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GTX 970 Very high temps under load

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Hello! So recently I got used(around 6 months) Zotac GTX 970 AMP! Extreme Core and when I'm playing games or benchmarking my load temps are between 75-79C (Never hits 80C), in reviews the card is around 60-65C. It doesn't matter if the card is overclocked or at stock. First I thought it was a thermal paste issue and I changed it with ID-COOLING ID-TG31 and nothing changed. My case is NZXT Source 210 with 1 intake fan which is spinning at around 700rpm and one exhaust at around 1000-1200rpm(I think it's an airflow problem). Thanks in advice!
 

tabascosauz

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Likely an airflow problem. 1 intake and 1 exhaust is definitely not enough if you want good temps with decent hardware. In the Source 210, unless you have a lot of high CFM /pressure fans, that large drive bay will block airflow to the GPU.

In reviews, cards are usually benched using open air bench cases, hence the stellar temperatures. Get more and better fans, and/or get a better case. Changing GPU paste is usually not necessary for relatively new cards.
 
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As long as it's under 80c I wouldn't worry about it. I used to run my 5770 in the 90's all the time, never hurt it. With that said, case airflow makes very little difference after 2 fans (I watched a video a long time ago showing very little benefit past 1 intake/exhaust. By all means, get more case fans if you want, but if you want real results, undervolt the card.
 
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Beside airflow issue, you can also check your GPU fan profile. From my experience owning 4 different ZOTAC's non-reference cards, their default fan profiles are always on the quiet side, not aggressive enough to cool down the GPU.

If you're willing to stand the noise, you can try to install Afterburner and create your own fan profile.
 
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you can try to install Afterburner and create your own fan profile.

^+1

I do the same thing, my gtx1070 doesn't spin it's fans when idle but I want it cool on idle and load so I use AB.
 
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If you want to trade quietness for lower temps, use curve like this:
msia_fan.jpg

if it's too noisy at heavy load, move all points 10 degrees celsius to the right
 
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As long as it's under 80c I wouldn't worry about it. I used to run my 5770 in the 90's all the time, never hurt it. With that said, case airflow makes very little difference after 2 fans (I watched a video a long time ago showing very little benefit past 1 intake/exhaust. By all means, get more case fans if you want, but if you want real results, undervolt the card.
When it's under volted with custom bios at 1137.5 the temps are around 74C.
 
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Beside airflow issue, you can also check your GPU fan profile. From my experience owning 4 different ZOTAC's non-reference cards, their default fan profiles are always on the quiet side, not aggressive enough to cool down the GPU.

If you're willing to stand the noise, you can try to install Afterburner and create your own fan profile.
Well when the card is under heavy load the fans are spinning at around 2000rpm.
 
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Reviews often use open test benches which aren't even remotely realistic. Or they often use absurdly oversized cases because they are easy to work with for reviews, but again, aren't exactly realistic for most users. Besides, modern GPU's are designed to operate up to 90°C. If you keep it at around 85°C you'll be more than fine.
 
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Reviews often use open test benches which aren't even remotely realistic. Or they often use absurdly oversized cases because they are easy to work with for reviews, but again, aren't exactly realistic for most users. Besides, modern GPU's are designed to operate up to 90°C. If you keep it at around 85°C you'll be more than fine.
The card is always under 80C.
 
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Then you don't have to worry. I'd probably loosen up the fan curve a bit. Well, I did that with my GTX 980... It's like hardly audible under max settings under 1080p resolution. I value silence over heat...
 
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Then you don't have to worry. I'd probably loosen up the fan curve a bit. Well, I did that with my GTX 980... It's like hardly audible under max settings under 1080p resolution. I value silence over heat...
The temps when the fans are at 100% are pretty much the same.
 

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The temps when the fans are at 100% are pretty much the same.

Then probably a clear indicator that your cooling is lacking. A better case that isn't bargain-basement would help, along with some decent case fans.

User claiming that "any more than 1 fan intake + 1 exhaust gives little benefit" should probably go higher than a GTX 650 Ti before commenting on the effect of effective airflow on the heat of a decently powerful graphics card.
 
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make certain that all thermal pads are in the proper places, clean too.
 
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80 C is fine you are creating problems that aint there..

try running it with the case side off.. just for curiosity.. see if it makes any difference..

trog
 
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80 C is fine you are creating problems that aint there..

try running it with the case side off.. just for curiosity.. see if it makes any difference..

trog
Little to no difference.
 
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Little to no difference.


something you do should make a difference.. do you know if the card is throttling down.. ??

80 C wont do any harm its normal.. but its a puzzle that whatever you do make no difference.. he he

trog
 
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something you do should make a difference.. do you know if the card is throttling down.. ??

80 C wont do any harm its normal.. but its a puzzle that whatever you do make no difference.. he he

trog
75C when fans are at 100%.
 

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As already said you need more airflow. 1 fan at 700rpm is nothing. Either let it run on high rpms 1100+ - as much as possible - or install more case fans. You can't expect good temperatures without any real airflow.

If you want a silent case with good airflow you need more fans.
 
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As already said you need more airflow. 1 fan at 700rpm is nothing. Either let it run on high rpms 1100+ - as much as possible - or install more case fans. You can't expect good temperatures without any real airflow.

If you want a silent case with good airflow you need more fans.
I actually have 2 fans, 1 intake around 700rpm and exhaust at around 1000rpm.
 

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I'm talking about fresh airflow, the exhaust isn't helping in that matter. Again let the intake fan run on higher rpms, it's way too slow.
 
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I'm talking about fresh airflow, the exhaust isn't helping in that matter. Again let the intake fan run on higher rpms, it's way too slow.
I'm changing my case to S340 soon so yeah.
 
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Little to no difference.
Yeah, that sounds a little fishy.

I run my cases without sides and makes a bit of difference.

Though, out of curiosity what is your ambient? Most of those reviewers run at lower ambient. Heck, even the ones who test AIOs units test with ambient at 19C. Usually with higher ambient you will have higher temps. I know since I am stuck with ambient around 25C+ most of the hot months of Summer.
 
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if taking the case side off makes little difference more fans wont make much difference ether.. :)

nothing in the machine is much of a heat generator and 80 C or less is perfectly okay.. play some games and enjoy it.. :)

just out of curiosity.. what is the room ambient temperature at this 80 C or less.. ??

trog
 
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