GTX 980 SLI Increases Heat Significantly

Ransome · May 17, 2015

Core i5-3570K (running @ 4.2 Ghz - slight auto voltage OC).
X2 Gigabyte G1 Gaming Geforce GTX 980 SLI.
Asus Sabertooth Z77 Motherboard
16 GB of G.Skill ripjaw-X DDR3 1600Mhz (x.m.p profile)
SSD 256GB Crucial M4.
HD Western Digital Black 2TB
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14
Case: Corsair CC600T Graphite White Special Edition
PSU: Corsair 850AX Gold
Running Win 8.1 64bit. Pro
Monitor: Asus ROG SWIFT PG278Q 2560 x 1440p
Secondry Screen: 55" TV: Samsung UA55D6400 TV1080p 60Mhz
Connected via Pioneer VSX-823-K AV Receiver

Last week I received my 2nd GTX 980 for SLI.
Both are Gigabyte G1 Gaming GTX 980s.
At the moment I don't use the automatic software fan-curve of MSI - I just let the fans run at default auto speeds.

When I had 1 GPU, the temperatures of my case and cards were quite low. 70 Celsius was the highest my single GPU would get.
Having installed the SLI, and changed nothing else, the temperatures have increased dramatically:
While my lower (new card) stays 10-15 cel. degrees lower than my primary (old) card.
Playing The Witcher 2, at 144fps limits, and over 90% GPU usage:
GPU1: 80 Cel.
GPU2: 70 Cel.

I also feel more heat coming out the top my case, and I feel the room hotter, even with AC on.

Summer is coming, and Israel is a hot place. I am concerned. I read online that it's normal, and that the 2nd GPU throws it's heat up - increasing the heat of the primary card. However I also read that G1 Gaming's temps are suppose to be low thanks to the triple fan.

If I use software auto fan - it gets really noisy, but only loses 5 Cel. or so.. Might have no choice though.
Caste fans are running between 75-90 % speed (I have a rotating gauge)

Should I be concerned? Is 80 GPU 1, and 70 GPU2 bad or OK? I don't want to over-heat my system.

McFee · May 17, 2015

I would consider putting a fan in the side of the case. that can get air in between the cards. unfortunately the fan style of those cards kinda traps the air in the case and not out the back. I think that might help drop the temps of the top card a few. what is your fan config right now?

Ransome · May 17, 2015

McFee :

I don't think I can install another fan in this case. That said, I love this case, the Graphite White 600T is a beautiful and brilliantly designed.
I should also mention that I have a perfect and clean cable management, all cables strapped neatly on the back, nothing dangled or messy in the case's interior (thanks to the elegant and clever cable management solutions of the Corsair 600T).

Here is the fan setup (scroll down) (this is the black version):
http://www.corsair.com/media/cms/applicationnote/600T_Features_and_Testing_Guide.pdf
Another pic:
http://www.corsair.com/en-us/special-edition-white-graphite-series-600t-mid-tower-case
And here is how my case looks currently, nice and spacey:

(My case is closed by the glass door).

JackNaylorPE · May 17, 2015

The 600T is a bit short on fan options

Front: (x1) 200mm
Top: (x1) 200mm or (x2) 120mm
Rear: (x1) 120mm

Are there perhaps mounting options on the back side of the HD cages ? If so a fan here would go a long way towards solving ya problem....

Ransome · May 17, 2015

Just wanted to give you some idea of how and where my system is located:

I don't thinnk there is.
There is a large empty space on the back of the HD cages, but I don't see how I can fit a fan and secure it there. Maybe it's possible but I don't see how.
Maybe on the CD-rom slots, it's a large empty space, but there are no mounting options that I can detect.

I tried searching online for some reference photos:
This guy placed the HD/SSD cage on the middle lower section (there is a mounting there):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/keto/Computer%20Case/660T-Done.jpg

The other guy manage to place a fan in between the cages and the cd slots (a bit problematic imo):
http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab305/luiscardenas3931/DSCF1976.jpg

I personally prefer the clutter free open space design. I wish I could somehow fit a fan in the empty CD bracket. Don't know how to secure it, and not sure if it will help the GPUs.

DelroyMonjo · May 17, 2015

Try using the mesh side panel screen which came with the case, instead of the window.

Ransome · May 17, 2015

DelroyMonjo :

I can, it may help on the short run, but I rather not. The glass door not only looks much better, it also proved to be able to deter dust and prevent it from going inside the case. The glass door is more "dust proof", and thus the better option on the long run, in my opinion.

(Besides mesh isn't half as neat).

The main question remains: is the temp of 80c for gtx980 ok?
Additionally, does it make sense that SLI increases my primary gpu's (upper) temps by that much?
(gpu1 80 cel ; gpu2 70 cel at over 90% load).

I read online that increasing the distance between the gpus might help reducing SLI temps. However motherboard recommends putting the 2nd GPU direclty below the 1st (See 1st picture above).
So I don't know if it's practical.
I might need to buy a longer SLI bridge for that. What do you guys think?
EDIT: seems the Sabertoothz77 only has 2 pcie slots for gpus:
http://dlcdnwebsite.asus.com/existone/websites/global/products/wMYmwl5uuG2ml3jJ/overview.jpg

I need more ideas please...

Ransome · May 17, 2015

Still need help guys.
Take a look at my pics, any thoughts? Installing a fan on top of the cage might help. Removing the cage might help too. Not sure about both. Can't think of anything else.
Using MSI auto fan curve reduces temps but not enough and will make a ton of noise.

JackNaylorPE · May 17, 2015

I dunno if ya can see them but there's (4) fan mounting screws on the side of the HD cage in this pic

Took the lower cage out to mount two fans on the bottom

krells · May 17, 2015

I had the same problem and for me getting more air out of the case at the top and rear worked more than trying to bring more air in. I have the 760t which is similar to your case. Replaced the rear exhaust fan and my radiator fans at the top of the case (exhaust) brought the temperature down below 80c. In demanding games it will go up to 76c or so but the gpu fan only spins at 59% and the boost clock doesn't throttle to control the temp anymore. Might be worth a try to experiment with exhaust fans at the top of the case.

bystander · May 17, 2015

80C is not a problem, and is nothing to worry about. Worry if they reach 90C.

JackNaylorPE · May 17, 2015

The 9xx series throttles at 80C.... you can see this with GPUz (sensors tab)

Ransome · May 18, 2015

I will say I am quite clueless at the moment and confused. Here is what I thought:
Look at this picture:

A) Installing a good 120 or 140 mm fan here (Intake) might be the best option.
I found an old stock 120mm fan (raidmax) and temporarily placed it here. It MIGHT have reduced temps, but the fan is weak, and not very effective.

B) Putting the same stock fan over here didn't do anything.
C) + D) Even if I take out the cage, there is no place to mount a fan here. Even if I manage to place 1 or 2 fans at the bottom floor- as you can see its a blank one piece metal plate. There are no holes or mesh so no air will go inside / outside. I don't think placing a fan here would be effective.

D) I can consider moving the cage from D to C, or removing the cage from the case entirely. Then I will need to place the SSD on the bottom, and HD on B.
Problem is, it will make for a less neat setup. Also it will make it harder to install a fan on A.
Pros: It might clear up the airway tunnel coming in from the 200mm front fan.

E?) placing a fan on the back? Intake or Exhaust? Just thinking if it's an option.
*) I think the Noctua CPU fan kinda block the exhaust efficiency of the upper 200mm fan.
Currently I am leaning toward placing a good Intake 14/12cm fan on A, and mount it on top the cage (D).
I am going to buy a good case fan right now, it's a gamble.

Also, If I remove the cage, I might be able to hang it from above, it will be ugly though.

What do you guys think?
Also I noticed that the GPU throttles a bit (reducing clock speeds when GPU1 reaches 80c. And since it is SLI it also reduces GPU2).
I guess I can always raise Temp target to 85c ?!

Please help. I am starting to give up here.

Ransome · May 18, 2015

Update: just bought the NOCTUA NF-A14. 2000 RPM 140MM.
going to see if I can strap it with zipcuffs or something makeshift to point (A). Will put it on intake (get air inside).

Can't find a proper spot for exhaust anyway..

Will update later..

bystander · May 18, 2015

I'd personally see about removing the drive cage located at D, and place the drive(s) in the upper cage area labeled b, which may require special brackets.

Ransome · May 18, 2015

After a good morning of hard work, here it is:

I strapped the NOCTUA NF-A14 on top the cage, directly pouring cold air onto the 2 GPUs and in between. Creating an airway tunnel going over and inside them.
I have also cleaned the case up, clear away any loose cables and strapped them even more neatly at the back.

And what do you know:

Seems I managed to lower the temperatures by 8-10 Celsius !
Game was running for awhile: GPU1, @over 95% load,@144fps, fan speed 52% only (default speeds) = 70-72 c.

If I turn on auto-fan curve in MSI I imagine it will go even further down.
I think it works! I need to do longer gaming sessions, but where I had 80c before I now have 70c with no throttling.

Ransome · May 21, 2015

bystander :

Thanks for you advice. I bet removing the cage would help to some extent. However as you can see in my comments and pictures above, I have found a solid solution, that's both elegant and effective. I recommend anybody with similar setup to consider installing such a fan blowing cold air onto and through the 2-GPUS. Playing The Witcher 3,with 95 and 98 GPU load, default low fan speeds at 69-71c.

JackNaylorPE · May 21, 2015

Ransome :

Glad it turned out the way I expected. Nice job with the zip does, looks good. Hopefully more case manufacturers will follow phanteks lead and put mounting screws there.

Ransome · May 22, 2015

JackNaylorPE :

Thank you guys.
If only I could also provide better hot air exhaust, the setting would be perfect. However, if it ain't broke don't fix it right?

Strangely enough the 2nd GPU's temps didn't come down really @ over 90% load. It is lower when idle or browsing (browsing in Chrome increases GPU1 temp to 41-43. Stupid google).

The temps are virtually identical so at 95%-98% load GPU1&GPU2 are 68-71 c. (usually 70c). (Playing TW3 at 1440p!)

Still I am happy with the results. a 10c degrees reduction of temperatures - is a mighty achievement. The temps are lower than average. I love the Noctua cooling products. Their CPU air-cooling and this new fan are top notch! Highly recommended.

uglyduckling81 · May 22, 2015

Took you all morning to attach 4 cable ties? LoL.
Good job though mate. Nice clean setup.

GTX 980 SLI Increases Heat Significantly

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