High gpu temps, is it because of the air flow in case?

[thejunglegod]

I have a Cooler master 690 III case with a Zotac AMP Extreme GTX 980ti graphics card. My CPU is cooled with a Noctua NH-D15. My problem right now is that I get very high GPU temperatures, around 83°C in almost all games, except League of Legends. I've reapplied new thermal paste and there's hardly any difference. So I'm assuming it has something to do with my case airflow.
I live in Mumbai India and the temperatures here are very high (around 40°C ambient temperature on average). My fan setup is as follows:
Intake:
1. Default 200mm fan from the front.
2. 120mm from bottom, next to PSU.
Exhaust:
1. Default 120mm fan at the back.

I've ordered new fans to setup at the top of the case, but I'm seriously confused on whether I should use them for exhaust or intake. The internet has not given me a definitive answer in this regard. The more I look into it, the more confused I get with regards to positive pressure, negative pressure inside case etc.

Also, since my Case is under a desk, I'm assuming that if I keep these new top fans as intake, then it'll only be recirculating the hot air.
Kindly advise on whether I should consider these new fans as intake or exhaust and if there is any additional fan requirement. Thanks.

 

[Rifter]

80c is pretty normal, especially with 40c ambient temps 80c is actually kinda low.

Also its generally accepted that positive pressure is good. So i would have more intake fans that exhaust.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Rifter's advice is good, but I'd think further gains will be limited. If the airflow and performance of the NH-D15 are as good as you can make them, your ambient temperature will affect GPU temperatures in linear fashion. 40C = 104F, and it is hard for me to wrap my brain around that. I live in Southern California, so I know what hot days are like. We run an air-conditioner, and keep the room ambient at about 80F.

I would guess that your computer in my house would peak out with a GPU temperature around 70C.

I could also only hope that a water-loop for the GTX 980 might give you a 10C improvement for the GPU. Could be more, depending on the radiator. I can't advise either way. It costs money, for one thing . .

 

[thejunglegod]

Thank you guys for your inputs. My stupidity or my ignorance has caused this. While I was trying to work everything around with the placement of my existing fans, I noticed that my front 200mm fan had stopped working. So I took that one out and put one 140mm fan (Antec) as an intake at the top. Also, I left my case open (window side). This seems to have done the trick as my GPU has not gone past 60°C with Dishonored 2 on full settings. I never knew good airflow would make such a considerable difference.

Also its generally accepted that positive pressure is good. So i would have more intake fans that exhaust.

That is the idea. I've ordered for new fans and once they arrive I'll let you know how much the temperatures have dropped to with the case closed.

I live in Southern California, so I know what hot days are like. We run an air-conditioner, and keep the room ambient at about 80F.

I would guess that your computer in my house would peak out with a GPU temperature around 70C.

I could also only hope that a water-loop for the GTX 980 might give you a 10C improvement for the GPU. Could be more, depending on the radiator. I can't advise either way. It costs money, for one thing . .

I'll try with the Air conditioner but I doubt I'll be able to keep my AC on for all my gaming time since power bills tend to get exponentially high after a particular amount of usage.
Also, I have a phobia for water cooling, not only because of the money but also the tendency to leak and fry components. I know that it's very safe now but I still find all the assembly to be a tedious task. That is why I got this case in the first place.
I'll check the temps with my AC on and let you know the results. Thanks

 

[XavierMace]

If removing the side of your case is making a huge difference, that means you don't have enough air flow. With that high of ambient temperature, liquid cooling isn't going to give you the greatest of results either without some pretty decent fans. Considering the amount of room your case has, I'd get more fans and make sure they're good fans. I'm not a fan of Cooler Master's fans, there's far better options out there. How much fan noise can you live with? I'd consider Noctua iPPC industrial's hooked up to a fan controller.

I live in Southern California, so I know what hot days are like.

No you don't. LOL.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Well . . . idle chatter . . . I wholly agree with the business side of your post.

It's true that it will get up to 110F here in the summer. And it's true that some place like Phoenix is definitely worse. And it's true I could drive up to Wildrose Canyon Road in Death Valley and this time of year it could be 120 to 140F. Frankly, 85F becomes uncomfortable for me. I'd rather live in a cabin located in the North Cascades . . . .