Is RX 9070 VRAM temperature regular value or hotspot?

[droopyRO]

Do we know what nVidia reports on theirs?

On my 4070, it is under GPU Memory Junction Temperature in Hwinfo64, same for my 9070. I still have to decide if i keep it, it's a Powercolor Reaper 9070.
The GPU and GPU hot spot temps are great, but the vRAM goes to about 92ºC with 24ºC ambient. That means that in a few months it will go to about 100ºC since i have around 30-32ºC in my room in the summer months.

Now, *tin foil alert !
My 4070(Asus Dual) and my 9070 both draw about 200W, the 4070 is about 950 grams the 9070 is 860 grams. The Nvidia card is 10º hotter on the GPU core, but 10º cooler on the vRAM. How ?
The AMD card has PTM but no way that accounts to -10º while having the memory 10º hotter.
So, maybe AMD is under reporting the GPU temperature ? like on the first gen Ryzen there were two temperature readings for the CPU.

This are the two cards head-to-head

Total War Warhammer III RX 9070 vs RTX 4070 Benchmarks

 

[rusty caterpillar]

On my 4070, it is under GPU Memory Junction Temperature in Hwinfo64, same for my 9070. I still have to decide if i keep it, it's a Powercolor Reaper 9070.
The GPU and GPU hot spot temps are great, but the vRAM goes to about 92ºC with 24ºC ambient. That means that in a few months it will go to about 100ºC since i have around 30-32ºC in my room in the summer months.

Now, *tin foil alert !
My 4070(Asus Dual) and my 9070 both draw about 200W, the 4070 is about 950 grams the 9070 is 860 grams. The Nvidia card is 10º hotter on the GPU core, but 10º cooler on the vRAM. How ?
The AMD card has PTM but no way that accounts to -10º while having the memory 10º hotter.
So, maybe AMD is under reporting the GPU temperature ? like on the first gen Ryzen there were two temperature readings for the CPU.

This are the two cards head-to-head

Total War Warhammer III RX 9070 vs RTX 4070 Benchmarks

What particular 9070 you have?

Nvidia reporting maybe on top of the VRAM chip sensor while AMD is reporting the middle of the chip where is hotter, also PTM is only on GPU core not VRAM on AMD cards.
Also have to mention you might not have T pads in between B plate and PCB, some models doesn't have T pads.

Of course you can’t compare GPUs from different designers/manufacturers.
We know that on AMD the reported VRAM temp is Memory Junction, meaning the hottest spot of all chips.
Do we know what nVidia reports on theirs? …because we know already that they hid the GPU hotspot.

Yeah, that is said, the peak temp, in other words: the hottest VRAM chip reading on TJ(in the middle of the chip).

What if you take an conservative and expensive approach sensors placement: 3 sensors/ VRAM chip 1xTB +1XTJ + 1xTC and calculate an average

Taking Igor Diagram so 65+84+69= 218 /3 = 72.6 C a more reassuring value from the marketing point of view



Still TJ is good enough value for me, and more realistic, knowing the the high thermal resistance on GDDR6. Also maybe the GDDR6 was pushed to the limits on the 9000 series so we need the more realistic values instead of TC.

 

[AusWolf]

Of course you can’t compare GPUs from different designers/manufacturers.
We know that on AMD the reported VRAM temp is Memory Junction, meaning the hottest spot of all chips.
Do we know what nVidia reports on theirs? …because we know already that they hid the GPU hotspot.

It doesn't matter. Lower is better. So the winner is my GT 1030. It barely exceeds 50 °C on the GPU and who knows what on the VRAM. Best card ever! Highly recommended.

On my 4070, it is under GPU Memory Junction Temperature in Hwinfo64, same for my 9070. I still have to decide if i keep it, it's a Powercolor Reaper 9070.
The GPU and GPU hot spot temps are great, but the vRAM goes to about 92ºC with 24ºC ambient. That means that in a few months it will go to about 100ºC since i have around 30-32ºC in my room in the summer months.

Now, *tin foil alert !
My 4070(Asus Dual) and my 9070 both draw about 200W, the 4070 is about 950 grams the 9070 is 860 grams. The Nvidia card is 10º hotter on the GPU core, but 10º cooler on the vRAM. How ?
The AMD card has PTM but no way that accounts to -10º while having the memory 10º hotter.
So, maybe AMD is under reporting the GPU temperature ? like on the first gen Ryzen there were two temperature readings for the CPU.

This are the two cards head-to-head

Total War Warhammer III RX 9070 vs RTX 4070 Benchmarks

Sure, but it also reports GPU hotspot, which is a more realistic value, imo. My Reaper XT does 61 °C on the GPU, 83 °C hotspot, and 88-90 °C VRAM.

Do you know how close the VRAM chips are on your 4070? It seems to me that AMD moved them very close to each other and to the GPU on the 9070.

 

[droopyRO]

No i never opened the card, i would loose the warranty. But TPU has pictures of it https://www.techpowerup.com/review/asus-geforce-rtx-4070-dual/3.html

Maybe, but measuring it would be hard without opening the cards or having good photos of both of them.

I wonder if that has anything to do with the temperatures.

 

[AusWolf]

No i never opened the card, i would loose the warranty. But TPU has pictures of it https://www.techpowerup.com/review/asus-geforce-rtx-4070-dual/3.html

I didn't mean opening the card, but pictures like that.

That GPU die looks pretty small, with a large interposer that seems to distance it from the VRAM chips a bit. I wonder if that has anything to do with the temperatures.

 

[AVATARAT]

I also added a fan and under the card so the better airflow helps the temps.

 

[AVATARAT]

Everything is in the new box (APNX V1), the temps stay about the same (1-2C lower) but the RPM drops 150-400 lower.
So yes, all VRAM temps should be around 80-84C, depending on the cooling capacity of the airflow of the box. If your case has poor airflow, then temps. will jump high.

 

[AusWolf]

Everything is in the new box (APNX V1), the temps stay about the same (1-2C lower) but the RPM drops 150-400 lower.
So yes, all VRAM temps should be around 80-84C, depending on the cooling capacity of the airflow of the box. If your case has poor airflow, then temps. will jump high.

View attachment 395705

So how is the airflow in that case? Do you have any fans pointing at the card?

 

[AVATARAT]

So how is the airflow in that case? Do you have any fans pointing at the card?

The airflow is very good for GPU cooling in this case, I bought it because of that. Yes.
*I also have a fan above the GPU (backwards), but not in this picture (it's only during assembly).

 

[AusWolf]

The airflow is very good for GPU cooling in this case, I bought it because of that. Yes.
*I also have a fan above the GPU (backwards), but not in this picture (it's only during assembly).

View attachment 395714

So would it be safe to conclude that the 9070 (XT) needs more than decent airflow, preferably one or more fans pointing at it for sub-90 ˚C VRAM temps?

 

[AVATARAT]

So would it be safe to conclude that the 9070 (XT) needs more than decent airflow, preferably one or more fans pointing at it for sub-90 ˚C VRAM temps?

When the card cooler is weak (because AiB doesn't want to make it better), we need to help it do its job better. So a fans below and above the card + decent airflow is our solution.

Every card needs good airflow, and as you know, airflow can vary really a much from case to case.

 

[AusWolf]

When the card cooler is weak (because AiB doesn't want to make it better), we need to help it do its job better. So a fans below and above the card + decent airflow is our solution.

Every card needs good airflow, and as you know, airflow can vary really a much from case to case.

What I find it weird is that every card with Hynix chips seems to run hot unless extra airflow is directed at it.

 

[AVATARAT]

What I find it weird is that every card with Hynix chips seems to run hot unless extra airflow is directed at it.

Different memory chips work differently, but a few degrees can't change the situation.

What I find it weird is that every card with Hynix chips seems to run hot unless extra airflow is directed at it.

By the way my card seems to have Hynix chips
Haven't checked it before.

 

[AusWolf]

By the way my card seems to have Hynix chips
Haven't checked it before.

And you have fans directed at it, hence your good VRAM temp.

I'm planning to do the same with mine. My current case has no fans under the GPU, just a solid metal shroud, but I'm planning to move my system into a different case that has bottom fan mounts. My Arctic slim fans are already here, I hope they'll fit under the m-ATX board.

 

[freeagent]

…because we know already that they hid the GPU hotspot.

Only on the new ones

 

[Zach_01]

And you have fans directed at it, hence your good VRAM temp.

I'm planning to do the same with mine. My current case has no fans under the GPU, just a solid metal shroud, but I'm planning to move my system into a different case that has bottom fan mounts. My Arctic slim fans are already here, I hope they'll fit under the m-ATX board.

Finding the “right” case is a complicated thing when your components get a bit hot. I run my systems for years without a case for that reason. Just with 3 fans on strategic places you can get the job done, but had to deal with dust quite often. The minute you put it in a case you need so much more air flow getting through the case. That’s why I got one of the larger cases I could find without breaking the bank that can hold a load of fans. That also comes with compromises involving space and weight.

 

[rusty caterpillar]

Everything is in the new box (APNX V1), the temps stay about the same (1-2C lower) but the RPM drops 150-400 lower.
So yes, all VRAM temps should be around 80-84C, depending on the cooling capacity of the airflow of the box. If your case has poor airflow, then temps. will jump high.

View attachment 395705

What was the RPM on case fans, front and rear during the test?

Finding the “right” case is a complicated thing when your components get a bit hot. I run my systems for years without a case for that reason. Just with 3 fans on strategic places you can get the job done, but had to deal with dust quite often. The minute you put it in a case you need so much more air flow getting through the case. That’s why I got one of the larger cases I could find without breaking the bank that can hold a load of fans. That also comes with compromises involving space and weight.

Yeah, I failed miserably in choosing mine. I've done 2 major modifications and I'm happy with the results but, I paid dearly in cost and labor, with emphasis on the later.

 

[AVATARAT]

What was the RPM on case fans, front and rear during the test?

I can't remember.

Here it is with the last curves:
Ch3 is the back fan, which I'll probably change to something with a lower RPM.

 

[rusty caterpillar]

I can't remember.

Here it is with the last curves:
Ch3 is the back fan, which I'll probably change to something with a lower RPM.

View attachment 397801

So CH 2 and CH 4 are front fans 14 cm. Thanks.

 

[AVATARAT]

So CH 2 and CH 4 are front fans 14 cm. Thanks.

CH3 - 1 hub for fans on which are included the bottom, front and top fans, 14 cm. CH2 - another hub on which are included 3x 40 mm for memory cooling. CH4 is the one on the back and is 12 cm because I can't put 14 cm There is also a 14 cm one on the side panel and a 14 cm one above the video card but they are at 500-600 RMP .

 

[68Olds]

So we pay >700 € for a card to do some ghetto modding later, yeah? Crazy times. I really can't see reason for some GPU makers to avoid putting thermal pads between PCB and backplate. Those few pads are not worth even 1 € when bought in bulk. I'd much rather have thermal pads than stupid RGB elements.

Lol, PowerColor RX 9070 XT Red Devil, being sold for >940 €, has no thermal pads between backplate and PCB. The most expensive RX 9070 XT right now. You pay that much for a GPU, than you take down backplate, remove that piece of shit plastic blocking air exhaust ...

View attachment 394247
... and you put thermal pads where they are supposed to be.
View attachment 394249
Voilá! PowerColor RX 9070 XT Red Devil Finish-At-Home Edition ...

I might try those mods at some point in the future. I'd use putty instead of pads though. Good to see the RGB Devil blocking the fan grill can be removed. That should really open up airflow for the 3rd fan.

I haven't seen any real issues with temps yet, but I might see them in the future.

Is the €940 for the Red Devil or Red Devil Limited Edition? I paid $790 for my non-LE Red Devil. Prices have gotten out of hand, for sure.

 

[rusty caterpillar]

I might try those mods at some point in the future. I'd use putty instead of pads though. Good to see the RGB Devil blocking the fan grill can be removed. That should really open up airflow for the 3rd fan.

Yes, I would remove the led panel as well.
With the mods I would start with the top mod, top of the back plate, T putty + heatsinks + fan or just T putty heatsinks.

 

[AusWolf]

Yes, I would remove the led panel as well.
With the mods I would start with the top mod, top of the back plate, T putty + heatsinks + fan or just T putty heatsinks.

Why bother removing the LED panel? Why not just buy a cheaper model that doesn't have it in the first place, like the Hellhound for for example?

 

[rusty caterpillar]

Why bother removing the LED panel? Why not just buy a cheaper model that doesn't have it in the first place, like the Hellhound for for example?

I don't have it, why don't you ask him?
You see, Led Panel doesn't make sense even on better coolers.

 

[AusWolf]

I don't have it, why don't you ask him?
You see, Led Panel doesn't make sense even on better coolers.

You said you would remove it if you had it. Never mind.