How hot is too hot?

Hey all,

I mean to ask exactly what i did: how hot is too hot for a video card?

Mine is idling around 64-67, and it jumps up to 85-89 usually when on a full load (degrees in Celcius). Is this really bad? I have good-ish airflow in my computer and am currently running the computer with the side off.

While we're on the subject... what's too hot for a CPU?

-Sam

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ZOMG I LIKE HUGE IMAGES IN MY SIGNATURE WOOOO OH WAIT NOT...

That sounds like it is running hot, but what type of video card and what type of CPU?

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Minnesota Genocide Intervention Network

G6800 Ultra, and a 3.2 Prescott if I remember correctly?

Uh yeh I would say the idle temp is what your max should be. I have pushed my vcard to 75 on testing, then again I have a X800 XT.

You have the stock HSF right? I would expect temps aroun 55C for idling, and 65ish for gaming, maybe 70ish. My prescott will idle around 47C with the Zalman cooler that I have.

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You registered for QuakeCon on April 30, 2008, 6:56 pm. You were # 366 to sign up for QuakeCon!

Well, my temps are for my GFX (6800GT), not for the CPU. The CPU runs fine.

So... what can I do to cool down my vid card? I suppose I need to blow it out... haven't done that in awhile... um... i guess maybe another fan? my computer can be even louder!

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ZOMG I LIKE HUGE IMAGES IN MY SIGNATURE WOOOO OH WAIT NOT...

I would definitely start out with blowing it out. You would be amazed at how much trouble a little bit of dust can cause.

Also you said that you have the side of your case off. You can try taking a desktop size mini fan, and sitting it beside your computer to pull the heat away from it. This usually does wonders for cooling down the internal temps of a computer.

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A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer. ~Bruce Lee

@boats: Don't leak tech secrets! lol
@sam: Your best bet is determined by how well you are with your hands...

If you're pretty good and comfortable you could install liquid cooling with the GPU sink. But be forwarned no one will warrenty water damage (including me).

If you're not comfortable with that (or you don't want to spend that much) you can buy a PCI Fan and install it on the PCI slot closest to the GPU then move any other PCI cards as far from the GPU as possible to keep as much of their ambient heat from the GPU.

Next check your air intake. If you're getting alot of dust in the box see about getting some filters for the intake. Just remember to clean them often.

Also think about putting a fan in the intake if you can. If you're pushing more air than pulling in then it's like having a motorboat at full speed with an anchor in the water. The air won't go anywhere.

If you're still having heat issues then there is a much more serious issue than airflow.

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"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."-Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."-Ken Olson, founder of DEC, 1977.

Here is another great solution to your problem. I have a Zalman cooler that is similar to this on my video card (on my desktop computer).

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Minnesota Genocide Intervention Network

I'll throw this one out there as well, never used it myself but considered it for a while. I like Dave's suggestion better though.

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Hello, World!

I like those, so long as you have the space for them. Even with 5 pci slots, I have one available, and its being over run with my Zalman cooler.

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You registered for QuakeCon on April 30, 2008, 6:56 pm. You were # 366 to sign up for QuakeCon!