Well, after using my PC for quite a while, I realized that computer is so hot. Especially my graphics cards in SLI mode. I got to admit, the GTX 285 stock coolings are not effective. How do we tell? Here is the answer:
Although nvidia specifies that the GTX 285 can operate up to 105C, it is highly not recommended at all for your card not to operate more than 90C. After all, your graphics card are very expensive and you certainly do not want to fry them.
Is your computer up to the temperature test? Heres how you can test yourself, but first lets look at the system setup:
Hardware:
Intel Core i7 920 (Overclocked @ 3.2 GHz)
Cooler Master V8 Cooler
Asus P6T Deluxe
Kingston HyperX DDR3 1600MHz
Nvidia Geforce GTX285 SLI, 1GB x2:
MSI Geforce GTX285 OC Edition 1GB (Factory Overclocked)
XFX Geforce GTX285 Black Edition 1GB (Factory Overclocked)
Cheetah® 15K.5 SAS 3Gb/s 146.8-GB Hard Drive (Primary)
Western Digital 640GB Caviar Black (Secondary)
Samsung DVD Writer Master 22x
Enermax Galaxy 1000W DX X
Silverstone FT01
Windows Vista Business 32 Bit
Software that you need to test your graphics temperature:
Furmark - One more the most graphics intensive software that stress your graphics card enough to fry your video card.
GPUZ - Although there are much better monitoring software for video cards like eVGA's precision tools and Rivatuner, I would still recommend GPUZ because it is simple and easy to use software for you to monitor your video card temperature. It provides you all the info you need to know about your video card.
How to stress test your card and monitor (Skip this part if you know)? Simple:
1. Open GPUz and click the sensor tab. Here you would see your temperatures. Note that ATI Radeons and Nvidia Geforce have different sensors.
1b. Optional - If you have 2 cards, open another GPUz. Select the sensor tab and make sure you select the right card at the bottom.
2. Start the Furmark program and do the following settings:
3. Yet you are almost done. Let the computer run for at least 15mins (900 secs). If your computer video card hits 100C, I suggest you immediately close the program and shut down the computer and let it cool down. This is not a good sign. You seriously have to do something about your video card.
How do I manage to cool down?
Well, they are many ways to do it. Here are the alternatives:
EVGA Backplate - Limited to some Geforce models only. They are expensive, cost as much as SGD$50. Use this if you have money to spare
Liquid Cooling - Well, this may cost a bomb (definitely more than SGD$100++) and void your warranty, but it is the most cooling method. You need to do a lot of read up on it also.
Artic Cooling Fan - Limited to some graphics card. This is another option, but it does not cost cheap (at least USD$50 and its not available in Singapore). It may also void your warranty. However, it brings down the temperature as low as 23C. It means that your card temperature becomes 57C instead of 81C when on load.
Add a fan in front of your graphics card - This is the cheapest and effectively way of cooling, but you need some space in your case and ensure that your case has in take fan.
And many more. Just google it and you get the answer. ;)
I choose the purchase of additional fan - The coolermaster silent fan, 120mm LED fan @2000rpm. I know many people would said this is not a good fan, but this is good enough because it is cheap, only $12. If you want excellent fan like S-Flex but it costs $25! To me, a cheap and decent fan is good enough.
Here is how I place it, right in front of my video card.
From this:
To this:
Here are the results:
A reduction of temperature as high as 8C. Of course, it is not as impressive as liquid cooling or Artic Cooling Accelero, but hey its a cheap solution right?
Conclusion:
Video cards these days are very powerful, at the same time, it becomes very hot. It is essential that you ensure your graphics card have effective cooling, so that your card can last longer. A simple testing can help you determine whether you need to improve your video card cooling so quickly download those programs and test your computer!
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