New system, GPU getting too hot...

[Clintster]

So this system is pretty new and I noticed last night while playing WoW that my GPU temp went slightly over 70 degrees. Right now it is sitting at 46 degrees so it seems WoW really heats it up. I run WoW at 1600x1200@85hz with pretty much everything turned up all the way. I don't notice any problems with the display when it gets that hot, but I don't want to fry my video card, know what I mean?

So I guess there are two options I am looking at. The antec Sonata 2 comes with some "ducting" on the inside to direct air from the CPU out of the case. This ducting has the option of adding a fan that would be positioned directly above the video card. I don't know how I feel about this option since the Sonata 2 is designed to run the way it is now. The second option would be to get a different heat sink/fan and put it on the card. Not sure about this since it already has a heat sink and fan....Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[m3rcury]

I had a Zalman VF-700 on my Radeon 9800pro. Very nice cooling performance, and not loud at all. I'd recommend it over a ducting-fan-with-paperclips-and-lipstick McGyver solution.

Edit:
This is what I am talking about.

 

[Clintster]

I just got a Zalman VF700-CU. After I install it I will post the results and my experiences installing the unit...

 

[Maluno]

Marked.

 

[Ping to the Pong]

just to clarify, the duct on the Sonata II appears to draw cold air from the outside and direct it towards the processor or video card. It wouldnt work as exhaust since air would have to travel down and out of the case.

 

[LiquidImpulse]

70 degrees...?heck...sometimes my GPU goes a bit over that...

 

[EuR Fr3nCh T3rRoR]

70C is not that high on stock cooling at all mate. You really don't need to worry unless you want to overclock, but if you really want to cool it down, you can always cut a window on the side of your case and put a 120mm Panaflo fan there and have it blow right under the videocard. Or suck out, depending on how your cooling system is set in your case, but most likely blowing onto the card. Also you can leave the PCI slot backplate off of the one right under your GPU, so it can release a bit of the hot air also. Just some suggestions mate.