Safe GPU temperature for my eVGA 7900GT?

[MDesigner]

I just got a new rig, including an eVGA 7900GT 256MB.. I was wondering what the safe upper limit is for temp. In Windows, it idles at around 50C. What is a typical temp after gaming (modern games, anti-aliasing cranked at 8xS, full settings, etc)? What's a dangerous temp?

Thanks!

 

[aLeoN]

idling at 50 is pretty warm imo, my 7800GT idles at around 40 and, barring the larger hsf, your 7900GT should be at least closer to 40 than 50. However, load temps can go as high as 70 even 80 is no prob I think. As long as it doesn't boil water...it should be fine ahaha

 

[MDesigner]

I'm using the stock heatsink/fan... the case is pretty nicely ventilated I think. So it should be OK. Gaming has been solid so far!

 

[fallensight]

Im not sure on the evga ones, but mostly a 7900GT is a 7900GT, the BFG tech resonded to me with there isnt naything to worry about till the idle gets over 70C, with load temps in the 80C range as perfectly healthy and in good range. Apparently this is one hot card.

 

[FP]

Just installed my eVGA 7900GT last night and noticed that the GPU temperature is about 75C after playing Oblivion for a few hours. Ambient is about 20C and my CPU gets up to about 43C.

The GPU hovers around 50C when idle.

That seems awfully hot to me. Do these temps sound out of spec? Is there any documentation anywhere listing the recommended temps for these video cards?

 

[MDesigner]

I think 70C is fine, but I would worry if it goes much higher than that.

 

[crazylegs]

on my vf900 @ 665/ 1600 mine IDLES 35C and LOAD below 50C !

- well worth the investment IMO

 

[FP]

How are you measuring peak GPU temp in game?

crazylegs: I was considering getting the vf900 to cool things down a bit... Do you have any ram HSs on there?

 

[crazylegs]

for my temps i use NVtemplogger in-games with ATItool also out of games!

- yeh i just used the RAM HS's that came with the vf900... sure you could by better i.e. all copper ones but i'm on a mega bang for buck budget

P.S. from a relative noobs point of view (this is my first real PC- but i have been playing with it for a while!) the vf900 was simple to install! even the voltmod was easy even though i must have the worst conductive pen in the world... nib as wide as a bus! used a pin to drag the conductive ink from point to point!

 

[MDesigner]

I was told to use rthdribl to gauge peak temp:
http://www.daionet.gr.jp/~masa/rthdribl/

Run it for 30 mins and use NVTempLogger. PS, is it just me, or does NVTempLogger's digital on-screen display not show up in-game?

 

[FP]

Originally posted by: MDesigner
I was told to use rthdribl to gauge peak temp:
http://www.daionet.gr.jp/~masa/rthdribl/

Run it for 30 mins and use NVTempLogger. PS, is it just me, or does NVTempLogger's digital on-screen display not show up in-game?

Yep, just tried that tool and the results were the same... My peak GPU temp came out to be 75C.

I have an e-mail out to eVGA to find out if this is ok. I know it isn't going to fry the card but I had thought the temps would be cooler than my old 6800GT.

crazylegs: I have heard some talk that the vf900 doesn't make good contact with the GPU core. Something about standoffs being used or something. Did you have any problems attaching the vf900? Did you take before/after temps of the GPU?

 

[kellehair]

VF900 works great on the 7900GT. When I first installed it I thought my temp monitor was broken because I was idling at 32C despite being overclocked! Now that I've done the voltmod to 1.5V I idle at 40-42C. My card gets up around 60C when running ATItool but in games it doesn't get much above 50C.

 

[crazylegs]

Absolutely no problems installing the vf900 - and this was my first ever GPU HSF re-install! Really is noob-proof!

Also my before temps were 44c IDLE, 74c MAX LOAD i.e. OBLIVION on high... @ speeds of 565/ 1580

My IDLE has dropped about 10c to 34c and LOAD dropped about 28c to 46c! These are @ speeds of 650/ 1580 Pretty impressive IMO...

 

[FP]

Response from eVGA:

"The temperature is fine. Once it starts getting close to 100C then I would consider that dangerous. EVGA"

Looks like my 75C is perfectly fine...

I may still slap on the vf900 for quietness' sake.

 

[crazylegs]

They seem pretty confident to allow it to get close to 100C!

I used to keep my OCed 6600GT under 70C on stock...

Personally i would not feel to safe with my card pushing 80C... actually i wouldnt want it near 70 for any prolonged periods...(common sense/opinion - not technical knowledge speaking)

But if the word is that its fine then i guess you cant argue!

 

[Arkane13131]

also you gotta realize... evga has a lifetime warranty. so, if your card just blows up one day... call em. they are really nice about shipping a new one out to you.

evga: "hello whats the problem?"
you: "my card caught fire because I overclocked it"
evga: "man that sucks I hope your computer is ok. we will send a new one out to you."
you: "I love evga."
evga: "stop looking at me like that."

 

[fighterpilot]

You also have to remember that most eVGA cards are overclocked. My temps are about 48C idle and about 78C full load. Bump the clock down a bit and you'll probably end up with much cooler temperatures.

100C is where you have to *start* to worry, and chances are if it gets that high then either it is 40C ambient, your fan stopped, or there is a breakdown, or lack of, thermal compound.