Good temperature for my GPU?

[TheMaestro]

I have an nVidia 8800 Ultra. When I touch the metal part of the infrastructure, it's so hot I almost burn myself. Between what range of temperatures (idle and load) should my GPU be in for it to be safe and reliable (and not considered defective)? I'll measure the actual temps tonight, but I'd like to get some feedback first. Thanks in advance.

 

[commandercup]

80-90 max on load, these cards get quite hard (thus the two slot reference cooler)

don't touch the metal parts of the heatsink... they are hot for a reason

 

[TheMaestro]

Thanks, that was helpful. Wow, 80C-90C is really hot. Will the GPU break down faster with those kinds of temps? What about idle temps?

Can you recommend software to measure the temps? I agree that the touch test isn't too smart or accurate. :happy:

 

[commandercup]

atitool is amazing, it even heats up the card to load for you (3d view)

google it and download the latest version, open up the 3d view and wait for your card to cook (the little graph will plateau when its max temp)

tell me what you see and we'll go from there

 

[Preacher]

Everest checks your temps.

 

[TheMaestro]

Everest? Where do I download it?

 

[jonny_uk]

Download EVEREST Home Edition 2.20 - filehippo.com