I watch a GPU repair guy and its interesting to see the different failure modes... * memory IC failure * power delivery component failure * dead core * crac

I watch a GPU repair guy and its interesting to see the different failure modes... * memory IC failure * power delivery component failure * dead core * cracked BGA solder joints on core * damaged PCB due to sag These issues are compounded by * huge power consumption and heat output of core and memory, compared to system CPU/memory * physical size of core leads to more potential for solder joint fracture due to thermal expansion/contraction * everything needs to fit in PCIe card form factor * memory and core not socketed, if one fails (or supporting circuitry on the PCB fails) then either expensive repair or the card becomes scrap * some vendors have cards with design flaws which lead to early failure * sometimes poor application of thermal paste/pads at factory (eg, only half of core making contact * and, in my experience in aquiring 4-5 year old GPUs to build gaming PCs with (to sell), almost without fail the thermal paste has dried up and the card is thermal throttling