8800GTS and PSU heat

[NasherUK]

Is it normal for an 8800GTS 640mb to heat the PSU up to around 60c under heavy load?

I'm using an enermax 485watt that I got a while ago. I did work it out to be enough power on paper and it seems stable at the moment (except when I use Vista's low power mode), even though it does get quite a bit hotter than it did with my old card.

Would it be safer to get a e.g. corsair 550 or 600watt?

 

[badbob]

Is your case not expelling enough air? Tried replacing exhaust fan with a higher CFM fan? A reduction in case temps means less hot air going through your PSU.

 

[NasherUK]

I'm using an antec case which has the PSU in it's own section (and 120mm fan, looks like a mini wind tunnel ) at the bottom so it should be ok.

It's only started getting this hot since using an 8800. I want to know if upgrading the PSU would solve it or make no difference as (in theory) my current PSU shouldn't even be at max yet.

 

[Cyber-Mav]

what case you using?

 

[NasherUK]

It's an Antec p180

 

[Greebo]

I'm using an antec case which has the PSU in it's own section (and 120mm fan, looks like a mini wind tunnel ) at the bottom so it should be ok.

It's only started getting this hot since using an 8800. I want to know if upgrading the PSU would solve it or make no difference as (in theory) my current PSU shouldn't even be at max yet.

Maybe no maxed out but take a look at data sheets on your psu or anybody's psu for that matter and you will see that as demand goes up then voltages might drop (on bad psu's) and the heat generated by the psu increases and there is more strain on it.

Rough rule of thumb is that ideally you shouldn't go above more than 60-75% of the maximum of a psu.

In theory you could run a psu at max all day long but I would suggest it wouldn't last long.

I read a round article testing about 20 psu and 3 blew up when they put them on the test system drawing 100%.

Factor in that ideally you don;t want to be over 75% of that and you are left with 363W

See how that stacks up with your figures.

All I think is happening is with your old gfx card you psu ran cool at about 50% say and now you are putting your psu much nearer the limit and hence generating loads more heat.

Personally I'd look at getting a beefier psu.

Have a look here:

http://www.*****.net/content/item.php?item=1359&page=1

And this one might be your psu and you can clearly see fan increases at 300W which means psu getting hotter.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/other/display/psu-roundup_2.html