- Jun 23, 2001
- 27,730
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So, I bought an XFX branded 290X last week and finally got to log some real gaming hours with it. I did a lot of playing around with target GPU temps and fan speeds, and eventually settled on about 65% fan speed as untolerable, with 60% being annoying in some games. I've set the target GPU temp to 82C, and it routinely kicks the fan speed up to 55%+ while gaming. Its distracting when the fan will slow down, such as during pre-rendered cutscenes or mission briefings, or the like, only to ramp back up during the gameplay. Breaks immersion.
For the cooler months, I keep my thermostat at 72F, though right now it still gets up to 76-78F in my house. It'll be down to 72F max in another week or so though. But, during the summer, I am not going to be paying the electric bill to keep the AC at 72F.
In the summer, its 84 or 86F. I don't think the 290X is going to like that.
I have until about May 2014 before this becomes an issue, I think, but I'm going to replace the stock cooler before then for sure.
I briefly looked at watercooling, but thats more money than I want to spend. So I'm looking at either full air coolers or closed loop LCS units.
Few of the models I've been looking at.
Arctic Cooling Accelero Xtreme III
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186068
I think THG actually install the Extreme III on their 290X review unit for some testing and should be publishing a guide on it before too long, so I know it does work on the card.
ARCTIC Accelero Hybrid Extreme closed loop LCS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186067
Gelid cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835426031
Thoughts?
For the cooler months, I keep my thermostat at 72F, though right now it still gets up to 76-78F in my house. It'll be down to 72F max in another week or so though. But, during the summer, I am not going to be paying the electric bill to keep the AC at 72F.
I have until about May 2014 before this becomes an issue, I think, but I'm going to replace the stock cooler before then for sure.
I briefly looked at watercooling, but thats more money than I want to spend. So I'm looking at either full air coolers or closed loop LCS units.
Few of the models I've been looking at.
Arctic Cooling Accelero Xtreme III
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186068
I think THG actually install the Extreme III on their 290X review unit for some testing and should be publishing a guide on it before too long, so I know it does work on the card.
ARCTIC Accelero Hybrid Extreme closed loop LCS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186067
Gelid cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835426031
Thoughts?
