Increasing video card life.

[oldman420]

I have a 9800 pro modded to xt,great card I love it.
But it does run hot,I have checked around and found that most folks running post 350 gpu's are getting 45-50 c at idle and 60-70 c under load.
so when the thermal probe taped to the center of the gpu on the back of the card reads 48 idle and 53 load i became concerned. that translates to a 50 + c idle core temp. sorry to hot IMO.
i am now seeing posts about "I killed my x800 or 6800 too much heat" so i thought why not employ ati tool and under clock the card to sub performance speeds using ati tool presets and then load a stock or overclocked profile when needed. so at idle i have core 300 mem 294 temp probe is now at 40 c at idle much better IMO. 418/375 is the 3d setting that i use.
will this give my card some extra life and preserve it performance for a longer time?
Does changing the clock around present dangers I am unaware of?
thank you folks
Jerome

P.S. I am using stock cooling with the exception of 16 Thermaltake ramsinks on the memory. Any suggestions on alternatives appreciated.

 

[VIAN]

I wouldn't have it at under stock speeds. I would keep it at stock and then OC when you play. I do that too.

Heat does kill, chances are, you'll notice something or the application will crash before you card gets fried.

Plus you don't want to have to much of a heat difference as it wears out the components to have quick distant temperature changes.

At stock speed, it'll probably last you about 10 years. I don't know about you, but I feel Thief III choking me as I can't maintain an above 30 framerate without lowering my resolution to 800x600. My card is getting old and it's just little slower than yours. According to 3dmark I get about 6000 points.

If you didn't OC your card, it'll probably last you 10 years.

If you do, it'll probably last you 5 years or more. And you have that extra performance.