Suggestions/tips to make my GTX 960 run cooler in a pre-built Dell PC?

hsjj3 · May 22, 2016

I've got a Dell Inspiron 660 MT. Used to run a GTX 750 SC in there before, it would hit maximum temps of around 72C when under constant full load and maintain the full boost 2.0 clock speeds throughout.

Recently though, I got myself a GTX 960 SC. However, with this GPU when under constant full load it hits 80C pretty quickly, and from a max boost 2.0 speeds of 1418MHz it goes down gradually to about 1357MHz after 20 mins under full load.

I would like to get ideas/suggestions/tips from the good members at these forums as to how I could possibly improve the temperatures of my GPU in particular.

Inside of my casing: http://i.stack.imgur.com/2FFrh.jpg

Front/side/back of casing: http://i.stack.imgur.com/QalLB.jpg

Everything is stock except for the GPU and PSU.

Under full load, my CPU package temps hit 72C, my CPU motherboard sensor hits 71C and my chipset motherboard temps hit 64C. Ambient temps around 29-33C as I live on the equator.

Thanks!

Flapdrol1337 · May 22, 2016

Looks like the door is ventilated, maybe you could mount a fan on it so you force more air into the case, blowing fresh air right on the gpu.

maddie · May 22, 2016

If you take off the side panel and run a full load you can see the increase in temps the closed case is causing. Do this and get back to us.

escrow4 · May 22, 2016

Need a new case. Stock cases are built for stock parts not airflow. Your parts are suffocating. You need something HAF or a midtower with a stack of fans.

Zodiark1593 · May 22, 2016

escrow4 said:
Need a new case. Stock cases are built for stock parts not airflow. Your parts are suffocating. You need something HAF or a midtower with a stack of fans.

An additional fan or two may help, but the 960 is nowhere near hot enough to warrant a new case.

Zstream · May 22, 2016

Turn the back fan around or attach another fan to he side of the case. A slow rpm will even help. Use some good 3m double side sticky pads first to test it out before actually drilling.

hsjj3 · May 23, 2016

maddie said:
If you take off the side panel and run a full load you can see the increase in temps the closed case is causing. Do this and get back to us.

If I remove the side panel, my GPU maxes out at 75C, my HDD are about 4C cooler and the TMPIN1 motherboard chipset temperature is also 4C cooler.

hsjj3 · May 23, 2016

Zstream said:
Turn the back fan around or attach another fan to he side of the case. A slow rpm will even help. Use some good 3m double side sticky pads first to test it out before actually drilling.

What do you mean turn the fan around? Means, make it blow air INTO the case? Won't this be dangerous, and won't it just blow in the hot air that the GPU is expelling? Seems like it blows directly into the CPU, and I'm not really worried about the CPU temps.

Also, when you say slow RPM, what do you mean? What would the benefit likely be?

hsjj3 · May 23, 2016

Flapdrol1337 said:
Looks like the door is ventilated, maybe you could mount a fan on it so you force more air into the case, blowing fresh air right on the gpu.

Sadly the vent holes are located above the GPU. The CPU draws fresh air into the case from this vent, but I doubt the GPU will get it.

maddie · May 23, 2016

hsjj3 said:
If I remove the side panel, my GPU maxes out at 75C, my HDD are about 4C cooler and the TMPIN1 motherboard chipset temperature is also 4C cooler.

Well that's the absolute best you will get without watercooling.

I too live near the equator with similar ambient temps as you and run my PC with the side panel off. I'm making a completely ventilated side panel with aluminium insect screen. Closest to running with it off.

Flapdrol1337 · May 23, 2016

hsjj3 said:
Sadly the vent holes are located above the GPU. The CPU draws fresh air into the case from this vent, but I doubt the GPU will get it.

You could use zip ties to mount a fan perpendicular to the door, so it blows down.

LTC8K6 · May 23, 2016

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-960/specifications

80C is nowhere near the max temp, though.

Zstream · May 23, 2016

hsjj3 said:
What do you mean turn the fan around? Means, make it blow air INTO the case? Won't this be dangerous, and won't it just blow in the hot air that the GPU is expelling? Seems like it blows directly into the CPU, and I'm not really worried about the CPU temps.

Also, when you say slow RPM, what do you mean? What would the benefit likely be?

The issue is that your gpu, and probably cpu are not receiving good airflow.

I'd personally just get a 120mm fan and get some sticky pads and test it out.

R0H1T · May 23, 2016

Hate to say it but if you bought this GPU in 2016, knowing fully well that the next gen 1x nm GPU's are right around the corner, it was a bad choice. If there's a chance you can return it, do so asap & then buy something with a TDP of not more than 75W, anything else will just overheat at your place, near the equator.

Alternatively buy an AC & drop down your ambient temps.

NTMBK · May 23, 2016

You could try replacing the CPU cooler with a small "tower" cooler, like the Coolermaster TX3. This will blow the hot air from the CPU directly towards the back of your PC and out the rear fan, instead of letting it percolate around inside the PC.

maddie · May 23, 2016

Are all of you reading his situation properly?

Under full load, my CPU package temps hit 72C, my CPU motherboard sensor hits 71C and my chipset motherboard temps hit 64C. Ambient temps around 29-33C as I live on the equator.

I asked him to remove the side panel to check and this is what he got.

If I remove the side panel, my GPU maxes out at 75C, my HDD are about 4C cooler and the TMPIN1 motherboard chipset temperature is also 4C cooler.

75C is the best he will get without water. Do you really think a fan will improve airflow enough to help? People in the tropics ALWAYS have difficulty cooling components. I know. This is one reason why I have asked in the past for the review sites to publish ambient temps when giving load temps.

Zstream · May 23, 2016

maddie said:
Are all of you reading his situation properly?

I asked him to remove the side panel to check and this is what he got.

75C is the best he will get without water. Do you really think a fan will improve airflow enough to help? People in the tropics ALWAYS have difficulty cooling components. I know. This is one reason why I have asked in the past for the review sites to publish ambient temps when giving load temps.

Yes, I've done it a few times with cases like that. The issue, being a lack of airflow coming in from the front. So, you have fans stressing to pull air from that vent hole.

Ranulf · May 23, 2016

Like others said, test a fan on the air vent of the side door/panel. 120mm probably if you want to keep noise down.

Might be able to rig a fan in the front under the HDD but it doesn't look like you've got any easy air access from the front which is the big problem.

Other than that, you'd want a better case and that is probably not worth the cost/effort.

Phynaz · May 23, 2016

I wouldn't put a lot of worry into a 4% decrease in clock speed. Use the utility of your choice and overclock it by the 60mhz.

escrow4 · May 23, 2016

Zodiark1593 said:
An additional fan or two may help, but the 960 is nowhere near hot enough to warrant a new case.

It is if you live where the OP lives.

Suggestions/tips to make my GTX 960 run cooler in a pre-built Dell PC?

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