GPU is 80 degrees celcius when doing nothing HELP!!!

Yoda777 · Jul 10, 2014

My GTX 550ti is overheating when doing nothing or idling. When I shut down my PC and wait a little it cools to 30 celsius, but then raises again without playing any game or anything. Could it be my specs?

500w PSU
GTX 550ti
500gb HDD
AMD FX-4130
ASUS M5A97 LE R2.0
8gb of RAM

scout_03 · Jul 10, 2014

does the gpu fan spin and when was the last time you dust off the system.

nukemaster · Jul 10, 2014

Some things to do.

Make sure the fan is in fact still turning.
Clean the heatsink and fan with a canned air duster.
Use GPU-Z(on the Sensors tab) to ensure the card is in fact not loaded(unwanted background task perhaps.).

Yoda777 · Jul 10, 2014

scout_03 :

Yes the fan spins, and I recently got the pc so I havn't claned it

coolcole01 · Jul 10, 2014

if you dust it and it still gets hot open it up and re apply the thermal paste

Yoda777 · Jul 10, 2014

coolcole01 :

Should I be changing the paste on a regular basis or no?

coolcole01 · Jul 10, 2014

Yes from time to time it does go bad but certainly not on a regular basis by no means

nukemaster · Jul 10, 2014

Lucky for you the 550ti has an easy to remove cooler if you do wish to try the thermal paste.

I have NEVER actually had to change it(not to say I have not to swap coolers and stuff), but maybe I do not put enough stress on my cards over years.

By any chance did you get to see what GPU-z had to say about load to ensure something is not keeping the card working for no reason?

coolcole01 · Jul 11, 2014

I had it happen on my old 6950's and on a hd 7970 msi lightning found it just by taking a shot

Yoda777 · Jul 11, 2014

nukemaster :

I checked GPU-z and it was barely even loaded. It fluctuated from 5% and 0% just on Google Chrome.

nukemaster · Jul 11, 2014

Ok those are normal loads. I just wanted to be sure because some users have had unwanted malware installed that would pull systems(cpu or video card and maybe even both at times) into a mining ring to make money for the designer of said malware.

I guess if the heatsink and fan are clean, it is time to get some thermal paste/ isopropyl alcohol(Drug stores and many grocery stores have it) / and q tips(coffee filters clean old paste good as well).

-Remove the cooler with the 4 screws around the GPU section(normally right above the PCI-E slot connector). cards with custom coolers may have more screws so keep an eye out for this.
-Clean the GPU and heatsink contact area with the alcohol and q tips/coffee filters.
- Apply fresh paste to the GPU die. Some users place a small blob while others will use a straight edge like a razor blade or cleaned credit(clean it with the alcohol) card to spread an even layer.

In general thin coats are better, but depending on the heatsink(how perfectly flat it is) sometimes a bit thicker will be better. By thicker I am talking maybe as thick as a heavy sheet of paper so nothing too thick. Too much paste can lead to higher temperatures while too little can lead to air gaps and temperature issues as well.

You may notice the card has a HUGE pile of paste, this is how they do it at the factory(large blob and slap the cooler on). Just try to clean it up as well as you can(take care with the small parts around the die, an old soft tooth brush dipped in alcohol may make gentle cleaning around the die a bit more easy.). Around the die does not have to be perfect since the paste they use should not conduct, but the die should be as clean as possible(and that is not hard to do).

Yoda777 · Jul 11, 2014

nukemaster :

Ok those are normal loads. I just wanted to be sure because some users have had unwanted malware installed that would pull systems(cpu or video card and maybe even both at times) into a mining ring to make money for the designer of said malware.

I guess if the heatsink and fan are clean, it is time to get some thermal paste/ isopropyl alcohol(Drug stores and many grocery stores have it) / and q tips(coffee filters clean old paste good as well).

-Remove the cooler with the 4 screws around the GPU section(normally right above the PCI-E slot connector). cards with custom coolers may have more screws so keep an eye out for this.
-Clean the GPU and heatsink contact area with the alcohol and q tips/coffee filters.
- Apply fresh paste to the GPU die. Some users place a small blob while others will use a straight edge like a razor blade or cleaned credit(clean it with the alcohol) card to spread an even layer.

In general thin coats are better, but depending on the heatsink(how perfectly flat it is) sometimes a bit thicker will be better. By thicker I am talking maybe as thick as a heavy sheet of paper so nothing too thick. Too much paste can lead to higher temperatures while too little can lead to air gaps and temperature issues as well.

You may notice the card has a HUGE pile of paste, this is how they do it at the factory(large blob and slap the cooler on). Just try to clean it up as well as you can(take care with the small parts around the die, an old soft tooth brush dipped in alcohol may make gentle cleaning around the die a bit more easy.). Around the die does not have to be perfect since the paste they use should not conduct, but the die should be as clean as possible(and that is not hard to do).

Thanks after doing this and everything everyone has said its cooling down to its normal temperatures and sticking to it. Thank you all so much.

nukemaster · Jul 11, 2014

Glad to hear you got it fixed up.

It is better on your type of card, some cards like the 4870 need the full cooler removed in such a way that memory and VRM cooling thermal pads can rip and need to be replaced(I need to get some of those pads for the future. I mess with things too much).

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GPU is 80 degrees celcius when doing nothing HELP!!!

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