Recently upgraded my graphics card, now my CPU+GPU running hot.

[Nightbeat]

I switched from a GTX 1070 to a GTX 1080 Ti. Amazed with the card itself, has allowed me to run Modern Warfare at 120~130 FPS. But as the topic title suggests, my CPU and GPU running hotter. At least I think. You see, the top of my case never used to get warm to the touch on the old GPU, but after a spot of gaming, I touched it and was shocked to find that it was warm to the touch. Not hot, but warm. Being used to it being room temp or cooler, this came as quite a shock. I downloaded HWiNfo to monitor my CPU/GPU temps, and under load they were maxing out at 84C~.

I'm not sure if I've created an airflow problem. The card is about an inch longer than the old one, but it is not obstructing the intake or the exhaust, barely anything has changed place. The new GPU uses more power, presumably. 8+6 pin connectors instead of the old ones 1 8 pin. I've recently cleaned and dusted the whole interior. Ill give the intake fan a good vacuum, but the problem clearly has something to do with the GPU as this wasn't a problem until I installed it.

On the top I have a Corsair SP120 120mm pushing air out, and 2 Be Quiet! Pure Wings 2 140mm fans on the front pulling air in, which should go straight into the GPU. I'm not sure if that's too little going out, or maybe just not enough fans in general?

Before the upgrade the temperatures were about 70C~72C.

Chassis: Corsair 280X
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Power Supply: 650W Corsair RMx
CPU Cooler: Wraith Prism RGB
GPU: Gigabyte GTX 1080 Ti Gaming

If there is anything else to know, well, let me know. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Toothless]

You added more heat to the case with a stronger GPU. 1080Ti pulls more power and that's where the extra performance is coming from. You can run the front fans harder but theres not a whole lot you can change unless you wanna drop on a new case or better fans.

Edit: looks like there could be an air pocket where the gpu is and to the left of the cpu. Maybe rig a fan to the back of the case for exhaust?

 

[Faide]

You could use MSI Afterburner to Overclock/Undervolt your GPU. I did it for my laptop. Basically kept max GPU clock speed but at lower voltages. It made a huge difference in GPU temps but no drop in performance which in a laptop also helps reduce CPU heat since they share same cooling.

 

[Nightbeat]

I added two more fans directly below the GPU, and now GPU temp is about 79C~80C. (4-5 degree difference).

Fan configuration:
2x front intake
1x top rear exhaust
2x bottom intake

Do I need more fans or is it too much?

You could use MSI Afterburner to Overclock/Undervolt your GPU. I did it for my laptop. Basically kept max GPU clock speed but at lower voltages. It made a huge difference in GPU temps but no drop in performance which in a laptop also helps reduce CPU heat since they share same cooling.

I was trying to undervolt my GPU but it didn't help.

 

[joemama]

I added two more fans directly below the GPU, and now GPU temp is about 79C~80C. (4-5 degree difference).

Did you try stacking the computer higher above the ground? From the picture of the case it seems that the bottom side is pretty close to the ground, which will make it hard for the fans at the bottom to pull air in.

You can also test it by stressing your GPU with the case open, if that makes a lot of difference, then the airflow inside the case isn't enough. If that doesn't help, then it's the GPU's own problem, if it is a second hand card used for years, you might wanna change the thermal paste.

 

[Nightbeat]

Did you try stacking the computer higher above the ground? From the picture of the case it seems that the bottom side is pretty close to the ground, which will make it hard for the fans at the bottom to pull air in.

It's about 2~3cm higher above the ground.

You can also test it by stressing your GPU with the case open, if that makes a lot of difference, then the airflow inside the case isn't enough. If that doesn't help, then it's the GPU's own problem, if it is a second hand card used for years, you might wanna change the thermal paste.

I tried to play with the case open, and GPU temp is about 82-84C - same as before I added the bottom fans. I think it's the GPU's own problem.
I was changing the thermal paste when I bought this second hand GPU. I think I may have put too much thermal paste on it...

 

[c12038]

yeah way too much paste on that

it should be a film coating spread out evenly to avoid hotspots.

 

[Frick]

That poor die is drowning.

 

[Faide]

I was trying to undervolt my GPU but it didn't help.

View attachment 179478

Thats because you overclocked the entire curve so you didn't reduce the voltage you are using. You need to keep your max gpu clock speed the same as it was before but using lower voltage. So choose your max GPU clock speed say 1900 MHz but have that clock speed at 900 mv. Make the curve flat after 900mv. That way your max voltage usage will be 900mv. This dropped temps quite a bit for me.

 

[Toothless]

It's about 2~3cm higher above the ground.



I tried to play with the case open, and GPU temp is about 82-84C - same as before I added the bottom fans. I think it's the GPU's own problem.
I was changing the thermal paste when I bought this second hand GPU. I think I may have put too much thermal paste on it...


View attachment 179496

I see you also learn from the tech Jesus in the ways of paste.

 

[Nightbeat]

Idk where I saw how much to apply, I thought the X method covers better the component.

I re-applied thermal paste and now the GPU idles around 34° C and heats to about 79° max under heavy load. That’s still hot, but lowering peak temp by 4-5° C.

 

[Rei]

Idk where I saw how much to apply, I thought the X method covers better the component.

I re-applied thermal paste and now the GPU idles around 34° C and heats to about 79° max under heavy load. That’s still hot, but lowering peak temp by 4-5° C.

View attachment 179597

MY GOD!!! That is still too much paste. It should be much smaller than that. Just about pea-sized should do fine. With the amount of paste that you applied, the heat won't transfer well to the sink & the paste will just drip into the die which could potentially be dangerous. Make sure that you scrape & clean any dry excess paste on the die with a plastic scraper or a dry, soft toothbrush.

JESUS!?! The amount of paste that you applied on post #6 makes it seems like you just jizzed on you GPU.

As long as your GPU temperature stays around 80°C at max load then your GPU will do just fine. GPUs can handle heat up to 110-120°C but the max recommended is 95°C.

 

[ebivan]

Temperatures per se dont really matter. Its not important if your cpu is stable at 60c or 80c. But sticking at 84c could mean throttling. If youre cpu runs into thermal throttling, you should optimize cooling to a level where no more thermal throttling happens.