Hi all.
You're probably familiar with the GeForce 9800 GX2 graphics card. It's kinda been described as two 512MB graphics cards sandwiched into a single block which give a total of 1GB of vid RAM (with multi GPU enabled in nVidia control panel). And, the GX2 can give off a fair amount of heat.
I've done searching on the 'Net on what's considered an "average" temp for the GX2 when idle. On the various pieces of information I've come across, it always seems to be much lower than what I have.
My average idle temps always seem to be around 70 to 75C; from what I've heard and read, this seems to be a little warm for idle. I know various things can effect temps, like ambient temp, etc.
My computer case is a full tower Coolermaster 932 HAF. This thing has got some massive fans on it (4 total: Front & side intake, and rear & ceiling exhaust). I've had the GX2 not quite a year yet and am basically pleased with it......but the temps worry me.
So I wrote to BFG Tech from where I got my 9800 GX2, and without coming right out and telling them my idle temp, I asked what's an overall average idle temp, given my ambient temp of around 22 to 25C. I was told that 55C is average for the GX2.
I don't think I've ever seen my card at 55C during system idle. The only time I would get that kind of temp is if I checked my GPU temp right after booting.
The other day I installed and loaded up Far Cry 2. I watch the long intro movie sequence, and then play the game for just a little bit. I exit the game, check the temps, and both GPU's are in the high 90's, about 97 & 98C. I'm aware that the GX2 can hit 100C.......but usually after hours & hours of gaming; I had just started Far Cry 2!!!!
Anyway.....BFG Tech was good about it when I contacted them. They've got that lifetime warranty thing, so they approved an RMA on it. But I wanted to check some things and get your take on it:
I don't think I've ever actually read it anywhere or seen it, so.....Even though the GX2 is two graphics cards sandwiched into one, does it have two fans between the GPU's.....or just one fan?
And how about this: The side case fan on my HAF case is an intake fan, blowing air into the case, and the GX2 card is right near here. But, the GX2 has vents on the side of it that are blowing heated air out, correct? So is my side case fan blowing air in "fighting" it? Are they at odds with each other?
I remember coming across something on the 'Net once about this, and somebody somewhere showed a pic of the GX2, and how the heated air from it blows out, so what they did was take their side case fan and reverse it, in essence, to take the hearted air from the GX2 and exhaust it out. Here's the link from overclock.net:
Possible Solution to 9800 GX2 high temperatures? - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net
Think there's anything to this? When I get my replacement GX2, should I give this a shot?
Even though I've been able to play games pretty smoothly on this GX2, the temps have always worried me. Occasionally I've experienced system locks & reboots, which, I'm fairly certain, were probably due to the GX2 pumping out a lot of heat (I've come across this info, too, on the 'Net). My current GX2 is probably faulty, so it's a good thing that BFG Tech is RMA'ing it.
So please let me know.....does the GX2 have two fans or just one between the GPU's? And how about reversing the side case fan when I get the replacement GX2.
Thanks!
Pez
You're probably familiar with the GeForce 9800 GX2 graphics card. It's kinda been described as two 512MB graphics cards sandwiched into a single block which give a total of 1GB of vid RAM (with multi GPU enabled in nVidia control panel). And, the GX2 can give off a fair amount of heat.
I've done searching on the 'Net on what's considered an "average" temp for the GX2 when idle. On the various pieces of information I've come across, it always seems to be much lower than what I have.
My average idle temps always seem to be around 70 to 75C; from what I've heard and read, this seems to be a little warm for idle. I know various things can effect temps, like ambient temp, etc.
My computer case is a full tower Coolermaster 932 HAF. This thing has got some massive fans on it (4 total: Front & side intake, and rear & ceiling exhaust). I've had the GX2 not quite a year yet and am basically pleased with it......but the temps worry me.
So I wrote to BFG Tech from where I got my 9800 GX2, and without coming right out and telling them my idle temp, I asked what's an overall average idle temp, given my ambient temp of around 22 to 25C. I was told that 55C is average for the GX2.
I don't think I've ever seen my card at 55C during system idle. The only time I would get that kind of temp is if I checked my GPU temp right after booting.
The other day I installed and loaded up Far Cry 2. I watch the long intro movie sequence, and then play the game for just a little bit. I exit the game, check the temps, and both GPU's are in the high 90's, about 97 & 98C. I'm aware that the GX2 can hit 100C.......but usually after hours & hours of gaming; I had just started Far Cry 2!!!!
Anyway.....BFG Tech was good about it when I contacted them. They've got that lifetime warranty thing, so they approved an RMA on it. But I wanted to check some things and get your take on it:
I don't think I've ever actually read it anywhere or seen it, so.....Even though the GX2 is two graphics cards sandwiched into one, does it have two fans between the GPU's.....or just one fan?
And how about this: The side case fan on my HAF case is an intake fan, blowing air into the case, and the GX2 card is right near here. But, the GX2 has vents on the side of it that are blowing heated air out, correct? So is my side case fan blowing air in "fighting" it? Are they at odds with each other?
I remember coming across something on the 'Net once about this, and somebody somewhere showed a pic of the GX2, and how the heated air from it blows out, so what they did was take their side case fan and reverse it, in essence, to take the hearted air from the GX2 and exhaust it out. Here's the link from overclock.net:
Possible Solution to 9800 GX2 high temperatures? - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net
Think there's anything to this? When I get my replacement GX2, should I give this a shot?
Even though I've been able to play games pretty smoothly on this GX2, the temps have always worried me. Occasionally I've experienced system locks & reboots, which, I'm fairly certain, were probably due to the GX2 pumping out a lot of heat (I've come across this info, too, on the 'Net). My current GX2 is probably faulty, so it's a good thing that BFG Tech is RMA'ing it.
So please let me know.....does the GX2 have two fans or just one between the GPU's? And how about reversing the side case fan when I get the replacement GX2.
Thanks!
Pez