8800 Ultra is hot.

593 Views 12 Replies 5 Participants Last post by tNok85, Dec 7, 2009

tNok85

Discussion Starter · Dec 7, 2009

So, I bought my old 8800 Ultra out of retirement to run in my sig rig until prices calm down with the 5xxx series, and possibly until Fermi comes out.

It's actually doing an INCREDIBLE job. Only gaming at 1680x1050 ATM, but I'm running ARMA 2 maxed (except for AA) and it's smooth as butter. Empire: Total War with everything on high, except units on large, and it's great.

But the Ultra gets *HOT*. I know the G80 is alright up to ~90C, but in L4D2 it hit 98C the other day. Didn't crash... but oh man.

Running it with an HR-03+. Already took it apart, cleaned it, and put new AS5 on it. Same temps. Got some Antec fan on it. It's pushing air, not pulling.

Downside to this cooler....

It's blowing the air STRAIGHT down onto the GPU. I used to have it the other way (so that it was blowing the hot air onto the BACK of the card, not onto the GPU) but it won't fit with my new setup.

I tried using my Vantec Tornado, but the controller wire seems to be broken, and running that thing at 100% is like almost as loud as our cyclone vacuum cleaner. It did keep it under ~75C under full load though.

I guess in the end, any recommendations for a relatively quiet but still powerful fan for this? 120MM is fine, I don't mind jury rigging it, this is only a stopgap for a few months. Alternatively, would a bios mod dropping clocks and voltage a bit cool it down enough you think? I'm only @ 1680x1050.

Thanks!

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tha d0ctor

· #2 · Dec 7, 2009

you could drop the voltage with a bios mod but why not just let that ultra SHINE!!!

I'd try to fix that vantec tornado if all possible (yes they are freaking loud), also why not try tof ind a 120mm x 25mm fan under that heatsink blowing up, im sure it woundn't make that much for a difference in temps and airflow

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sgdude

· #3 · Dec 7, 2009

it seems like its fine if it bricks send it to evga and get a free replacement but i doubt that will happen. Tho i dont see how u get 98C with an aftermarket solution.

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DesertRat

· #4 · Dec 7, 2009

get a good fan on it. The HR-03+ was one of the best GPU coolers in it's time. IT shouldn't' be getting that warm at all even if you have a crappy fan on it.

Also, IIRC you can flip that cooler around so the heatsink is actually on the other side of the PCB. that might save some space w/ a big fan on it.

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tNok85

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 7, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertRat

Also, IIRC you can flip that cooler around so the heatsink is actually on the other side of the PCB. that might save some space w/ a big fan on it.

That is how it was, and if I recall it ran cooler like that. (Been a while)

But it won't fit in my current setup - hits the CPU cooler. (Xigmatec Dark Knight)

Any recommendations on a specific fan?

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dreadlord369

· #6 · Dec 7, 2009

That shouldn't be happening... My 8800gtx with the stock cooler ran around 80-85 under load. You sure you have decent airflow in your case??? Or maybe hot as hell ambient temps?

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tha d0ctor

· #7 · Dec 7, 2009

if you are feeling really ballsy take off the metal piece that surrounds the GPU's die, cover the areas around the card with tape, get sandpaper from 220 grit - 1500/2000 grit and something flat that can fit in your hand (small piece of glass, flat piece of metal, etc...) and lap that G80's IHS down real low!!!!

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tNok85

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 7, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreadlord369

That shouldn't be happening... My 8800gtx with the stock cooler ran around 80-85 under load. You sure you have decent airflow in your case??? Or maybe hot as hell ambient temps?

Actually, it's in an open case right now (Cosmos is shipping from Canada) and it's very cool in the room.

No other issues with any other components in the room. My i5 runs very cool, the 4850x2 in another PC runs very cool, no problems anywhere else.

I'm wondering if there's an issue, or I'm just failing hard for some reason at thermal paste.

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DesertRat

· #9 · Dec 7, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tNok85

That is how it was, and if I recall it ran cooler like that. (Been a while)

But it won't fit in my current setup - hits the CPU cooler. (Xigmatec Dark Knight)

Any recommendations on a specific fan?

personally I'd jerry-rig 2 80mm fans of any make/type on there w/ some zip-ties, but a 120 would probably do too.

A vantec 92mm tornado would be optimal IIRC. They're load tho, and it'll probably take 3 or 4 slots up.

edit:
Quote:

Originally Posted by tNok85

IIRC the g80s have an IHS. My recommendation would be to put a decent blob(bout the size of a grain of cooked rice in this case) on the center of that IHS, mount the cooler, then take it off and check the spread. If it's OK put it bakc together but twist it as you're putting pressure down to get out the air, then screw it down.

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tNok85

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 7, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertRat

personally I'd jerry-rig 2 80mm fans of any make/type on there w/ some zip-ties, but a 120 would proably do too.

A vantec 92mm tornado would be optimal IIRC. They're load tho, and it'll probably take 3 or 4 slots up.

That's what I have now, the 92mm Tornado. Unfortunately I work nights, and if I'm on when the girlfriend is sleeping, I want to let her sleep. Also, when I ran it briefly on the card a while back, people complained on Vent/TS/Skype that I sounded like I was putting the mic near a Vacuum cleaner.

I might try a pair of 80mm. That's not a bad idea.

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dreadlord369

· #11 · Dec 7, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tNok85

I think it maybe some temperature monitor issue then. Or maybe a messed up sensor The hr-03 is a sick cooler and theres no way it could let the gpu get that hot.

EDIT: A couple a things too, maybe it could be that the mounting system could have been screwed up during storage also. And I also wanted to mention that my 8800gtx with a stock cooler used to run at like 75-80 when I ran it without a case.

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DesertRat

· #12 · Dec 7, 2009

OBTW, make sure you are setting the fans up so it's blowing towards the PCB. YOu might think it's worse that way, it's actually better. The fan can't develop the proper pressure if it's trying to suck thru the fins, also the airflow helps cool the components and memory. Warm air is better than no air.

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tNok85

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 7, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertRat

Yeah, that's how it is now - pushing through the fins. It's just directly on the PCB now as opposed to the back of the card like it used to be.

Thanks all. I'll take a look at it tomorrow.

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