NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 cooling issues.

[bLinK]

Hey,

My PC / hardware knowledge isn't the highest so be gentle
I bought a PC about 6-7 months ago I've always had the same problem of it being really loud but I think I've managed to locate the source of the GFX card.

PC Specs :

Dual screens - both 22"
Thermotake frío CPU Cooler
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460
Case: Zalman Z7

I've installed Speedfan and gathered some of the temperatures.
( Both games are on medium graphics )

Idle - 50C
Starcraft 2 - 65C
Call Of Duty 4 - 64C

On idle the PC is loud but once it hits around 60C it then creates a high pitched noise.
Been told by a mate that I should get a cooler, any fans / coolers that you can recommend for me? Or is this all normal for my card.

I wasn't too sure what else to add about my PC specs so just ask if you need more.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Hyburnate]

The idles high, but under loads not :S. I'd buy an aftermarket vga cooler
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-080-TR&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=787

 

[bLinK]

Thanks for the fast reply & the product.

But any idea what could be causing my idle temp to be so hot?

 

[Cleeecooo]

Make sure there isn't any dust

 

[SpoonedurI]

Only your idle temp is high. It might be due to dust or poor airflow in your case. Also check your fan speed. You could bump it up manually if you wanted to.

 

[Cleeecooo]

If there is no warraty on the card/you don't mind potentially voiding it, just take the cooler off and re apply the thermal paste. A new cooler is not needed, but i would get one anyway

 

[setter]

Dual screens will likely be the cause of high idle temps.

 

[Cleeecooo]

Dual screens will likely be the cause of high idle temps.

lol, completely missed that! But 50 idle sounds normal for dual screens

 

[pawl]

yeah i think dual screens usually forces ure card into "gaming" or "3d" clock speeds.
easiest way to tell is to install something like the "GPU-Z" application, this will show u in real time your GFX clock speeds. Install that have a look at the reported speeds and idle temps, then ask windows to only use one screen, you should see the clock speeds drop to really low lvls as it presumes u just need "2d" gfx, that should start to drop your idle temps

My old gtx275 used to do the same with 2 screens, except it would idle at 60+

 

[setter]

Yep, with a single screen my 470's idle in the mid 30's, when i had two monitors running, low 50's.

 

[bLinK]

So would my best bet now be to get the extra fan then, or wouldn't it make that much of a noticeable difference.