Crossfire Temperature Very Hot

youthanasia

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Oct 14, 2014
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4,510
Hi,

I recently purchased a 270x to compliment my already running 7870 OC to run in crossfire mode.

When initially running the configuration I noticed that at idle the cards were running at 50 degrees.

I started to run a few games, e.g., Grid AutoSport and Alien Isolation, and noticed the temperatures in Trixx going to 99 degrees.

I was a little worried so I decided to take one of my internal case fans and mount it to the wire mesh on the side panel. This instantly reduced the temperature by 20 degrees.

I've just purchased three NoiseBlocker B12-4's to mount into the front and rear of the case, and replace\run a long side my current side panel fan. Hopefully this will reduce the temperature a little more.

Now here is my question; Is it possible to get a standard height VGA cooler to un on my crossfire cards? The reason I say this is, the two cards are running side by side, and I mean that there is about 1-2mm of space between the two cards, so no room for massive coolers.

Does anyone have any ideas, as all the fans and heat sinks are much taller than the stock versions? I really want to get this system back into the 60's again.

Furthermore is it possible to just replace the fans on the VGA cards? And does changing the heat sink compound make much of a difference?

Current set up;
Asus Sabertooth 990FX
MSI 270X Twin Frozr
Sapphire 7870 OC

Thank you all.
Youth
 
Solution
70-80C is a great temp range for CFX setup, as they're usually hotter than the ever hot AMD, usually in 80s. But yours, at late 70Cs is good enough. Hoping for 60C is a bit impractical, and 80C doesn't really do any bad anyways. Adding case fans will help a bit too, and opting for af VGA cooler may lower them further, but unless you want to OC substancially, it's of no use over current temps.
Changing thermal compound makes a difference with old cards (I mean cards which have been used for more than couple of years), and cleaning dust off the card is as important.
70-80C is a great temp range for CFX setup, as they're usually hotter than the ever hot AMD, usually in 80s. But yours, at late 70Cs is good enough. Hoping for 60C is a bit impractical, and 80C doesn't really do any bad anyways. Adding case fans will help a bit too, and opting for af VGA cooler may lower them further, but unless you want to OC substancially, it's of no use over current temps.
Changing thermal compound makes a difference with old cards (I mean cards which have been used for more than couple of years), and cleaning dust off the card is as important.
 
Solution

youthanasia

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Oct 14, 2014
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4,510
Thanks for the response MeteorsRaining, I don't feel as bad as I originally did with the temperatures rising.

I am still looking for a VGA cooling solution, but other than water cooling I have not been able to find anything that will fit due to the nature of the two cards being so close to each other.

The three extra fans are yet to arrive, but I am hoping today is the day. I'll let you know if the these make any difference to the temperatures.

Thanks again.
 

youthanasia

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Oct 14, 2014
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Thought I'd give you an update on this one.

The three fans was a success in a way, I managed to get one of the cards\bottom (7870) down to 23 degrees idle from 50 and the second card\top (270x) to 39. So I guess this is good. I started to run the MSI utility for the temps as I can monitor the cards individually. Good advice for anyone wanting to monitor temps.

Still the top card is hitting 80 when in full motion, but the bottom card is great at 60, just where I want it.

Think I'll have another round and switch the cards around to see if this makes any difference, but an all round result at the moment.

Bit of effort involved in having to mount the case fans and keep airflow at a maximum, but not bad.

I'll cast my eye on some water cooling as I guess this is the next best and a lot quieter!

Thanks for the help.
 

youthanasia

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Oct 14, 2014
8
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4,510
Just as an update to you all on this, I did manage to get the temperatures down even further by moving the case fans around and testing different scenarios.

Top card now runs at 68-72 degrees and the bottom in the 40's, peaking at 46 under full load. Took a bit of effort and time, but it's looking good now.

Just a little noisy with all the fans, but nothing turning up the sound a little more can't remedy :), plus I've slowly become used to the low sound of the whiling fans.

So a great success with a cool rig. I would highly recommend the Noiseblockers although with hind sight probably gone for the two or three instead of the three fours I have. I just wasn't happy with the card in the 80's even though you state this is normal.

Thanks a million for the advice MeteorsRaining!