GPU die cracked from overtightened screws, am I screwed?

I really need some advice because I feel like I just ruined my new GPU. I was swapping out the cooler on my 4080 and got a little overzealous with the screws. Fast forward a bit and I noticed a tiny crack on the die itself. My heart sank.

It hasn’t powered on yet, and I’m terrified to even try. Is there any chance this thing can survive, or is it toast? I’ve seen people talk about delidding CPUs and stuff but never imagined cracking a GPU die with a screw.

Has anyone here accidentally done this and somehow salvaged the card, or is it a total loss? I’m debating whether to RMA if it’s even possible or just accept that I screwed up. Feels like the worst way to learn about torque settings.

Any advice, horror stories, or comforting words would help. I can’t believe I did this

Posted Dec 10, 2025, 3:00 PM UTC

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