Question about temps on HD 6970 2GB

[borley1863]

Hi, i have a hd 6970 2gb card i have been reading reviews and the reviews i read the average temp for idle seems to be around the 41C mark, well mine on automatic fan at 30% is 62C!
This concerns me a bit, when playing bf3 i peak at 89C, i'm not to worried about that as in a review they were getting the same on BC2.
To get my temps anywhere near 41C i have to put my fan on manual at 70%!
I use Catalyst Control Center for my temp readings.
here are my specs:
i5 2500k 3.3ghz oc 4.6ghz
8gb corsair ram
hd 6970 2gb
corsair Cx600 psu

Thanks any help apreciatd.

[sbohdan]

I can't believe how common this question is
Anyway, It's common knowledge, that manufacturers usually do a very sloppy job with applying TIM (thermal interface material) to the GPU. The paste they use is usually of poor (cheap) quality, applied too thick and not even (heck I even seen a GPU without the paste - they forgot to apply it ). Just carefully remove the cooler, clean the GPU and the bottom of the cooler and apply good quality thermal paste - this will lower your temps even below that what you read. Tests are often done on an open test bench, so make sure your air flow is good in the case and nothing hinders it (good cable management isn't just pretty but also useful). The first thing i usually do when buying a new video card is changing the TIM. It's an easy and cheap solution in lowering temps. BTW I have your idle temps @ full load with my OC'd card

Any good quality TIM will do.

[kenc51]

Hi, i have a hd 6970 2gb card i have been reading reviews and the reviews i read the average temp for idle seems to be around the 41C mark, well mine on automatic fan at 30% is 62C!
This concerns me a bit, when playing bf3 i peak at 89C, i'm not to worried about that as in a review they were getting the same on BC2.
To get my temps anywhere near 41C i have to put my fan on manual at 70%!
I use Catalyst Control Center for my temp readings.
here are my specs:
i5 2500k 3.3ghz oc 4.6ghz
8gb corsair ram
hd 6970 2gb
corsair Cx600 psu

Thanks any help apreciatd.

GFX cards are designed to run at those temps. It's not something you should worry about. You should only worry if you plan on overclocking it.

That said, you should keep an eye on the temps as as it gets used more and more, the fan will start to clog up with dust and the temps & or fan speed will increase. This just means you should clean the inside of your case, incl. the card once every 9mths or so.


Welcome to the forums!

Ken

[Major_A]

I agree with everything that has been said. Just to add a bit here. Most reviews are done in an open bench. Meaning there isn't a case to hold in the heat. We also don't know what case you have and how well ventilated it is either.

[chika7ilo]

I have Sapphire HD6970 2GB Dual Fan , running bf3 and cod4 on a little bit lower temps then you.

[DragonFury]

the best way to reduce the temps is to replace the HSF to a better one.