7800GT + VF-700Alcu = Too Hot? *Solved*

[grimlykindo]

I recently got my 7800gt and bought a new VF-700ALcu for it. Everything installed great and it idles at 41c (which is pretty low) But then after a few hours of BF2 the temp hits 73c! I'm using Rivatuner to log the temps so these are "in game" temps. The fan is being run at 75% power - which is still moving ALOT of air.

I've also reseated the heatsink two times and am using AS5 - I'm very confident I seated it correctly. The card is actually very stable and never crashed or showed artifacts, but 73c?- thats way too hot for me.

Is this card suppose to run that hot? Does anyone with a VF-700 care to share their temps? Thanks in advance for any info!

*SOLVED*

***It was the top fan on my P180 that was holding me back!***

***It was blowing into my case instead of out, causing the hot air to get stuck in the case around the 7800GT.***

Temps with the top fan blowing OUT of the case:

Idle: 40c (42c before)

Load: 65c (73c before)

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

1) DO NOT USE AS5. Make sure you use ceramique, you don't want to fry stuff...

Uhhh, maybe your case needs more airflow? I idle around 46 - 47, and I load around 62 - 63 running full blast with the VF700 though.

 

[grimlykindo]

Originally posted by: DLeRium
1) DO NOT USE AS5. Make sure you use ceramique, you don't want to fry stuff...

Uhhh, maybe your case needs more airflow? I idle around 46 - 47, and I load around 62 - 63 running full blast with the VF700 though.

Why not AS5? I used Arctic Silver on all of my heatsinks (CPU, NB, GPU) and I've never had a problem. Also, its in a P180 with 7 120mm Nexus fans - I doubt airflow is an issue.

But do you think that 73c is too hot? In the NV control panel the core threshold is listed as 115c! I just wish mine would load at 63 like yours

 

[Matt2]

AS5 from what I hear (never tried it) is good on the GPU, but not on the RAM. You're supposed to use non-conductive paste on the RAM.

Also, fire the fan on that 7700 to full and see how that effects the temps.

Are you OCing your GT or are those stock speed temps??

 

[grimlykindo]

Originally posted by: Matt2
AS5 from what I hear (never tried it) is good on the GPU, but not on the RAM. You're supposed to use non-conductive paste on the RAM.

Also, fire the fan on that 7700 to full and see how that effects the temps.

Are you OCing your GT or are those stock speed temps??

Yeah, I didn't use it on the RAM - The Zalman VF-700 came with self-adhesive RAMsinks that actually seem to stick and work really well.

I already have tried the fan at full blast and it only dropped my temps to 71c load - so that doesn't seem to be my real problem either. Its being run at total stock clocks right now - I haven't even tried OCing yet - I want to get my temps lower first!

 

[Matt2]

You made sure to apply a thin layer of AS5 to the GPU right? Also, make sure you spread it, not like applying it to a CPU where you just put a little in the center and then mash the HSF down on it. You have to use a credit card or soemthing to apply a thin and even layer.

Sorry if I'm beating a dead horse, but your temps should be lower than that. Especially for stock speeds.

EDIT: Crap I cant spell this morning.

 

[Munky]

Yes your temps should be lower, but 71C is not something I'd worry about. What were the temps with your stock cooler?

 

[grimlykindo]

Originally posted by: Matt2
You made sure to apply a thin layer of AS5 to the GPU right? Also, make sure you spread it, not like applying it to a CPU where you just put a little in the center and then mash the HSF down on it. You have to use a credit card or soemthing to apply a thin and even layer.

Sorry if I'm beating a dead horse, but your temps should be lower than that. Especially for stock speeds.

EDIT: Crap I cant spell this morning.

Yeah, I spread a thin layer across the whole GPU like your suppose to. My temps did drop a few degrees after I reseated it the last time, but it still gets into the 70s.

I'm about ready to beat a horse to death! I'm getting frustrated with this cause I know my temps should be alot lower then they are.

 

[nitromullet]

Sounds like an airflow issue to me. As I understand it, the VF-700 needs good airflow to work well. How well does that fan shroud for the video card work on the P180? Have you tried running with the case open and the fan shroud removed? If your temps are noticably lower, airflow is your problem.

 

[grimlykindo]

Originally posted by: nitromullet
Sounds like an airflow issue to me. As I understand it, the VF-700 needs good airflow to work well. How well does that fan shroud for the video card work on the P180? Have you tried running with the case open and the fan shroud removed? If your temps are noticably lower, airflow is your problem.

I don't have the shroud thingy installed and the rear vents are sealed off. Maybe I'll try opening up the rear vents again and see what happens.

Thanks for the suggestion :beer: