonel83, we have some more knowledge about this stuff than you have obviously. Sorry to put it that way but your posts doesn't leave another chance to do it. I told you several times by now that these numbers are NO real vbios version. It is just the nvidia core the manufacturer specific vbios parts are based on. The same "version" listed by gpu-z or similar can cover various totally different manufacturer vbios versions. Like in this case as one is the legacy vbios version NV287MS.204 and the other and recently provided is UEFI vbios NV287MH.201. Besides a fan is bad, not the card. A replacement is about 25 ?...

 

[jhonel83]

I insisted so much on the bios because the fans never displayed the symptoms you would expect from bad bearing - no rattling sound, no vibrations and it still spins at normal speed very silent when you start the pc. I figured it must be a faulty controller or some corrupted software instructions, or maybe even dust accumulating behind that big shield that obstructs all the inner workings. I went with your solution anyway, I ordered a new fan kit, I'll keep you updated if it works when they (eventually) arrive. I'm not very optimistic, dough...

 

[uscason]

Hey,

I am having exactly the same problem you've described here. Have you found any solution yet by any chance?

I can confirm that it is definately not a bearing problem or event the fan problem at all. Fans run smoothly when connected to any other power supply with a speed control. 

When I use manual fan speed control in afterburner it simply doesn's start the fans until I sent them to 86% or more....

Same issue reported here: 
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2323732/gpu-hitting-100-kicking-fans.html

 

[jhonel83]

As you can read above, everybody is CONVINCED it's the bearings. I already ordered new fans, they're due to arrive in two weeks or so. I'll post an update if that solved anything here (if the topic doesn't get locked by then)

 

[jhonel83]

After the fans finally arrived, I installed them and everything is in order. Things to look out for: a part of the heatsink is blocking a screw on my particular model, leaving no space for a screwdriver. That made it a pain in the [***CENSORED***] to open -thanks MSI, grumble. Also the pin connector for the fans was "glued" to it's socked, due to temperature, dust and rust. Had to use my manly powers to gently pull it out. Hope this helps any future "handy-man"

 

[flobelix]

Well done!

 

[severian159602e0]

Thank you for this thread. I have the same issue with my old N660. I even started looking for a new GPU, but they are insanely expensive now. I don't really play a lot these days, so with about $9 I should be able fix my current card and extend its life.