Cooling issue

mushtafa · 3 Jan 2020 at 11:59

So I'm experience problems of my GPU hitting thermal throttle. I'm not sure what to do next. The only way it'll run OK is with the side of the case off.

NZXT S340, H100 CPU cooler with 4x Noiseblocker PL-2 fans running full speed.
Standard NZXT exhaust fans, one rear, one top.

The Noiseblocker fans are 96m3/h which is 56cfm. I haven't seen many fans more powerful than that https://www.blacknoise.com/datas/downloads/datasheets/TData_BSP120_122012_de_en.pdf

I've either got to find another way to cool the old 390x, or increase air flow within the case.

I did think about finding a better case, but it needs to be small and full ATX.

Any suggestions please?

Webster · 3 Jan 2020 at 12:26

Remount the GPU cooler - remove current thermal paste and put fresh/better one on.

Relentless81 · 3 Jan 2020 at 12:34

Can you mount the AIO as top exhaust to rule it out as the cause for being starved of cool air

z10m · 3 Jan 2020 at 14:11

Relentless81 said:
Can you mount the AIO as top exhaust to rule it out as the cause for being starved of cool air

I don't think he can as it looks like there is only room for one 120/140mm fan.

Relentless81 · 3 Jan 2020 at 14:13

z10m said:
I don't think he can as it looks like there is only room for one 120/140mm fan.

Oh yeah sorry I didnt look closely enough, other than a repaste for the GPU as suggested there isnt much you can do other than start throwing money at it.

Do you have an air cooler you can try or buy a cheap air cooler for the CPU and remove the AIO to see if that resolves it?

Armageus · 3 Jan 2020 at 14:23

mushtafa said:
I've either got to find another way to cool the old 390x, or increase air flow within the case.

I did think about finding a better case, but it needs to be small and full ATX.

Any suggestions please?

- Repaste GPU if not done since owned
- Remove slot cover that is immediately below GPU
- Change slot spacing e.g. move the sound card up 1 slot, and/or move whatever is in the slot underneath the GPU (wifi card?).

- Possibly try disconnecting top exhaust fan / so that less air is sucked out of the top, hopefully pushing more towards the rear (may need a higher CFM rear fan)

- Replace the 390x with something newer and cooler running?

peahead · 3 Jan 2020 at 14:35

A new case with better cooling and airflow should help.

something like this maybe if it will fit in you required space.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/lian-li-pc-o11-air-rgb-midi-tower-black-window-ca-76v-ll.html

mushtafa · 3 Jan 2020 at 15:10

To answer some questions;

I re-pasted the GPU last this week which made no difference.

The H100 can only be mounted in the front. Don't think I have my old air cooler to test.

I'll remove the WiFi card and see if it makes much difference. Doesn't really get used anymore anyway.

The PCI slot covers are holed.

The sound card cannot go in any other slot.

I'll take a look at that case

Armageus · 3 Jan 2020 at 15:16

mushtafa said:
The PCI slot covers are holed.

Remove them anyway.

Also try disconnecting the top exhaust fan - be interested to see what if any difference it makes

Webster · 3 Jan 2020 at 15:17

Surely replacing graphics card / selling old to cover some of the costs would be a better option, pretty sure the card you have runs hot anyway.

mushtafa · 3 Jan 2020 at 15:18

Armageus said:
Remove them anyway.

Also try disconnecting the top exhaust fan - be interested to see what if any difference it makes

WiFi card removed, slot cover left off, top fan disconnected. Will report back.

mushtafa · 3 Jan 2020 at 15:19

Webzta said:
Surely replacing graphics card / selling old to cover some of the costs would be a better option, pretty sure the card you have runs hot anyway.

I looked, but GPU prices are stupid at the moment. Can't justify the cost when the rest of the system is this old

Armageus · 3 Jan 2020 at 15:24

peahead said:
A new case with better cooling and airflow should help.

something like this maybe if it will fit in you required space.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/lian-li-pc-o11-air-rgb-midi-tower-black-window-ca-76v-ll.html

Even a much better case won't necessarily help a hot card like a 390x that much. Chucking lots of fans at the problem isn't really the answer, better answer is to get the airflow where it's needed i.e. over the card.

mushtafa said:
I looked, but GPU prices are stupid at the moment. Can't justify the cost when the rest of the system is this old

Used RX580 for £80-£90 would offer similar/slightly better performance and be easier to cool, you could probably sell your 390X for £60-£70

mushtafa · 3 Jan 2020 at 15:29

I've found a Fury X local for decent money, worth the upgrade? That shouldn't give any cooling issues - I hope

mushtafa · 3 Jan 2020 at 15:41

Armageus said:
Remove them anyway.

Also try disconnecting the top exhaust fan - be interested to see what if any difference it makes

Top fan off, WiFi card out, no difference.

Armageus · 3 Jan 2020 at 15:51

mushtafa said:
The Noiseblocker fans are 96m3/h which is 56cfm. I haven't seen many fans more powerful than that https://www.blacknoise.com/datas/downloads/datasheets/TData_BSP120_122012_de_en.pdf

Worth noting than although they are fairly high in terms of cfm, I might be wrong but I don't think they are particularly suited as radiator fans, as they don't have that great a Static Pressure 1.24mm/H2O
EK Vardar, BeQuiet Slientwings, Noctua all make fans with higher Static pressure that are perhaps better suited - someone more experience with Watercooling/AIO coolers would be able to make a better recomendation than me however.

mushtafa said:
Top fan off, WiFi card out, no difference.

Did the system get any hotter with the fan disconnected though? If not, then it might suggest that there isn't enough intake air (e.g. because you need Fans more capable of overcoming the "blockage" of the Radiator)

mushtafa · 3 Jan 2020 at 16:08

Armageus said:
Worth noting than although they are fairly high in terms of cfm, I might be wrong but I don't think they are particularly suited as radiator fans, as they don't have that great a Static Pressure 1.24mm/H2O
EK Vardar, BeQuiet Slientwings, Noctua all make fans with higher Static pressure that are perhaps better suited - someone more experience with Watercooling/AIO coolers would be able to make a better recomendation than me however.

Did the system get any hotter with the fan disconnected though? If not, then it might suggest that there isn't enough intake air (e.g. because you need Fans more capable of overcoming the "blockage" of the Radiator)

The Noiseblockers were the only fans I had 4 matching to try. They replaced a pair of Corsair SP120 Quiet Edition fans which have a static pressure rating of 1.29, so not much different.
The CPU cooling is fine by the way, only changed the fans in an attempt to increase the air intake.

It didn't get any hotter with the top fan off, as soon as it throttles it sits at 94

Webster · 3 Jan 2020 at 16:40

I have hardly any airflow in my case at all due to the case design (Evolve ATX) and an AIO - My gfx card sits around 50-60 full load.

Just keep your eyes open on the second hand market and swap yourself out to something more efficient etc

mushtafa · 3 Jan 2020 at 16:47

Webzta said:
I have hardly any airflow in my case at all due to the case design (Evolve ATX) and an AIO - My gfx card sits around 50-60 full load.

Just keep your eyes open on the second hand market and swap yourself out to something more efficient etc

At the moment I'm split between trying a new case (like the look of the Lian-Li @peahead posted above, or save up for a GPU. GPUs are so expensive though!

Thekwango · 3 Jan 2020 at 16:56

mushtafa said:
At the moment I'm split between trying a new case (like the look of the Lian-Li @peahead posted above, or save up for a GPU. GPUs are so expensive though!

keep an eye on the MM for a decent, cheap case with better airflow. i wouldn't be buying a brand new case to improve airflow on a gpu that is known to run hot. then continue to save for a new gpu.