Odd temp change

[martman]

I have just installed the OCZ GameXstream 700 watt psu and the new side panel for the Thermaltake Armor series case with the 250mm fan in the side, my temps on the GPU's are hovering around 2-4 degrees higher now. The temps now at idle.. 45C on #1 gpu and 46C on #2 as I type this. Have I messed up the airflow in my case or could the new psu actually be sending the proper voltage to my cards causing the higher gpu temps?

*note* I used to have the Ultra 550 watt X connect and many reviews showed this psu didnt hold very stable voltages.. thats why I ask about the possibility of proper voltage raising temps.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Well... although it could be the PSU because the X2 moves a helluva lot more air than the OCZ, I sort of doubt it UNLESS it's the ONLY exhaust fan you have in the CPU quadrant of the case (you DO have an exhaust fan below the PSU behind the CPU, right?!?!)

Put the other side panel back on? No offense, but that's sort of a no brainer.

I personally LOATHE these side panels with the big fans. I think Intel got it right (for Intel AND AMD users) with their TAC 1.1 which puts a vent (NOT a fan guys) above the CPU and a rectangular vent above the video cards.

 

[martman]

Thank you very much.. I will change side panels back and check it out. Thanks again

 

[jonnyGURU]

You do have an exhaust fan by the CPU other than the PSU, right?!?

 

[martman]

yes I do.. there is a 90mm fan directly below the psu and a 120 mm exhaust below that 90... to follow up.. I did as you suggested.. I changed side panels back and ran Tomb Raider Legend for a couple minutes to heat up the gpu's.. then gave it a couple of minutes and now the gpu temps are both back to norm.. meaning they are now reading 42C now...hmmm who'd of thought?

*note* i checked again about 5 minutes after this was last posted..now temps are at 40...thats where they used to stay at idle.

Thanks jonnyGURU !!!

 

[jonnyGURU]

Yep. I've had the same experience. Those big-fan side panels seem to be quite a bit of snake oil. I'm not going to say they're totally worthless because I can't test every single, possible scenario. Maybe someone here has something positive to say about them and have used them with improved temps. But there's been three different times that I've used such a "device" on three different brand cases and all of them resulted in higher ambient temps.

I also suggest against putting an 80MM fan in TAC CPU ducts too (except for very rare exceptions.) But people keep doing that too and I've even seem some reviewers take issue with cases that didn't come with a fan where only a vent should be.

Silly Internet. Those in the industry with a voice are cast off as shills while those with a voice are typically ignorant.

But what do I know?... I'm running a pair of XFX 7800GTX OC's on a DFI board with an X2 550W.