Is your 1-month-old 1660 Super Single Fan not spinning?
Is your 1-month-old 1660 Super Single Fan not spinning?
I need assistance! I recently purchased a GTX 1660 Super with 6GB of single fan RAM last month. While playing Genshin Impact at medium difficulty, the screen went black even though the PC was still active. After powering it off and restarting, the GPU fans stopped spinning and there was no display. Is this indicating a faulty GPU? I attempted to remove and reinstall the graphics card onto the motherboard, reconnected the 8-pin PSU connector, and it worked temporarily. However, sometimes the GPU fans fail to spin even after these steps. There are moments when they still don’t turn on, requiring me to repeat this process multiple times before they finally activate.
My setup includes two Noctua fans at the top, a RAKK Haliya M-ATX case with mesh front, and I reside in a tropical area. During gaming sessions, CPU performance can reach 90-100%, but GPU temperatures stay within 51-67°C. I also notice screen flickering on the upper portion for brief periods.
I have the following components:
- Motherboard: RAKK Haliya M-ATX (mesh front)
- Case: 2 Noctua fans
- CPU: Intel Core i5-6400 2.7 GHz Quad-Core
- RAM: 16GB DDR4-2666 FURY 16 GB
- Storage: Toshiba 500GB 2.5" HDD (5400RPM) and Seagate BarraCuda 1TB (3.5") at 7200RPM
- Power Supply: SeaSonic S12III 550W, Bronze Certified ATX
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit
- Case Fan: Noctua A14 PWM chromax.black.swap (82.52 CFM)
- Monitor: MSI Optix G241VC 23.6" (1920x1080, 75Hz)
There are times the GPU fans don’t spin at all, forcing me to repeat the process several times before they finally start.
It seems the graphics card is likely malfunctioning. If it's only been a month, you might be able to return it for repair.
ASUS does not reference a '0 dB Mode' for the single-fan Phoenix GTX 1660 Super, which means the fan will keep spinning continuously. '0 dB Mode' typically turns fans off until around 60°C; this feature is common in more advanced two- or three-fan coolers. I think there might be a defective component from the factory. I’m thinking about swapping it with the retailer or filing a return request through ASUS customer support.
I took the unit to the store where I purchased it; they checked it and confirmed everything was fine. They suggested running Left 4 Dead at the highest settings. Their recommendation is to install the newest driver (https://www.asus.com/ph/Motherboards-Com..._Download/) — it resolves the flickering and fan issues I was experiencing. I wasn’t aware you needed to download this, and I assumed updating the Nvidia GeForce Experience would suffice.
It's a bit unrelated, but I'd definitely suggest opting for an SSD.
I checked it at the store where I purchased it; they confirmed it runs smoothly in maximum graphics settings for Left 4 Dead, with no issues. They recommended updating the ASUS driver. When I returned it, the problem persisted—flickering continued and the display eventually shut down, though the GPU fan stopped spinning. Could be related to my RAM or possibly a compatibility issue with 75Hz? I’m wondering if adjusting the RAM speed might help.
It seems unrelated to the flickering problem but the fans on all phoenix models are problematic. The 1660 model uses a fluid dynamic bearing that's too small and tends to fail quickly. The 2060 features a twin ball bearing which is also too compact, leading to overheating and sticking. I've worked with over 30 of these units in a mining operation and replaced around ten before finding better alternatives. Options include installing a slimline PWM fan (15mm x 92 or 120mm) after removing the original shroud, using zip ties or 3D printed mounts, and splicing wires to the original cable. Another approach is aligning the heatsink parallel to the card length so that placing a fan at the front end ensures proper cooling once the shroud is removed.
You're experiencing fan issues with your old graphics card, especially after it stopped working properly. There are ways to help prevent overheating and keep the fans running. Consider checking the cooling system, ensuring proper ventilation, and possibly replacing the thermal paste or fan if needed.