MSI R9 280x - too hot?

lhwjud · 2 Jan 2014 at 18:29

Got the MSI R9 280x the other day and have been testing the card. Suspect the card is running too hot - I have downclocked to 900Mhz and yet the card is running at 84C at full load, while throttled to 500Mhz at interval.

There is only a single card in the case, with case panel opened. Room temp no more than 15C.

Any advise? Is this simply a daft card that I should be returning?

Thanks

On Holiday · 2 Jan 2014 at 18:30

Seems okay to me.. I'd worry when it hits 90 or more at full load!

But that opinion is based on my previous HD 5850 and HD 7970.. Dunno if the 290X would run cooler than those. I could be wrong

lhwjud · 2 Jan 2014 at 18:32

It's not hitting 90C as a cap at 85C has been set - speed throttled once it hits 85C.

I have no doubt it will breach 90c if not controlled for.

Matthew.M · 2 Jan 2014 at 18:38

My 290 ran at 94C and changed the fan speed to maintain this temp under varying loads. It'll be fine.

The R9s just seem to like running hot and by default go for quieter running rather than cooler temps.

Mathematics · 2 Jan 2014 at 18:45

That's 23'C hotter than mine whilst mining and I've set my fan speed to 50%, although mine is undervolted using this bios flash:

http://rumorscity.com/2013/12/12/msi-r9-280x-bios-update-to-fix-overheating-and-vrm-temperatures/

Blackhawk69 · 2 Jan 2014 at 18:48

I've got the MSI 280x Gaming Edition. With fan speed set to auto it's never gone higher than 66C even during a long BF4 session.

Uncle Petey · 2 Jan 2014 at 19:06

Matthew.M said:
My 290 ran at 94C and changed the fan speed to maintain this temp under varying loads. It'll be fine.

The R9s just seem to like running hot and by default go for quieter running rather than cooler temps.

This may be an R9, but it's still a 7970

There is definitely something wrong there, especially at those clocks and ambient temps.

I'd send it back. Actually, I'd probably fiddle about and check/replace TIM and reseat first, but that's me

lhwjud · 2 Jan 2014 at 19:16

Forget to say - this has already been undervolted by 90mV.

Blackhawk69 / Mathematics - do you know what is the GPU load for what you have just described? Mine is loaded at 100% which may explain the high temp.

Mathematics · 2 Jan 2014 at 19:19

Mine is running 99% 24/7 mate, max temp is 70'C on MSI AB, most of the time it's mid 60's.

lhwjud · 2 Jan 2014 at 19:26

Thanks Mathematics. Have you ever stress test the card - using benchmarking software or mining? 70c is pretty good for 99% load.

ChrisD. · 2 Jan 2014 at 19:28

All of mine run between 80 and 90 degrees 24/7. I'm not worried.

Mathematics · 2 Jan 2014 at 19:35

lhwjud said:
Thanks Mathematics. Have you ever stress test the card - using benchmarking software or mining? 70c is pretty good for 99% load.

Just mining mate, think I got lucky with this card, my 7990 is in the mid 90's constantly. :eek:

Uncle Petey · 2 Jan 2014 at 19:37

MilanoChris said:
All of mine run between 80 and 90 degrees 24/7. I'm not worried.

I take it they're pretty much sandwiched together?

If so, that kind of highlights that the OP's card has a bit of an issue.

lhwjud · 2 Jan 2014 at 19:37

Mathematics - my stock bios is 015.040.000.000.003435 which appears to be the same as the one on rumorscity.

MilanoChris - many thanks for sharing. Does your card throttle speed, and whether you are able to maintain stable hashrate? Mine is really temperament due to throttling. And there is only a single card unlike your multi-card config.

thefogo · 2 Jan 2014 at 19:39

Yes, that's way too hot for those fan speeds and room temps. Send it back.

ChrisD. · 2 Jan 2014 at 19:44

Uncle Petey said:
I take it they're pretty much sandwiched together?

If so, that kind of highlights that the OP's card has a bit of an issue.

They are, but they're in my garage and it's very cold in there, plus the case is open and I have two 120mm fans directly next to them, one at the front blowing onto the cards and one at the top/back blowing heat out.

lhwjud said:
Mathematics - my stock bios is 015.040.000.000.003435 which appears to be the same as the one on rumorscity.

MilanoChris - many thanks for sharing. Does your card throttle speed, and whether you are able to maintain stable hashrate? Mine is really temperament due to throttling. And there is only a single card unlike your multi-card config.

They all sit between 700-715 if I don't VNC into the computer. Lower than some 280X's, but then again they are undervolted and seem stable at the speed so I don't want to mess about with them.

melchy · 2 Jan 2014 at 22:11

Mine seems to be faulty as well. Graphical corruption after a few days.

Smoogels · 2 Jan 2014 at 22:21

If it's throttling when at stock, send it back (if airflow is not a problem). In my opinion, 84C at 900MHz is not normal on the MSI as most reviews show it running pretty cool. Usually mine maxes out at about 64C at the stock 1050MHz.

It might just be a loose cooler fit or a bad thermal paste application but I'm not sure what MSI are like with warranties if you unscrew the cooler.

andy_mk3 · 2 Jan 2014 at 22:59

That does sound on the warm side, mine is sat at 62°C flat out F@H, never got above 68°C while playing BF4 either.

Drangueos · 2 Jan 2014 at 23:39

If I leave the default voltage and fan profile my card will get up to 90C, using a lower voltage and a custom fan profile they get up to 76C.

Even with 100% fan speed this cards are not that loud, actually I think the fans should run faster at 100%.

This temperatures were during mining.