Hot X1800XL card

[Dro]

My new X1800XL card with 256 memory goes up to 87 - 90 degrees C in about 10 minutes. It seems to level off at this range. The fan is very quiet and doesn't seem to be running fast at all. Shouldn't it run faster at such a high temperature? Is this normal operation? Is there a way to increase the speed of the fan manually? Why isn't fan speed responding to the high temperature automatically?

I read those temperatures at the screen used by ATI Catalyst for overclocking. (But overclocking was still locked). Is it possible there is an error in the reading? I don't feel good about using this card until I resolve this temperature issue.

[kenc51]

You can install ATITool and set the fan to run @ 100%

Those temps are high, but I've seen higher. GFX cards can run hotter than cpu's (the nv 7800 can run upto 115C b4 it will lower speed)

If you plan on overclocking the card, then get an aftermarket cooler....

[Apoptosis]

Since you are overclocking you might want to invest in a better cooling solution. Since you have the X1800's the cooling solution will work on the X1900's so down the road you can move the HSF over! Wise investment if you ask me!

The temperatures are a bit high, but you can up the fan like Ken said to help cool them better.

Welcome to the forums! Be sure to enter the Mushkin contest!

[Dro]

Thanks for the information. I will download ATITools and set the fan at 100% to see if that helps.

I am happy to have discovered this forum and relieved already that my video card isn't going to meltdown immediately.

I have an Athlon 64 X2 3800+ cpu on an ASUS A8N-SLI Premium motherboard. I think there is room for overclocking improvement, but I am a total novice at it so I am glad to have found a place where I can get some help.

Someone mentioned it might not hurt to check the heatsink paste. Do you think this is a good idea? Does that void the ATI warranty? If the fan is defective I would like it to be covered under ATI's warranty. Thanks again.

[kenc51]

With that setup your sorted mate!

That board and cpu rocks!!! You should be able to get a nice overclock....and were always 'round to help!

Changing the paste on the GFX card may lower temps by a couple of degrees....but only if you use a quality paste (AS5 etc.)
BUT technically if you take off the HSF then you void the warranty!
Chances are if you need to RMA it, you'll get away with it....but there is always the chance they find out!
If your concerned, then keep the stock HSF for a few months, I've found that if something like a gfx card is going to die, it does it in the first few months!

most people will change the fan and never look back.....

in the end it's a judgement call, only you can make.......

[Dro]

I looked for ATI Tools on my Catalyst software disk but couldn't find it. Then I went to the ATI website and did a search on ATI Tools and about 50 subjects came up but nothing that looked like it might pertain to the X1800 video card. What do I need to be able to access these tools? Thanks.

[kenc51]

it's not made by ATI....

Download here
http://www.techpowerup.com/atitool/downloads.php

[Dro]

Thanks for all the help. I installed ATITool and set the fan speed to 100%. There was a slight increase in the sound of the fan but certainly not loud. (You would hardly notice the difference unless you were listening for it.) But it made a dramatic effect on the temperature of the card. The temperature came down to around 56 degrees C which seems a lot better.

I also want to mention there is about a 13 degree difference between the temperature reported by my ATI Catalyst software (69 degrees C) versus the ATITool software reporting 56 degrees. I don't know which is closer to the actual temperature, but I would like to think it was the ATITool.

Again I appreciate all of your help and I feel very happy about my card. Thanks.

[kenc51]

Thanks for all the help. I installed ATITool and set the fan speed to 100%. There was a slight increase in the sound of the fan but certainly not loud. (You would hardly notice the difference unless you were listening for it.) But it made a dramatic effect on the temperature of the card. The temperature came down to around 56 degrees C which seems a lot better.

I also want to mention there is about a 13 degree difference between the temperature reported by my ATI Catalyst software (69 degrees C) versus the ATITool software reporting 56 degrees. I don't know which is closer to the actual temperature, but I would like to think it was the ATITool.

Again I appreciate all of your help and I feel very happy about my card. Thanks.

Helping each other is partially what this place is all about!
Don't forget to do as Apop suggested!
Enter the Mushkin contest => 2GB of ram will make gaming Soo much better!!!
http://forums.legitreviews.com/viewtopi ... sc&start=0

[Black Mesa Scientist]

I'm in and I hope I win!!!!!!

That's a nice slogan...a lil' offtopic though