EVGA GTX260 SLi

[jpk]

I have a question concerning cooling of these cards in SLi. I have them in an SLi set up but they are very close together in adjacent slots. They get hot with the stock fans and enclosures. Can I remove the plastic enclosures to allow cooler air to flow in or should I get a dedicated cooler for the cards and leave the shrouds on? I have a CM HAF 922 and there's a 230mm intake fan right over the cards now. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[NumericalMethods]

What sort of temps are you getting? I had a GTX260 and it loaded in the low to mid 70s. When I added my second card the load temps rose to high 70s to low 80s. I'm comfortable with that, although the fans do run a little louder at that temperature.

Removing that shroud is not an option. The shroud is there to guide air from the fan down the length of the card, over the heat sink and out the back end. Without the shroud you would lose most of the airflow. Aftermarket cooling could be a good idea if you are struggling with temperatures. I would be surprised though. The HAF 922 is one of the best ventilated cases out there.

 

[jpk]

While playing MW2 and i started to get freeze ups that would hit every several seconds, last about a second or two then clear until the next one hit. It happens during some intense action. I have the game options pretty well maxed out. I don't know what the temps are, I don't have a monitor on them but they do get very hot to the touch. Had the same issues with other gear in the past so I'm assuming it's the same cause. If the shrouds need to stay on then that is what I'll do but see if I can find a dedicated cooler for the cards to help out.

 

[NumericalMethods]

Download EVGA precision or GPU-Z and log you card temps. There are multiple causes for hitching in a game you need to establish if it is related to card temperature. At 80 deg C the shrouds on my cards are too hot to touch comfortably but that is perfectly normal.

Remember the majority of modern silicon is rated to operate at temperatures exceeding 100 deg C. That's hot!