Does having GPU fans run at max reduce their lifespan ?

OC-CO

Junior Member
Aug 30, 2017
8
0
6
Ok, so here's the thing.



Recently, I've been noticing temperatures on my GPU (MSI GTX 980 TI Gaming) reaching some high 70's, and since I'd rather not have my GPU run at 80+C I setup my fans to run at 90% on 70C, now the thing is since I game heavily (4-8h), and since temps almost always reach 70C (if the game is utilizing 100% GPU) does having the fans always running at 90% reduce their lifespan or can it damage them ?
 

Rifter

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,522
751
126
It should not effect them, as long as its a quality fan it should last several years of 100% operation.
 

Elixer

Lifer
May 7, 2002
10,376
762
126
Well...one of the AIBs said the #1 RMA problem was with fans...

In general, ball bearing last longer than sleeve bearings.
 

Yakk

Golden Member
May 28, 2016
1,574
275
81
You should be fine imho. Check what type of fan you have though.

Back in my mining days... I would grease/oil my GPU fans once a year and they would work 24/7, 365 days a year. Had under 5% fans fail on me.
 

lefenzy

Senior member
Nov 30, 2004
231
4
81
But is 75 C or even 85 C that bad for your GPU? I'm more inclined to stick with manufacturer's settings, and if temperatures and or fan speeds are too high for your own perception, then I would try undervolting and or underclocking.
 

killster1

Banned
Mar 15, 2007
6,208
475
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yea id stick with stock settings. my 980ti doesn't spin unless playing a game.. don't know what temp it is when playing games tho ;) im sure under 85 is fine for gpu. (tho it does seem very high) it is perfectly fine.
 

John Carmack

Member
Sep 10, 2016
155
247
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But is 75 C or even 85 C that bad for your GPU? I'm more inclined to stick with manufacturer's settings, and if temperatures and or fan speeds are too high for your own perception, then I would try undervolting and or underclocking.

Manufacturer's probably set the temperature limits and fan curve based on warranty length and expected duty cycle for gaming. Loading things up 24/7/365 for mining probably changes things.
 

Stuka87

Diamond Member
Dec 10, 2010
6,240
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The only thing that will really wear under heavy load besides the fans is the power delivery system, namely any caps.
 

Guru

Senior member
May 5, 2017
830
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Sleeve bearing<Ball bearing<double ball bearing in terms of fans quality, though wire thickness and placement is also important as often times its actually the wiring that gives up, rather than the fan and its mechanism itself.

Running it at 100% will reduce it lifespan, depending on the design and quality of the fan anywhere from as little as 5% to as much as 40%.