XFX R7970 Double Dissipation

QCube

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Jan 25, 2014
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Hey,

I got a new graphics card today. It's the XFX Radeon 7970 DD edition. It's honestly a thing of beauty!

I'm posting because I have some concerns about temperature. I was playing battlefield 3 just momentary ago and it's starting to become quite loud with the fans. That doesn't bother me that it's loud really, but the thing that's bothering me is that it's clearly being loud because it needs to be more cooler.

I checked and as soon as I got off BF3, My GPU was running at around 69 Degrees Celsius, I have only been playing it for 15 to 20 minutes, possibly less but I'd greatly appreciate it if someone could notify me if this was normal? I just have a lot of money into it and I don't want to pack it up on the first day :)!

Also, What boundaries should I keep on the GPU? like the maximum temperature I shouldn't exceed.

PC Rig as below
Mobo: AsRock 990fx extreme 3
CPU: AMD FX-8320 Eight Core Processor
PSU: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Pro (Core Edition)
HDD: Western Digital 1TB Black Internal Hard Drive
Case(Incase it could be a fan issue): Zalman Z11 Plus

Running in windows 7 64 bit.

Many Thanks!

 
Solution
That's a little high, XFX isn't known for making the best coolers. My sapphire dual x 280x barely breaks 60 on bf4. That being said after 15-20 minutes that temp is probably as high as it will get and is perfectly safe for the GPU to run at. Download evga precision and make a custom fan profile to help keep temps down and also the noise.
That's a little high, XFX isn't known for making the best coolers. My sapphire dual x 280x barely breaks 60 on bf4. That being said after 15-20 minutes that temp is probably as high as it will get and is perfectly safe for the GPU to run at. Download evga precision and make a custom fan profile to help keep temps down and also the noise.
 
Solution
The VRM's are probably throttling. I honestly have no idea what monitors VRM temperatures, but I think HWinfo64 might. The DD series was known to be horrible at cooling VRM's, but luckily they are tough and will only slow clocks, not die immediately. The max recommended temp for VRM's is ~120c, but XFX's lifetime warranty covers it.
 

QCube

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Jan 25, 2014
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Just downloaded and installed evga precision. amazing software! Thanks for pointing in the right direction!
 

QCube

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Jan 25, 2014
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Okay, I'm having more difficulties..

I was just playing Battlefield Bad Company 2 and my fan had went to full power, I know that couldn't be good..
I closed it straight away and it turned out that the GPU was 76 degrees celcius?

Is this even normal? Is it lack of fans I have in my case possibly? Should I take off the side panel and try it without it on and see if that's cooling it down?
 
Upwards to 80c is fine. 92c is even designed for in some models.
"(For gpu, temp., vrm temp etc. etc.)
you install and run HWINFO64 or HWINFO32 (64 bit or 32 bit version which depends on your Windows installation)" Find the VRM temps. My card doesn't monitor VRMs (doesn't use too much power), so I don't know where it will be there, but HWinfo does monitor it.
 

QCube

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Jan 25, 2014
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Hey,

Just writing back up here to let you guys know that I know exactly what it was..
The case I bought came with 5 additional fans, unfortunately only 3 of these were half decent... the two side panels.. ahh, I could've paid someone to breath through a straw and it would've been more air.. terrible fans..

now I have the acrylic side of the panel off and everything seems to be okay now, running BF3 at 60-62 degrees celcius which I'm quite happy with (That's max resolution and high settings too)..

Lesson learnt, don't buy sh*t fans...

I will continue to use the EVGA Precision software as I've gotten to grips with it and I really like the interface :)! Thanks on that one!