ATI graphics card is so loud!

Kerplunk · 6 Dec 2017 at 10:43

Hi guys,

I have recently developed a problem with my ATI Radeon HD6950 graphics card, it is constantly in a "very loud whurr" where it sounds like a hairdryer blowing, does anyone know what is going on. Ive taken the card out, cleaned the dust off and removed dust etc from the fan, reconnected it and still very loud, not sure what else to try...

Any tips or suggestions as it's very annoying having it so loud!

Thanks!

Davedree · 6 Dec 2017 at 10:52

If you run more than 1 monitor it will ramp the clocks and run hotter.
If you only run 1 monitor Download gpu-z if you haven't already and open up the application go into sensors tab and have a look at the core and memory clocks, and specifically the gpu load. It maybe something nasty is using the gpu in the background.

If the clocks are at their proper idle state 250core/150 mem, then it maybe you need to reapply the thermal paste, but save this as the last step to try. If all looks good and it's simply the fan speed is too high try manually lowering the fan speed using overdrive/afterburner/trixx or other overclocked tools..

Kerplunk · 6 Dec 2017 at 11:09

Okay this is what it shows after booting up....

I only run one monitor on the PC

Armageus · 6 Dec 2017 at 11:12

Looks like the temperature probe is not reporting correctly, so the card feels the need to run the fans at full speed.

Davedree · 6 Dec 2017 at 11:31

Agreed looks like the fan controller isn't getting an input.
Or there is a driver issue causing the gpu to see invalid high temps as seen in gpu-z.
If you lower the fan manually in afterburner or something does the fan speed drop?

Aretak · 6 Dec 2017 at 11:31

Yeah, looks like something's failed. The best way to quieten it down again would be to set a custom fan curve using MSI Afterburner, assuming that the fan controller is still working and will respond to commands. It might be difficult to gauge how hot it's actually running with no functioning temperature sensor though.

Kerplunk · 6 Dec 2017 at 11:33

Edit: Posted before I saw the replies!

Is Afterburner easy to use, its not something I would normally use

Orcvader · 6 Dec 2017 at 11:41

Kerplunk said:
Edit: Posted before I saw the replies!

Is Afterburner easy to use, its not something I would normally use

Very easy to use, most of the easy options are sliders and the main interface will show the easier options first.

Would also be tempted to check if AF also sees the wrong temp. Does the temp change when you're running a game?

Kerplunk · 6 Dec 2017 at 11:57

Okay, so ive used Afterburner, moved the fan slider down to 50%, applied it and still the same noise...

Aretak · 6 Dec 2017 at 12:09

That's unfortunate. Looking around, somebody else who had the same problem was able to fix it by running Furmark for a while and getting the card really hot.

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/...ors-are-wrong-it-thinks-it-is-melting.163781/

You might as well give it a try I suppose.

fs123 · 6 Dec 2017 at 12:27

Your gpu temperature reading is incorrect. Try removing drivers with DDU (safemode) and reinstalling. If that doesn't fix it then the temperature sensors on the gpu die are probably faulty. Not repairable afaik.

edit: You could try switching the bios on the gpu to the other bank to see if that fixes it.

Freddie1980 · 6 Dec 2017 at 13:18

Kerplunk said:
Okay, so ive used Afterburner, moved the fan slider down to 50%, applied it and still the same noise...

Will it go any lower then 50%? For desktop/idle you shouldn't need anything more then 30%, games the fan should run around 60%/70%.

Kerplunk · 6 Dec 2017 at 14:40

Aretak said:
That's unfortunate. Looking around, somebody else who had the same problem was able to fix it by running Furmark for a while and getting the card really hot.

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/...ors-are-wrong-it-thinks-it-is-melting.163781/

You might as well give it a try I suppose.

This has fixed it! I ran Furmark, and the readings are now:

So its seems the sensors somehow got stuck I guess??

Thanks for all your help guys

melmac · 6 Dec 2017 at 14:46

Welcome to 2006

Hotwired · 6 Dec 2017 at 14:46

Hah. Furmark was written off as a proper test of GPU power, described as a power virus and I believe both companies have code to detect Furmark trying to overload their cards now.

Anyway the idea that it finds a niche as a tool to un-bork cards is amusing.

nashathedog · 6 Dec 2017 at 14:56

As already mentioned I'd strip it down and clean any dust out as it's obviously an old card and it's likely the heatsink is full of dust. Even if you don't want to strip the card down cleaning it with a can of pressurised air and a hoover nozzle will do the job. I usually use a hoover nozzle (with the hoover on) and a clean paintbrush to clean my PC. A few years of dust can really clog a PC up.

humbug · 6 Dec 2017 at 15:03

Hotwired said:
Hah. Furmark was written off as a proper test of GPU power, described as a power virus and I believe both companies have code to detect Furmark trying to overload their cards now.

Anyway the idea that it finds a niche as a tool to un-bork cards is amusing.

Kerplunk · 6 Dec 2017 at 15:26

Well i'm a happy chappy so Furmark gets my vote for program of the year!

new boy · 6 Dec 2017 at 15:32

You wasted a perfect excuse for an upgrade there

Kerplunk · 6 Dec 2017 at 19:54

I did, I also saved myself a load of cash lol