GPU Heat

**investigater** · 02-05-10, 01:15 PM

I have a Nvidia (EVGA) 285 GTX..... plays everything I throw at it with minimul heat. ( I adjust the fan speeds for certain games)

Question is, with this new game BFBC2 out my card regardless of fan speeds my temp goes to 90c or 91c steady. In F that is a few degrees under 200! Is this ok for this card or for a GPU to run this hot for hours at a time? Would getting SLI help reduce the heating?

I don't notice anything graphics wise while I play or anything showing a malfunction under these heats but is it ok/normal?

**nsRaven** · 02-05-10, 03:50 PM

A normal "full load" temperature range would be 80-90C. I think most people don't see much past 85C and a lot of people run a little cooler, but at 90-91C, you're still okay if a little on the high side. The max operating temp should be about 105C, not that you want to be there.

SLI would help you, but only up until the point when you reach your new steady state temperature in your case because you're generating more heat with the second card and not getting rid of it as fast as before. So you'd probably end up adding a few degrees C.

That said, your rate of heat transfer decreases as the ambient air temperature within the case increases. Your card's stock cooler has you running at 90-91C regardless of fan speed because that's the best it can do with what it has to work with.

You need to do one of two things, if not both. Increasing the air flow through the case will help reduce your case's steady state temp under load which in turn should help your graphics card maintain a cooler temp. You can also remove the stock cooler from the card and install a third-party cooler and maybe some ramsinks. The third-party GPU coolers are typically more open in design compared to the stock coolers and so better dissipate the heat with adequate air flow.

**WileECyte** · 02-05-10, 03:58 PM

My video card was running at around 92C while playing BFBC2. Most gaming cases have a spot for a side fan. My Antec Twelve Hundred had one, but didn't come with a fan. I added a 120mm fan in the side of my PC that's directly over the video card and it dropped temps by almost 10C (Now I run at around 85C under full load.)

**investigater** · 02-05-10, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by WileECyte

My video card was running at around 92C while playing BFBC2. Most gaming cases have a spot for a side fan. My Antec Twelve Hundred had one, but didn't come with a fan. I added a 120mm fan in the side of my PC that's directly over the video card and it dropped temps by almost 10C (Now I run at around 85C under full load.)

That's the thing though, I have this case which pushes a lot of air everywhere.

My only concern with this MoBo is there just isn't enough room for anything else. I have both slots above and below filled.

I read somewhere in EVGA site that these cards have acceptable temps of 90c under loads which makes me feel a little better but also a little worried I am cutting the life span of my vid card in half, if not more.

I never thought to look for an aftermarket cooler for GPU's much less knowing about them.

It makes sense about the SLI.... IE: adding another card to produce even more heat.

It just boggles me for the simple fact that console games can run this game with no upgrades required. Is it better airflow, better arcutecture in CPU's (45nm), standard requirements to withhold because every unit is made the same.....

Should I think about water cooling, SLI, bigger GPU with more fans.......

What do you guys think/recommend?

**nsRaven** · 02-05-10, 06:25 PM

Hmm, I have to agree, its a tough call. I guess, based on the case, I would recommend an aftermarket VGA cooler. They work, so you're not just wasting money, but I also see your problem with the P6T. If you go for a new cooler, you'll have to figure out the total width of the card plus the new mounted heatsink. Some of them have a tendency to be a bit fatter than the stock coolers. What's in the PCI slot under your video card?

**GReYVee** · 02-05-10, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by nsRaven

Hmm, I have to agree, its a tough call. I guess, based on the case, I would recommend an aftermarket VGA cooler. They work, so you're not just wasting money, but I also see your problem with the P6T. If you go for a new cooler, you'll have to figure out the total width of the card plus the new mounted heatsink. Some of them have a tendency to be a bit fatter than the stock coolers. What's in the PCI slot under your video card?

Very good question. I have an 8800GTX that is in a full tower case, lots of airflow as well. Even than if I place a long PCI card into slot directly below the PCI-e card (such as a tuner card) -- the board from the card reflects the heat and temps go up by a good 5-12° C.

**investigater** · 02-07-10, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by nsRaven

What's in the PCI slot under your video card?

My NIC card. I guess I could take it out for now and use the on-board Ethernet. I'm not getting much use out of the NIC card I have due to the crappy provider I have right now.

**investigater** · 02-07-10, 10:35 AM

I have this case chalked full of fans with this CPU cooler. I know I have good air flow.

**WileECyte** · 02-07-10, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by investigater

Originally Posted by nsRaven

What's in the PCI slot under your video card?

My NIC card. I guess I could take it out for now and use the on-board Ethernet. I'm not getting much use out of the NIC card I have due to the crappy provider I have right now.

Most onboard solutions are as good as any add-on NIC you could possibly have. Free up the slot and see if that helps.

**investigater** · 02-07-10, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by WileECyte

Originally Posted by investigater

Originally Posted by nsRaven

What's in the PCI slot under your video card?

My NIC card. I guess I could take it out for now and use the on-board Ethernet. I'm not getting much use out of the NIC card I have due to the crappy provider I have right now.

Most onboard solutions are as good as any add-on NIC you could possibly have. Free up the slot and see if that helps.

OK, running 47c to 48c with vid card on average with NIC installed in slot with a 24c in case temp. Going to uninstall the NIC and try the onboard. Will report back with any changes.