HD 4870 X2 Strange Heat Issue

Purke · August 2nd, 2009, 05:53 AM

hellow

i have a very strange problem with my msi 4870 x2 , im not really sure when it started but i think it was when 9.5 or 9.6 came out officialy ..

problem is.. in idle working on 50% fan i get 77c on my first core and 55c on my second core ... if i turn on 100% fan i get to 60c on my first core and 50 on second one but very slow takes about 5min too cool down so much,..

when i start a game my temperature goes around 100-105c , screen starts to flicker and if i dont shut down the game pc will hang ! just for the records it happens on every game, 3d mark 06 etc ...

now the funny part .. i start a game... screen flickers , i can see then the temperature is very high. . so i shut down the game... do a bit internet surfing waiting to cool down .... come till 60-70c ... then i try to shut down or restart my pc .. it takes about 5-10min and then i get BSOD , from my exp would say this is a software problem .. oh yeah and i use win 7

So here's what i did :

1. reinstalled driver many times (9.-5,6,7)
2. did the safe mode cleaning with driver sweeper
3. Cleaned the 4870x2 , checked all the cables

Im out of options , so i need your help guru's

quick info about my card : i have it like 3months now .. worked very very well (under load max temp around 75c)

DOOMJESUS · August 2nd, 2009, 11:10 PM

i'm surprised it still functions after hitting 105c.
it won't for long.
if you keep running it at those temps, that card will turn into a paper-weight before your eyes.

sounds like the cooler may not be making good contact with the chip.

if you haven't done it by now, you should try removing and carefully re-seating the cooler to ensure even, light pressure across the chip with no air spaces and use some arctic silver or other quality heat goo between the chip and cooler.

i also recommend using software in windows to control the fan with or that you edit the bios to ensure that the fans never go below 40% or 50%.
all gfx chips need more cooling than the bios defaults of the last 3 ATI cards i purchased...

darthcyclonis · August 2nd, 2009, 11:51 PM

I agree... Does not sound like a driver issue. Not only reseat the cooler on your card and make sure it is clear of dust, but check the air flow of your case. You would be suprised that 1 GPU will stay cool and another won't if your case does not have good air flow. I have had that issue with my Asus 4870X2

IModAmd · August 6th, 2009, 01:58 AM

Change the thermal chewing gum for a proper thermal paste could help too...

Chaos · August 6th, 2009, 06:10 PM

what size case is the system housed in and is there good airflow? Also check to make sure the screws on the back side of the card are tight

Purke · August 8th, 2009, 08:12 PM

ok guys... thx 4 help ...

problem solved !

did this > http://www.octeamdenmark.com/forums/...ead.php?t=2774

moded my fan , got artic silver 5 , and i still cant belive my temperatures

Max load i get 55c-60 idle 40c , i sow VGA's with the new cooler for 4870 x2 from Artic Cooling , and they have like the same temps ...