Why is the temperature different on my 2 5970s?

[hobib_ali]

When ever I check the temperature on my xfire 5970s they both read different numbers.

Like today when I 1st switched my pc on the main gpu read 33c the 2nd gpu reads 21c?

Why the difference?

And then after a few hours my main 5970 reads about 60c but the 2nd 5970 reads about 40c?

Why is that? they are placed next to each other on a Gigabyte UD7 mobo?

Is there anything wrong?

Anyone else out there running xfire with temperature differences?

 

[d_brennen]

One will be drawing in hot air from the other. Idle temperatures aren't that important, it's the top end

 

[wedgie]

Absolutely normal.

Also, I'd be very happy with those temps, much better than the temps I was getting on a pair of 5970's.

 

[hobib_ali]

hmm the thing is even when I play games for hours on end one is always hotter than the other, I thought maybe the cooler card isn't working as well as the 1st one???


Also is it true that the xfire feature only starts to work when you play games?

otherwise its always just one card working?

 

[wedgie]

The top card will always be hotter, as stated above it will draw heat from the card below it. Even if that wasn't the happening, there's a good chance its ability to cool itself is slightly compromised by the card below it anyway.

And yes, I believe it is the case that crossfire only comes into effect in 3D applications.

 

[Krony]

Also not all cards are equal, some chips are better than others and also some ship with a slightly higher stock voltage than others, then u have thermal paste application to consider, so many variables that u will hardly ever have a pair of cards in Xfire or Sli that are the exact same temperature.

My 580's are watercooled so this takes the "top card getting the warm air from the bottom card" out of the equasion and the bottom card is actually hotter in my system by about 2c at idle and load running the same voltage.

 

[Andy__C]

There's always 2 - 4 degrees between my watercooled 5850's..... i assume the slave card would be cooler as not outputting a signal and possibly some other master/slave card tasks

 

[Louis_Y]

One will be drawing in hot air from the other. Idle temperatures aren't that important, it's the top end

This. If you're really worried, try swapping the cards around. Pretty sure whichever is the top card will be warmer (assuming both cards use the same cooling solution).