Need help with cooling issue.

[BenV.2]

Hi all.

I just recently got an EVGA GTX 460 and a new powersupply and have been having some problems since.

I'll be playing a game for about 10-20 minutes when all of a sudden the frames per second drops a lot.

I'm pretty sure my system is overheating when it gets pushed (someone recommended a program called "speedfan" and it shows the GPU is getting mid to high 80 degrees celsius, my Q6600 proccessor is showing high 90's on all four cores)

Can anyone recommend some good, not crazy expensive cooling systems that should help? My case is a Thermaltake Soprano if that helps at all.

Thanks

[mDust]

Hi all.

I just recently got an EVGA GTX 460 and a new powersupply and have been having some problems since.

I'll be playing a game for about 10-20 minutes when all of a sudden the frames per second drops a lot.

I'm pretty sure my system is overheating when it gets pushed (someone recommended a program called "speedfan" and it shows the GPU is getting mid to high 80 degrees celsius, my Q6600 proccessor is showing high 90's on all four cores)

Can anyone recommend some good, not crazy expensive cooling systems that should help? My case is a Thermaltake Soprano if that helps at all.

Thanks

Hello, welcome to TBCS.

80C for a GPU, while high, is not going to affect its performance. However, 90+C on your CPU will likely kill it very shortly. I recommend you do not stress it anymore until you get a new cooler or otherwise fix whatever is wrong. 70C for a q6600 is very high, 80-85C risks damage to it, and the high 90s are destroying it.

First, what kind of heatsink is currently installed? Has it been recently removed or otherwise changed and possibly not installed correctly? What kind of case do you have and what kind of airflow do you have through the case? What is the ambient temperature?

[blaze15301]

speed fan sucks for that kind of stuff use hw monitor or core temp. core temp is just cpu hw monitor is for everything.

[Oneslowz28]

Actually for monitoring the GPU and speeding up its fans, download EVGA Precision. It even works on non EVGA cards.

[x88x]

Ouch! If those temps are correct, then yeah, that's definitely the problem. I'm sure it varies from card to card, but whenever the integrated GF9400 on my old MBB would top 80C my system would BSOD. :dead: And yes, 90C on any CPU is very bad. ...well, not quite very bad on a P4 EE, but still... :P

Could you post pics, make, model, etc of your current cooling system(s)?

[BenV.2]

Um I'm not very computer savvy I'll try and answer all those. The case is a thermaltake soprano, it come with one fan on the front, one on the side and one on the back. The front one is sucking in air, the other two are blowing air out.

All the cooling is whatever comes standard on the card and other bits.
Ambient temps range from 20 degrees to mid 30's.

Icould post some pics tomorrow if you want them?

[SXRguyinMA]

yes pics would help :up:

[Blibbax]

Um I'm not very computer savvy I'll try and answer all those. The case is a thermaltake soprano, it come with one fan on the front, one on the side and one on the back. The front one is sucking in air, the other two are blowing air out.

All the cooling is whatever comes standard on the card and other bits.
Ambient temps range from 20 degrees to mid 30's.

Icould post some pics tomorrow if you want them?

It's probably not case cooling that's your issue here. You need to take a look at the cooler on your processor itself - just take of the side of the case (the side with the fan in it) and take a photo if you're not sure.

Contrary to one earlier post, yes 80-90 degrees is acceptable for a modern GPU.

It is not acceptable, however, for a Q6600. Download something like realtemp or coretemp to get reliable readings, and DO NOT PUT ANY STRESS ON THAT CPU UNTIL YOU'VE SORTED THIS. That's no gaming, no movie encoding, no epic multitasking. You really will break it.

I'm guessing that what's happened, if you've not changed anything, is that the fan on the CPU cooler has stopped spinning (turn it on with the case off just to see if this is the case?), that the heatsink has lost contact and needs new thermal paste / new screws / new clips. On the other hand, you may have altered fan speed or voltage settings by some bizarre accident.

[mDust]

If the CPU has only been getting hot like this just recently, then a dead heatsink fan may be to blame...or one that's clogged with dust/pet fur/smoke/etc. I'm going to assume that it's a stock Intel heatsink strapped on there, and if that's true then I would suggest an upgrade even if it is working properly.
775 heatsinks at performance-pcs (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=46_185)
775 heatsinks at xoxide (http://xoxide.com/intelsocket775.html)
775 heatsinks at frozen-cpu (http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l3/g40/c14/s52/list/p1/Air_Cooling-CPU_HeatsinksCoolers-Socket_LGA_775-Page1.html)
I personally don't recommend anything under $20US because you'll end up with another stock cooler but with lights and paint...and history would likely repeat itself.

[BenV.2]

Hey guys.

Here are the photos. Exactly how I got it from the store after they installed the new Graphics card and power supply.
http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt242/BenXH/PC211129.jpg

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt242/BenXH/PC211128.jpg

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt242/BenXH/PC211127.jpg

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt242/BenXH/PC211130.jpg

Just tell me if you need any more specific photos.

[x88x]

I can't quite see it clearly, but the CPU power lead looks not quite right to me...check and make sure it's plugged in, it almost looks like it's going off the wrong way.

[Blibbax]

Is the CPU fan (the one in the middle of the PC with the Intel sticker) clearly spinning when the PC is on?

If it is, then try removing the CPU heatsink and fan, checking the paste on the reverse and then reseating it. The paste should be moist and even. Don't be too rough when reattaching the heatsink.

[Diamon]

I'd second getting a new air cooler for the CPU. It shouldn't cost you too much and you can install it yourself in 20 mins.
TBCS is not responsible for any deaths or injuries that may occur during the process. :P

[mDust]

TBCS is not responsible for any deaths or injuries that may occur during the process. :P

Correct. Diamon has graciously accepted responsibility for any and all damages, injuries, deaths, etc that result from errant, flippant, or just plain wrong advice given by any TBCS member from now until the end of time.

Thanks again, Diamon!

[Diamon]

No problem mDust. I mean how could anyone injure themselves from following advice given by a TBCS member?

[x88x]

No problem mDust. I mean how could anyone injure themselves from following advice given by a TBCS member?

Yes, yes...do as I say, not as I do..you'll probably live longer. :whistler:

[Blibbax]

No problem mDust. I mean how could anyone injure themselves from following advice given by a TBCS member?

I'm not sure, but I'd like to take this opportunity to recommend crossing motorways with one's eyes closed as a cure to the common cold.

[SXRguyinMA]

I'm not sure, but I'd like to take this opportunity to recommend crossing motorways with one's eyes closed as a cure to the common cold.

or play frogger like this guy :facepalm:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101229/ap_on_re_us/us_frogger_wreck