How Graphics Cards are made - Insane PowerColor Factory Tour

Summary

The video takes viewers behind the scenes of graphics card manufacturing, showcasing the thorough testing process. Cards undergo initial checks, burn-in tests, and reliability assessments to ensure they perform optimally. While 10% of the cards are subjected to a 24-hour burn-in, all cards undergo hour-long benchmark tests. Additionally, aging simulations are performed to predict long-term reliability. Finally, after passing inspections, the cards are carefully packaged for shipment. The video highlights the precision and extensive efforts involved in bringing high-performance graphics cards to market.

Takeaways

• 😀 The graphics card is first mounted on old benches using risers for easier installation and powered up to check if it displays correctly.
• 😀 Only 10% of the cards go through an intense 24-hour burn-in test, where various parameters like serial number, edge, and temperature are recorded.
• 😀 The remaining 90% of the cards undergo a shorter test, lasting over an hour, to ensure they perform well across various benchmarks.
• 😀 Aging and reliability testing are conducted using older models to simulate long-term usage and assess how cards perform over time.
• 😀 The tests are important to replicate the reliability of a card after months or years of use, especially for new releases like AMD's latest models.
• 😀 The manufacturing process involves carefully inspecting the card before it is packaged to ensure it meets quality standards.
• 😀 Cards are packaged in ESD protective packaging before being boxed for shipping, ensuring protection from static discharge during transportation.
• 😀 The factory's setup includes numerous machines and tools that help ensure each card undergoes thorough quality control.
• 😀 The factory team runs benchmarks like 3DMark to confirm the functionality of the cards, ensuring they pass performance checks.
• 😀 The final inspection and packaging process is critical to ensuring that cards arrive at their destination in perfect working condition.
• 😀 The entire process is rushed through to give viewers an inside look at the manufacturing journey of the RX 7900 XTX Hellhound, emphasizing the impressive scale and detail involved.

Q & A

What is the first step in the graphics card production process?

The first step is placing the graphics cards on benches and using risers for easier mounting. Then, the cards are powered up for the very first time to check if they display a signal.

Why is the burn-in test performed on 10% of the cards?

The burn-in test is performed on 10% of the cards for 24 hours to check for any issues like serial numbers, edge, and hotspot temperatures. This ensures that the cards are functioning correctly under extreme conditions.

What happens to the remaining 90% of the cards during testing?

The remaining 90% of the cards undergo a shorter test, running through different benchmarks for about an hour to confirm that they are operational, without requiring the extensive 24-hour testing.

What is the purpose of aging and reliability testing on older models?

Aging and reliability testing is performed to observe how older models of graphics cards perform over time. This helps to understand how the cards will hold up in the long run and predicts their durability after launch.

Why do the factory workers perform reliability tests with cards from earlier in the year?

The factory tests older cards, such as those that have been running since March, to simulate the long-term usage of the cards. This helps assess the cards' reliability and performance over time, especially when a new product like an AMD card is launched.

How long does the burn-in test last for the 10% of cards selected for extreme testing?

The burn-in test for the 10% of selected cards lasts 24 hours, ensuring that the cards are thoroughly tested for reliability under extreme conditions.

What is the final step after the testing process?

After the testing process, the final step is a simple packaging procedure. The cards are subjected to a last inspection to ensure everything is in order before being placed in ESD (electrostatic discharge) packaging and sent to their final destination.

What kind of packaging is used for the graphics cards after testing?

The graphics cards are packaged in ESD (electrostatic discharge) protective packaging to ensure they are safe from damage during transportation.

What is the significance of performing extreme burn-in tests on only a small percentage of the cards?

Only a small percentage of cards undergo extreme burn-in tests to save space and resources. While 100% of the cards are tested, only 10% are subjected to the full 24-hour burn-in to simulate harsh conditions, which allows for quality control without overwhelming the system.

Why is the factory process described as impressive by the speaker?

The speaker finds the factory process impressive due to the level of precision, technology, and machines involved in producing the cards. Seeing the thorough testing and assembly process in person left a strong impression of the effort that goes into manufacturing high-quality graphics cards.