XFX 7950 broken. Need advice on how to proceed

Hello.
I have an XFX 7950 3GB Black edition OC (1 GHz from factory).
I haven't done additional OC on it. The temps seemed fine (around 70°C at max load).

A week ago, I was watching YouTube videos, and without warning, my PC just turnd off, as if the switch on the PSU was flipped off.
When trying to push the power button, on the front of the case, the green power LED would light up for 1/10 of a second and the fans in the PC would start moving for 1/10 of a second; in effect, the PC wasn't powering up.
After I had disconnected the power cables from the GPU, the PC would turn on, the fans would all start spinning and the PC would say beeeep-bip-bip - meaning: GPU problem (as expected).
I then went to my friend and tried plugging the GPU in his PC, the symptoms were identical, aside from the fact that unplugging the power cables from the GPU wouldn't make the PC to power up; it only did so once the GPU was completely removed.

Now, I am running a ten year old nVidia 7600GT in my PC :D

I concluded the issue was most definitely in the GPU.

I have removed the heatsink from the GPU, hoping to find a popped capacitor, or something similar, but no luck there.
Album with pictures here.

I'm posting this here hoping that someone might spot something in those photos my noob ass couldn't (aside from the dust), and to ask for advice what next I should do.
I was planning to stick it into the oven, is that what I should try, or should I try some other things first?

Thanks in advance.

Try sending it back to XFX (thay have lifetime guarantee's) thay may fix it for you or if you are lucky thay may send you a new R9 280

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I don't think they have lifetime warranty, the card that came in the box says:
"All XFX hardware products are supported by a limited warranty. Warranty details vary based on geographical region... " and so on.

The XFX site says:
"LIMITED WARRANTY ON XFX GRAPHICS CARDS FOR NORTH AMERICA (UNITED STATES AND CANADA)"
...
"The limited hardware warranty for Graphics Cards lasts for a time period of two years. "

Also, live in Europe.
Also, the store gave me 2 year warranty.

If you have more info on warranty, please share; I'd like to just switch it out for a new one :D

XFX allways as been known for a lifetime guarantee anless thay changed it for that card (the XFX7950's and HD7970's had a lot of returns because they got so damned hot and cooked them selfs)

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Indeed, I managed to find some info regarding the lifetime warranty thing, and I've written to the support guys.
Thanks for the info!

....luckily, i've already torn it apart -.-

Let's hope for the best.

XFX has a really good warranty, they gave me a brand new 270x after mine blew a vreg after I changed the thermal paste. I would be optimistic about it.

The general rule is that, for the lifetime warranty, you need to register the product within thirty days of purchase.

But, sometimes rules are bent.

As mentioned above, you are supposed to register your product right after buying it. But who knows, they might help you out.

About the taking it apart thing, they let you do that so long as you return it close to stock before sending it in to them. At least, that is what I remember. MY memory might be faulty on that one.

EDIT: Also, you might want to take a look at the backside of the card. That might give you a better view of whatever blew. Then again, you might not be able to see what the problem is at all. I am guessing that there are a few possible reasons. It could be a capacitor or something that blew. IT could be a bad solder point somewhere,. It could be a short somewhere (from a bad solder point or a blown something). You might be able to see it, you might not.

I have registered the GPU right after purchase, because it said on the box to do so :)
I've also sent them a ticket, but it's weekend, so they haven't replied yet.

Regarding the card itself, it does all look ok, nothing looks damaged, so maybe a solder issue; doesn't seem visible.

Anyway, you guys have made me optimistic, the only issue remains, does their support extend overseas.
I guess I wait now.

What make/model/age of your psu? Could very well have been the reason why your gpu died.

LC Power Ozeanos metatron 650W.
It is 80+ bronze certified.
It was on the slightly cheap side though..

EDIT: just got a reply from XFX: no lifetime warranty in Europe.

Did you call them? Most companies will do more if you call them up.

Bugger about the warranty.
That psu (andyson oem) is something I'd heavily consider changing out to a better make/model as well. It has 2x 28amp (best case scenario for the amperage) 12v rails. I'd dare say 1 rail goes to the 4/8pin cpu and the other is left for the gpu (2x 6/8pin cables). Although a 7950 only requires 28amps on a rail, it could be that your rails are far from producing that amount of push, especially when crossloading. Yeah, sorry about the rant but I've seen heaps of andyson units over the years fail, foul parts, etc. If you're keen on a new psu you cant go wrong with anything that uses seasonic as its oem (XFX, some Antec, Seasonic (obviously), some Corsair..)
All the best mate.