Video Card temps

[bosox188]

My card (sig) has been getting way too hot lately, it idles at 84-87C with the fan set to auto, and with the fan at max it idles at about 76C. I can't play most new games for long without the computer shutting down on me, I've seen it hitting 112C on load and beyond with the fan at max.

I know the 4850's don't have the best fan, but it used to idle at a much more acceptable temp, I can remember 60C when I first got it with the fan on auto. The rest of the case is fine if not a tad on the warmer side, the E7200 overclocked is idling at 31C and the system temp reading is 36C. I've cleaned the case out gotten rid of dust etc, with a minor improvement but not enough to really change anything.

I've wanted to get a fan for it for a while now, and I've planned on buying this:

http://www.arctic-cooling.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2_&mID=101

but I have to wonder why the temps have shot up so much. I may also buy a new case since mine, while serviceable, isn't any thing spectacular. Any suggestions on a nice, quiet and cool case? I'd like to keep it under $200, and the cheaper the better.

 

[PimpinPenguin]

When i got my HD4850 it was idling at 40C and still does. Even when it's fully overclocked on full load it never goes above 75C. So i think you do need a new fan. Have you tried removing fan and giving it a good clean? some times that helps.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

Yeah try give it a good clean first, the heatsink might be full of crap. Does your HSF for your CPU get dirty quickly? Or the general inside of your case? If so you might want to think about fan filters (which are pretty cheap) or a new case as you suggested.


The new cooler you linked is actually one I bought for my 8800GT which I installed about 2 months ago. My previous temps on idle averaged around 74C (which is normal for my OC2 version) and load around 81 (with lots of fan noise). I now idle at around 40 and go near 50 on load, the cooler is so damn quiet and efficient.

Note, the heatsinks thermal tape is poor so I bought some proper akasa thermal tape and replaced it. I also bought thermal cleaning fluids to remove the previous thermal paste on the GPU, vrms etc. The cooler comes with pre-applied thermal paste which is very good.

 

[AiM]

I had pretty much the exact situation as OP except mine was a HIS 4850. I took it to their tech center and they quickly took it in to fix the card, just haven't had the time to pick it up yet. Seems like it's a fairly common problem for the 4850 series so I'd suggest you do the same.

 

[Asus]

The default fan is set really low. So it could be just an extreme case of that. But I thought they released a driver update or for the bios to increase fan speed or allow fan control or something?

Those temps are really high for idle. Yet your CPU temp is fine so I'm assuming your room temp is not hot either.
It could be the fan is not working right. Set to max speed and look in the case. Is it spinning fast or does it seem bogged down (broken or too much dust).
Although it could also be just a bad card (fan works and everything) but it just leaks a lot of power and therefore heat. A new cooler wouldn't help in this case.

edit
If you do get another cooler you may want to check out some that push that hot air out of the case rather than just stir it up. Meaning the air doesn't get recycled to cool the CPU.
Something like this.

 

[bosox188]

Yeah I've seen the Akasa and I was considering that as well, I like it since it's the style the old AC's used to be. The only other concern is that the VRM's on the 4850 are supposedly not covered by a new cooler like the AC or Akasa, how can I resolve that? Are there heatsinks or something I can buy somewhere?

 

[unozero]

rivatuner doesn't work with ATi?

 

[PimpinPenguin]

rivatuner doesn't work with ATi?

You don't need rivatuner, as the Ati Overdrive in the Catalyst Control Centre allows you to set fans speeds and clock speed etc.

 

[Asus]

I'm not sure how much they need cooling. I know some manufactures don't put anything on them.
I have heard some just cut the VRM heatsink part of the original ATI cooler and keep it mounted with the sticky thermal pads.

 

[bosox188]

Well I put the AC Twin Turbo on today and the results are incredible:

Stock cooler

Idle 80C
Load for most modern somewhat intensive games eventually shuts down, goes over 110C


AC cooler

Idle 33C
Load 42C

I've never seen a difference like that in my life. I checked the stock cooler when I took it out and it didn't even have a problem with dust stuck in the heatsink.

 

[Asus]

It could have just not been making proper contact with the chip. But a lot of people replaced their coolers with the 4850. The one you got looks like it should keep it cool. And even if one fan dies you still have a second! hehe