GPU fan question

runevirage · Jun 23, 2010

Hi, I was wondering how harmful it is to turn on GPU fans in an SLI setup to 100% for prolonged periods of time (6-24 hours) while the graphics card is under full load. In general, will doing so have a significantly increased risk of damaging the hardware? Thanks.

Icewind31 · Jun 23, 2010

short reply no

(the fans should ramp upto 100% if it really requires it, why not just let the normal fan routine run?)

newtekie1 · Jun 23, 2010

The fans are designed to run at 100%, so there is not risk in doing so.

mlee49 · Jun 23, 2010

1st off, what cards are they? 480's? or 9600GT's?

If they are lesser heat producing cards, I say leave the fan down to 70% or maybe even 50% and add a 120/90mm fan to them.

If they are super hot cards then leaving the fan on 100% may be a problem(for extremely long periods of time, aka weeks at a time) and you may want to rethink your purpose. Adding an additional fan in this scenario is a good idea as well.

runevirage · Jun 23, 2010

GTX 275s. On auto they get to 90-92 C at max load. I would prefer them at 75-80, which is where they're at with 100% fans. But I'm worried if that would damage the fans.

mlee49 · Jun 23, 2010

Any thoughts to adding a 120mm fan on the side? Would that help lower the temps and overt the issue of running at full speed?

sneekypeet · Jun 23, 2010

May I ask what Case these cards are housed in?

runevirage · Jun 23, 2010

sneekypeet said:
May I ask what Case these cards are housed in?

HAF 932.

sneekypeet · Jun 23, 2010

Well I cant imagine a lack of case air flow being the issue.

As Mlee suggested, try hanging a 120mm fan on the side of the cards, see if that helps.

I ran my fans at 100% for quite some time, did it shorten the life? maybe, but even if the fan was to die, there are plenty of budget aftermarket coolers. But cross that bridge if you come to it. I say if the 120mm doesn't help, do what you have to

SUPERREDDEVIL · Jun 28, 2010

if you´re going to put a fan on the side of the cards, be careful with the dust. dont let the dust reach the chips or the core chip on your card, or you need to clean the case every week or less and that´s a karma XD and look up also for noise, if you dont like too much noise just keep the cards fans to 85% and i think they should work fine

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GPU fan question

runevirage

New Member

Icewind31

newtekie1

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mlee49

runevirage

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mlee49

sneekypeet

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runevirage

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sneekypeet

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