Geforce 7950GT Overheating?

[ultflood]

Hi,

Does anyone have any experience with 7950GT's running hot? I was getting some visual hiccuping and thought it might be the video card overheating, and checked the temps. It idles at about 90C and gets to about 110C under medium load.

However, I don't hear the fan come on until it's running a medium load for about 15-20 min, which makes me think the temperature readings are incorrect. I've tried manually adjusting the fan using Speedfan but that doesn't seem to work.

Any ideas? Any feedback would be helpful.

Thanks!

DxDiag system/display info:

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System Information
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Time of this report: 2/5/2011, 10:13:36
Machine name: STARFINDER
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.100427-1636)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Compaq Presario 061
System Model: EL445AA-ABA SR1750NX NA650
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4400+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 529MB used, 3409MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

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DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

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DirectX Debug Levels
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Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

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Display Devices
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Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 7950 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 7950 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0295&SUBSYS_C6353842&REV_A1
Display Memory: 512.0 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0012.6658 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 1/7/2011 19:27:00, 6397824 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 1/7/2011 19:27:00, 9888672 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-41D5-11CF-F041-39E600C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0295
SubSys ID: 0xC6353842
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
Deinterlace Caps: {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

 

[faxon]

given how old the card is, open the case and check to make sure it isnt covered in dust?

 

[Laminator]

If those temperatures are correct, then they're too high. My 7900GT 512MB @ 560MHz/1510MHz (stock EVGA overclock, roughly 7950GT speeds) would idle at around 44C and top out at 80C on the one-slot reference cooler (cooled memory as well; looked like this: http://www.theinquirer.net/img/7786/sig7900gt.jpg?1241332105). At 600MHz or higher, it would exceed 90C. My memory is a bit rusty (this was in 2006), but I believe it would start having problems around the 98C.

Perhaps the fan controls are shot? That cooler wasn't loud, but it wasn't quiet, either. I added a VF900-Cu and the temperatures dropped over 30C under load. Maybe adding an aftermarket cooler will fix your problems.

 

[jiffylube1024]

That's too hot. While the 7950GT was a "cooler" card than some for its day, the heatsink on it was only so-so. Many cards of that generation benefitted from an Accelero cooler to lower temps and noise.

That is WAY too hot - 90C is alarming for idle; 110C is just madness for load!

 

[ultflood]

I know, it's crazy! I did clean the GPU of dust. It could be the fan controls.

If it is the gpu, is the VF900-Cu a good choice for the cooler, or can you recommend a good PCI express x16 GPU that'll work with a 400W Fortron PSU?

Thank you!

 

[toyota]

I know, it's crazy! I did clean the GPU of dust. It could be the fan controls.

If it is the gpu, is the VF900-Cu a good choice for the cooler, or can you recommend a good PCI express x16 GPU that'll work with a 400W Fortron PSU?

Thank you!

dont spend a dime to try and make that old card run cooler. even $50-$60 modern card will be faster than a 7950gt while using much less power.

 

[evolucion8]

Take the cooler off and clean the old thermal paste and put new tm on it. Or u could buy an used Radeon HD 3850 or Geforce 9600GT for less than $45.00 on ebay.

 

[ultflood]

Great, thanks very much. I did re-apply thermal paste when I cleaned the fans out.