Is it safe to game on a 280X at 80-85º?

[Arkanius]

System:

CPU: [Intel Core i5-3570K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor]
CPU: Cooler [Noctua NH-U12P]
GPU: [Gigabyte 280X Windforce]
Case: [Cooler Master 690 II Advanced]


My GPU as listed, makes a lot of noise when I'm playing at full load. And when I mean noise, I mean, it's like a 1st Gen X360. Unbearably loud.

I decided to fix the fanspeed at a lower speed that doesn't sound as loud. (The cooler has three fans, I thought I could lower while keeping a good temp)

It's summer here, and we have been having an ambient 31º during most of the day. Today I tested it setting at 50% speed (2237 RPM) and playing Witcher 3 which makes my card go to full load. The temperature max of the GPU was 83º while the CPU was 76 º. I find it okay but I'm not sure if my GPU is prepared to hold that temp.

Also tested with Dota 2 and it never goes above 76º at 50% fan speed.

My question here is, should I keep the speed at this? 50% makes the fans virtually silent for me and it seems at an okay temperature (I mean, 290X go HOTTER than this).

Should I invest in some watercooling if I want silence? An aftermarket cooler? Can I keep using the 50% fan speed if it never goes above 85-90 degrees?
Thanks in advance everyone

 

[Silverforce11]

GPU is fine up to 95C, not ideal but it won't die on you. Generally people tend to keep GPUs below 85C for air cooling.

CPU at 76C is high though. You need better airflow in your case.

 

[Noctifer616]

Anything below 90C should be more than fine, especially considering you probably don't game 24/7.

 

[3DVagabond]

There is a problem with your card if it won't keep that chip cool and run quietly. Although at that ambient temp 83°C isn't out of line. You might try reapplying the thermal compund. It's often applied haphazardly by the manufactuer.

 

[Noctifer616]

Could be an airflow issue with your case, I suggest to remove the side panel and see how if that changes anything. Also, what about dust? Are your components clean?

 

[Arkanius]

GPU is fine up to 95C, not ideal but it won't die on you. Generally people tend to keep GPUs below 85C for air cooling.

CPU at 76C is high though. You need better airflow in your case.

I was surprised with the CPU as well, but it's overclocked to 4.4 Ghz which I forgot to add in the OP. I wonder if my Noctua is dusty or the thermal paste is gone.

I saw the stats and the GPU never went above 85º. My room has the sun shining throughout the whole day, it's an attic. Inside without AC it's probably 35 degrees ambient while outside is 31º (lol)

There is a problem with your card if it won't keep that chip cool and run quietly. Although at that ambient temp 83°C isn't out of line. You might try reapplying the thermal compund. It's often applied haphazardly by the manufactuer.

I thought 280X's (7970 family) were hot cards by default. If I uncap the fanspeeds and let them go up to 70% the card barely goes over 70º

Could be an airflow issue with your case, I suggest to remove the side panel and see how if that changes anything. Also, what about dust? Are your components clean?

It's time for my spring cleaning de dust, but the case has dust filters and I clean the PC every day. I'll also try optimizing the airflow inside, probably the HDD's are blocking some of the frontal air intake.

 

[3DVagabond]

I thought 280X's (7970 family) were hot cards by default. If I uncap the fanspeeds and let them go up to 70% the card barely goes over 70º

Not really. Good aftermarket coolers (windforce 3) handle it just fine. The 290(X) needs really superior cooling and not all aftermarket coolers are well suited to it, but the 280(X) was fine.

 

[Silverforce11]

Your ambient is high, so thats quite normal. Its similar to my hot summers here, 35C ambient is quite normal during summer.

So you can add ~15C to most reviews or add more noise to run the fans faster.

 

[exar333]

There is a problem with your card if it won't keep that chip cool and run quietly. Although at that ambient temp 83°C isn't out of line. You might try reapplying the thermal compund. It's often applied haphazardly by the manufactuer.

This.

You can also try getting some new thermal pads or paste and removing the shroud and re-applying on core/VRMs (sorry, I don't know what the 280x looks like underneath and if the VRMs are attached to the heatsink...).

You probably could lose 3-5C just by doing this and maybe keep your fan a few % lower. Can't hurt, and it just takes a few minutes.

Also - check your case fans. Sometimes getting 1-2 newer ones with a lot more CFM ability, while still quiet, can make a huge difference. Many stock case fans can almost be a factor of 5-6 less in air moving at similar decibels. No joke.

 

[Makaveli]

I have the same case air flow is fine aslong as you upgraded the FANS the default ones aren't that great.

Secondly most of this seem to be due to your high ambient temp.

You will need AC in that room or to go Water AIO like I did to control the temps better.

You can game at that temp but I wouldn't for prolonged periods.

This is how Air flow is setup in my 690 II advanced.

 

[Arkanius]

This.

You can also try getting some new thermal pads or paste and removing the shroud and re-applying on core/VRMs (sorry, I don't know what the 280x looks like underneath and if the VRMs are attached to the heatsink...).

You probably could lose 3-5C just by doing this and maybe keep your fan a few % lower. Can't hurt, and it just takes a few minutes.

Also - check your case fans. Sometimes getting 1-2 newer ones with a lot more CFM ability, while still quiet, can make a huge difference. Many stock case fans can almost be a factor of 5-6 less in air moving at similar decibels. No joke.

I was thinking of upgrading my fans to Noctua fans. I'm still using my default ones of the case. At least last time I investigated the market they were one of the best in price/performance

 

[xthetenth]

I was thinking of upgrading my fans to Noctua fans. I'm still using my default ones of the case. At least last time I investigated the market they were one of the best in price/performance

Performance they're definitely right around the top, price not necessarily so much.

 

[exar333]

I was thinking of upgrading my fans to Noctua fans. I'm still using my default ones of the case. At least last time I investigated the market they were one of the best in price/performance

Its worth investing in a couple nice case fans. You can always recycle them for future builds. I got 2x NB fans for ~$18/each (on sale) a few years back. They are sub 20db and push ~100CFM. One push and one pull in my case. They did wonders for my ambients and helped a lot with a hot 6C CPU. I added one more when I went to H2O this year.

 

[Arkanius]

Its worth investing in a couple nice case fans. You can always recycle them for future builds. I got 2x NB fans for ~$18/each (on sale) a few years back. They are sub 20db and push ~100CFM. One push and one pull in my case. They did wonders for my ambients and helped a lot with a hot 6C CPU. I added one more when I went to H2O this year.

Yes fans are a good investment if they are good ones, but I never felt the need for them, but I'm getting quite pissed of with the noise my case does, and since temperatures are very high this year I guess I finally got pushed enough.

Thanks guys, I'll buy a few fans, de-dust my case, apply thermal paste and continue with the 280X at 50% to keep the noise low.

 

[Arkanius]

I have the same case air flow is fine aslong as you upgraded the FANS the default ones aren't that great.

Secondly most of this seem to be due to your high ambient temp.

You will need AC in that room or to go Water AIO like I did to control the temps better.

You can game at that temp but I wouldn't for prolonged periods.

This is how Air flow is setup in my 690 II advanced.

It's similar to what I use, but with the default fans.

If you had to recommend Noctua fans to replace the default CM fans, which would you recommend? Noctua has multiple 140mm and 120mm models, and I don't know which to pick.