Cooling question. What is too hot? (6800GT) | Forums

[F19_Ob]

I have an 6800GT graphicscard.
If I understand correctly, cooling is very important.
I tried to find info on what tempratures was ok but couldn't.
I can't afford to replace it if it breaks so I must be careful with it, hence my questions.

There are two temperature parameters for my card:
one for "surrounding temperature" (translation from swedish) wich is 46 Celsius.
The other above says; GPU processor temperature 63 celsius.
And this is when idle on desktop.

When I play il-2 for several hours online the processor temperature goes up to 79-80 Celsius.

Is this 80'Celsius ok, or is it too hot?

[-HH-Quazi]

The two temps that have more significant meaning are the idle temp(65C), and the load temp 80C(while you are playing). Now the other temp, lets call it your case temp which you said is 48C, effects the other two temps. 65C idle and 80C load temps are a bit to warm imho, but still within reason. But, they can stand to be a little cooler. One way to do this is to lower your case temp, which means obtaining better air flow. Just to see if this is true, remove the case side and, if you can find a fan to blow air inside while you are playing, do this and re-check both temps. If they are much cooler, then you should look into getting better air flow inside your case to expell the heat that your computers components generate. As it stands right now, your current temps are warm, but not to extremely hot.

Now this opininion is coming from an ATI user. I am sure if I am wrong in my asessment, one of our Nvidia users will chime in and let us both know.

[B16Enk]

115C is top temp, core will slow down after that.

Cooler running is better on the components, but there has been some improvement in either the running temps or the reporting of them with later firmware/bios.

Check with your 6800 manufacturer and see if they have released a BIOS update, if they have apply it (you will need a utility from them to flash the BIOS).

[BelaLvgosi]

http://www.daionet.gr.jp/~masa/rthdribl/

Download this program to check your temps and let it run for some 15min, it will heat up a lot, maybe more than you use to see if you alt tab in il2.

My 6800gt heats up a lot, with stock cooling it goes up to 83âºC (stock clock, maybe 2-3 higher @ultra), using an nv silencer 5 rev 2 I can only get it down to 76âºC @ultra, some 73âºC stock. Altough the case temp is in the mid 30's, the gpu's ambient reading can go up to 60âºC!
If you go to an aftermarket cooler, I'd recommend the zalman 700cu instead.

(btw, my case big and well ventilated, If I full pump the 4 37cfm fans and set both psu fans at max, temps are the same)

[F19_Ob]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I'll try learn more about this.

Would 79-80'Celsius damage the card in the long run or can it happen soon?

[Armhunter]

I am running a SLI setup with two 6800gt's, Because of the two, they always reach 80â?C. I even have a large fan blowing on them.
80â?C is a little high for most people. But honestly, its not high enough to do ANY damage what so ever!.. Here is a little diagram for you..

No long term damage unless you run it at or very near the max for a long time..

What Happens Celsius (â?C) Fahrenheit (â?F)
Water Freezes..........0â?...............32â?
Human Body Temp......37â?..............98.6â?
Water Boils............100â?..............212â?
gForce2 MX Max Temp..125â?.............257â?
Paper Burns...........232.7â?.............451â?
Silver Melts............962â?............1764â?