Question regarding GPU (HD4850) and cooling.

[Buttons]

I just finished my first build, and everythings working great.

My first question:

How hot does a HD4850 normally get, mine is getting up to 56 C which isn't bad, the fan kicks up to medium speed at this point and cools it back down to 55 C.


The main question I had though is more of a general GPU question. The way the GPU sits in the case, the heat sink points downwards. This isn't as effective at cooling is it? Because heat rises. Also, most of the air flow is above the GPU around the CPU, meaning the air is probably pretty still around the GPU's heat sink.

The card wont overheat, the medium fan speed keeps it cool, but it's noisy. Any suggestions? Perhaps rigging up another fan with a couple zip ties could keep it from reaching that noisy fan speed?

Edit: I'll post a picture later, if needed.

 

[ComputerDude67]

Get a better case with more fans. Good cases will have intake fans in the bottom and exaust fans in the top. Also if you bought a standard 4850 then get a Zalman 900 GPU cooler. There are several 4850 makers that put 3rd party fans on thier cards, these are the better one to buy.

 

[Buttons]

Thanks, but buying a new case or GPU isn't really needed. As stated, the card doesn't over heat, but just get a little noisy at time.
Unless, 56 C is considered too hot?

My case is this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811133062

The problem is the GPU sits just about even with the bottom of that huge side fan, so it's not directly blowing air to the underside of the GPU. However, the forward fan does move some air though the HDD's into the GPU area, but by the time it get's through the HDD's, I'm afraid there isn't much air movement left.

 

[ComputerDude67]

The Zalman cooler is very quite and you can not hear it in side the case. I agree they should flip the video card over to have better cooling. There are also slot coolers if you are worried about the air flow (never used one). I think you are ok with that case.

 

[katank]

Actually, 56 is quite cool for a 4850. Is it under full load (i.e. 56 under Furmark)? If so, I'm pretty surprised. Plenty of 4850's go well past 80C with Furmark.

 

[Grinja]

Originally posted by: katank
Actually, 56 is quite cool for a 4850. Is it under full load (i.e. 56 under Furmark)? If so, I'm pretty surprised. Plenty of 4850's go well past 80C with Furmark.

:thumbsup:

 

[error8]

I think you're speaking about idle temperature. There is no way the stock cooler of the 4850 will keep the card at 55 C under load.

 

[Buttons]

Originally posted by: error8
I think you're speaking about idle temperature. There is no way the stock cooler of the 4850 will keep the card at 55 C under load.

Your correct, it's 55 under very light loads.

Basically, I was wondering why they have it upside down? Is the 4850 upside down in most cases? And was wondering if anyone had a quick tip that has helped them in a similar situation. (BTW, buying a new case is not considered a "quick tip.")

Thanks.

 

[sonnygdude]

Well, the cooler really isn't upside down, is it? The intake is facing downwards, so you could make the argument that it's well positioned to intake rising air. Then that air is radially accelerated and expelled around the periphery of the card through the cooler slots. Given that the fan determines the airflow, right side up or upside down is largely irrelevant.

 

[Narynan]

Well mine idled at about 56-60 w/o fan mod. As soon as i got the fan moving at least to 50% they would idle 42-45 and load at 55-60. So, unless you want to modify a .xml file, you arn't doing to bad.