an "Oh *****" moment

[jcll2002]

I just reinstalled my gpu waterblock on my 7900gt because i installed it backwards meaning that the barbs were pointed towards the mobo. I cleaned off the ceramique and i thought there was alittle left because there was alittle white (or reflection i cant really tell) on the corner of the core. I couldnt rub it off and it came to me that it might be a chip. Its really really small and may indeed just be some ceramique. I dont know how that could happen because I was careful, but its a possibility. I think the only thing left to do is finish the installation and pray to god that it works.

If it doesnt, could I just RMA it? :):) Its an eVGA

[White_Pawn]

evga's policy is very slack. I believe you can replace the cooler and they will still cover it. The only thing, is if you overclocked it or not. Being said, they can't tell if you overclocked it or not. If you really want to return it, i don't think they can stop you. Up to you really.

[jcll2002]

even if there is physical damage to the core?

Also, does anybody happen to have a pic of a chipped core?

[bchur83]

If it is Ceramique, you have nothing to worry about. Ceramique is not conductive, so if it is contacting something electrical, it wont matter.

[jcll2002]

If it is Ceramique, you have nothing to worry about. Ceramique is not conductive, so if it is contacting something electrical, it wont matter.
yeah i know...

I think i just chipped the core though... hope not

[White_Pawn]

hmm. i don't know if they will rma if they pop off teh hsf and see a bunch of whtie stuff everywhere. lol. can always give it a try though.

[JigPu]

Daaang EVGA has a nice warranty! I was just about to post about how it would probably be against their RMA policy (since this is a fairly common question), but apparently it isn't (http://www.evga.com/support/lifetime/). To quote their lifetime warranty:

This lifetime warranty is valid for the life of the retail product, so long as the original purchaser owns the product, based upon the following conditions:
Lifetime Warranty is for all retail Graphics Card and Mainboard products ending in the part numbers AR, AX, BR*, BX*, DR, DX, FR, FX, SG, SL, or S2.
* [Replacement products are shipped out as –BR or –BX and will carry the same lifetime warranty that your original purchase had based on your registration.]
There is no physical damage to the PCB, GPU/chipset, or components.

ZOUNDS!

It sounds like ceramique to me (I've never chipped a core, but I don't think it'd be white), so even if you did kill the card, you should be good to RMA it!


EDIT: Wait... You said you have a 7900GT. Now I've got to find the rest of their warranty info (since "GT" isn't covered by the lifetime warranty :()

EDIT #2: OK, looks like it's still kosher (though they may charge you [doubtful from the other posts here though]). A bit further down the warranty:
EVGA reserves the right to claim for shipping fees along with a service charge* from the customer for any incomplete or modified product that is returned and requires repair or replacement, or when the customer is not entitled to any coverage under this lifetime warranty.

JigPu

[jcll2002]

also it says "any product that was purchased after june 2005 will have a lifetime warranty" :)

Its good because I have the original heatsink with the thermal grease on it :) I can just take off the ceramique and put the hsf on and it will be as good as new (you know what i mean).

I just hope it isnt chipped in the first place. Will even a really small chip on the corner of the core fux it up?