Help! My 6800gts in SLI mode are operating in the upper 90s C under load

[DaveyTN]

I have an Athlon 4000+ in a Tsunami Dream Tower case. I have two eVGA 6800gt sli cards running. The max threshold temp by default is showing 135C. During Half Life 2 play the temps on these cards are darn near 100C. Is this normal? Should I be concerned; am I going to burn these puppies up? I'm using the latest NVidia 71.89 drivers and I have not oc anything. Right now, while surfing the web, the core temps on these cards are 72C and 77C. Thanks!!!

 

[imported_Kensai]

That is way out of spec!
You should improve their cooling.

 

[DaveyTN]

These temps are reported to me by NVidia tools. Do you think they are accurate? I've got stock cooling on these cards.

 

[UsandThem]

Originally posted by: DaveyTN
These temps are reported to me by NVidia tools. Do you think they are accurate? I've got stock cooling on these cards.

Yeah, those readings are usually pretty accurate.

Add case fans.

 

[UsandThem]

Just for your reference. I have a 6600GT, and while it does not run as hot as your cards do, the hottest it gets is 55C. Runs at 40c-41c at idle.

 

[aatf510]

If you keep using your computer like that, your cards' life would definately be shorten to less than a few years.

 

[DaveyTN]

Well, after inspecting a little, I noticed that the fan on the side of the case is not turning. Are these fan controlled through software of any kind? It doesn't look unplugged???

 

[UsandThem]

Originally posted by: DaveyTN
Well, after inspecting a little, I noticed that the fan on the side of the case is not turning. Are these fan controlled through software of any kind? It doesn't look unplugged???

Fans on graphic cards should always be running. They never spin down. That is probably your problem right there.

 

[DaveyTN]

No, the fans on the graphics cards are spinning fine. Its the fan on the side of the computer case that is not turning. How do I fix? Software? Or open up the case?

 

[SVT Cobra]

ADD A case fan, VGA heatsinks are useless without a case fan with proper circulation over them, do not play any games until you get that fan up and running again or youll kill the cards. I suggest looking to see if the fan is plugged in right, i do not think its software(ive never heard of this). If you cannot find the problem just buy a replacement or two, you should really have 3 IMO case fans total to run SLI, i have water cooling and 2 intake and one exhuast (excluding PSU) fans...its a noisy beast, but its a cool one. GL getting em cooler, hope the fan is just not turned on by a dial or something....pics plz??? or if i know what fan i could help you better

 

[ssvegeta1010]

Make sure to get that side fan turning, and also you should try installing a fan in the case blowing straight over the cards.

 

[sharkeeper]

That is not out of spec for that piece. 120C will usually cause condition of alarm.

In any case, your pieces are probably too close together and your ventilation system of your computer enclosure is poor. Improve this to remove heat and abate this condition of excessive temperature - do it soon.

 

[DaveyTN]

Thanks for the help all. I got the fan working on the side of the computer case. I think one of my main problems is that the room my computer is in is warm. I just brought a thermometer into this room and the temp in here is 77deg F. So, its probably hot air in and causing the cards to heat up even more.

One person suggested installing a fan to blow directly on the video cards. How do I do this? Thanks!!