Well, the summer is here, and I've noticed my card is idling 10 degrees higher than normal (from 50 to 60). I did have a Thermalright HR-11 Backside VGA Cooler stuck to it, but had to remove it as my soundcard and new Fenrir cpu cooler got in the way. At 100% load the core reaches to to 95 degrees and memery reaches to 120 degrees. Should I be worrying about these temps or are these fine throught the whole summer?
-
Competitor rules
Please remember that any mention of competitors, hinting at competitors or offering to provide details of competitors will result in an account suspension. The full rules can be found under the 'Terms and Rules' link in the bottom right corner of your screen. Just don't mention competitors in any way, shape or form and you'll be OK.
4870 Temps worry...
- Thread starter Orcvader
- Start date
I gave my card a good cleaning, the HAF really sure brings in the dust so fast. Idle temps are now 49 degrees on the core and 74 on the memory. Memory oddly has always been higher ever since I've had the card. It has the sapphire toxic cooler on, and between the cooler and memeory seems to be thermal pads. I've now stuck an extra 80mm fan which focuses the air from the front fan to the GPU fan. Who knew dusting can remove so much heat!
Last edited:
Cleaning does make such a difference. 
I was about to sell my current video card due to increasing idle temps and therefore higher noise levels, and one or two other relatively minor issues but just thought I'd give it a good clean instead of a quick dust. I couldn't believe the drop in temps. Now with lowered idle clocks I can't actually hear it, and this is a 4870X2 we're talking about!
I was about to sell my current video card due to increasing idle temps and therefore higher noise levels, and one or two other relatively minor issues but just thought I'd give it a good clean instead of a quick dust. I couldn't believe the drop in temps. Now with lowered idle clocks I can't actually hear it, and this is a 4870X2 we're talking about! 
Associate
- Joined
- 29 Jan 2007
- Posts
- 731
Glad a good clean sorted your temps! I wouldn't worry too much about if you've caused damage.
To give you an idea, I have one of the hottest version of the cards - the first release single slot 4850 sitting in my media PC - and even that gets up to about 90C on furmark and about 82C in games on the highest temp. Sits at 70C idle!
As for longetivity - high temps I guess reduce life, but this 4850 is still running fine after years of abuse and I don't see that many of these cards die. Overheat without cleaning yes, but die completely not really. I've seen a lot more issues with cooler running 8800 and 9800 series.
So it seems bad solder kills cards more than heat frying the chips.
To give you an idea, I have one of the hottest version of the cards - the first release single slot 4850 sitting in my media PC - and even that gets up to about 90C on furmark and about 82C in games on the highest temp. Sits at 70C idle!
As for longetivity - high temps I guess reduce life, but this 4850 is still running fine after years of abuse and I don't see that many of these cards die. Overheat without cleaning yes, but die completely not really. I've seen a lot more issues with cooler running 8800 and 9800 series.
So it seems bad solder kills cards more than heat frying the chips.
Last edited:
can agree on the cleaning thing, my interim X1950XT was running at 75/90 with the fan sounding like a lancaster bomber when i first got it from the bay.
took the whole thing to pieces and removed what felt like a few kg of dust and now at present in my rather toasty dining room its 55 degrees idle
took the whole thing to pieces and removed what felt like a few kg of dust and now at present in my rather toasty dining room its 55 degrees idle
Certainly a good method. I have used it on my cpu cooler and motherboard and it did the job just fine. Though I found to make a real difference on my video card temps I needed to take it apart was as well as using compressed air.
Last edited:
Associate
- Joined
- 29 Jan 2007
- Posts
- 731
I've been thinking about buying an air compressor for cleaning stuff - I think those cans are rubbish and a bit of a rip off. They loose pressure and always need rests between sprays, plus you have the danger of water vapour.
My only concern of using a proper powerful air compressor is oil residue - I think you can get models that guarantee an oil free output.
Another option are PC cleaning hoover attachments - people say static can kill components using this method. Never had any issues myself - just make sure everything is grounded (case, you and the hoover attachment by touching it on metal now and again) and try not to ram the attachment onto components. Plus side is you don't have to wear a dust mask - down side is compressed air has a much higher velocity and is better at shifting stubborn dust.
These handheld things don't have the power for a good clean, but there may be a good one somewhere out there.
In both these cases, make sure you hold the fans stationary by wedging in a pen before blasting/hoovering! Moving fans generate current!