just how hot?

[DX]

Just how hot can a 8600gt go "safely". I recently ran a video card bench test on it and while running it the card got up from its normal 56-58c temps in game to a scorching 78c. I was thinking about running the folding client on it but I'm not so sure I will now if my GPU is going to get roasted.

[Darkstar]

GPU's are designed to handle higher heat, high 70's C isnt anything to worry about. It probably depends on which card you have and wether its passively cooled or fan cooled too, but they can hanlde temps in the 90's

[DX]

OK that is nice to know I have an evga 8600gt and thought that it was going to suffer a china syndrome the way the temp jumped up. I think though that I'll remount the heatsink/fan and get some arctic silver 5 on it just to help move the heat a little better. The cooling solution looks to be on the weak side after that little bench I ran on the card.

[DMB2000uk]

Yeah, stock graphics card heatsinks aren't particularly great. AS5 should help some, but to get a decent temp drop an aftermarket cooler is going to be needed.

Some cards are even rated at 110oC, which is ridiculous if you ask me.

Dan

[aircommando13]

I believe the max is 115 c, so you're not doing so bad. After all it should shut down long before any serious damage takes place in the card. However I still wouldn't want to go any higher than 80 c under load just to be safe. I have a G92 video card so it stays at about 34 c under load even after overclocking.