4870x2 VRM "2" - Which is it ? Can you help ?

[{SAS}TB]

I have a watercooled 4970x2 (well 2) and both have EK Full Cover blocks on

They work fine (despite ATIs drivers) but the VRM temp of VRM "4" (I assume this is VRM "2" on a single card) gets WAY hotter than the rest very quickly.

The memory and rest of the temps are fine (memory 34 33 40 40 idle) the VRMs idle are 37 32 45 56 - As you can see VRM 4 is already a bit higher.

Running Furmark (or any GPU straining benchmark) the VRM temps get to around 58 58 68 120 !!! - And teh 4th VRM shoots there very quickly indeed

I have reseated the card, checked the termal pads, made sure there is good contact - but im not 100% sure which set of VRMs i need to concentrate on - can anyone help ?

Heres the card with thermal pads applied (pre TIM) so im not sure if VRM 2 is the set above the central chip or to the right hand side next to the memory ?

Or am i completely wrong thinking its either ?

Can anyone help? It would me much appreciated

Cheers

TB

 

[PermaBanned]

The problem might not be with your TIM, it might be with your water cooling loop. One 4870x2 is HOT. Two are VERY HOT. Do they each have their own loops? Or do they share one? And please don't say that they both share one with the CPU. How many rads and what size? You'd need a few to keep this lot cool.

 

[{SAS}TB]

Hi

I have two loops

One loop (GPU and CPU) on its own loop on a Thermochill PA120.3
One loop (GPU) on its own loop on a Thermochill PA120.1

I have had another X2 on the single PA120.1 loop and the VRM temp were fine

This x2 (on air) had a slightly toasty VRM2 but not as bad as it is now.

Im sure with some additional (or hicker) thermal pads I can resolve it - but I just wanted to concentrate on the correct VRM as I know VRM 1 is OK (and im happy with the temps).

Cheers

TB

 

[Bubo]

As you say it is very likely to be one vrm which is not making proper contact with the block. If you can't identify which VRM is no.2 from a spec sheet or something then the only think you can do is try an identify it from lack of contact marks. As a last resort you could put a tiny amount of tim on each vrm pad, place the block gently on the card with no force, then take it off and look for which pads haven't transfered some tim and act accordingly.

 

[{SAS}TB]

Thanks some good ideas

Ill pull her out again tonight and see if I can sus is, or failing that pack both out with more thermal pad

Cheers

TB