Advice/Help with cooling design:

nelsonwcf

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Apr 12, 2016
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Hi,

After installing a GPU temperature tracker, I noticed that one of my video cards sometimes reaches mid 80Cs. When comparing this information with what is in the forums here, seems like it is too high since nothing I have is overclocked. Is this the right place for me to ask help with my case air flow design (before I started posting more detailed information)?

Thank you.
 
Not to worry.

First of all, graphics cards run hot, and they are designed to tolerate heat.
80c. is a typical temperature under load.
A card will perform as best it can with that temperature as a target.

What is your case?
The key to good cooling for a graphics card(or cpu also) is to focus on getting lots of cooling air INTO the case.
If you have two 120/140mm front intakes, that should be sufficient.
Whatever air that comes in will exit SOMEWHERE, taking component heat with it.
 

nelsonwcf

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Apr 12, 2016
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Hey goefelt. Thanks for the quick answer. I'm detailing my information below.

I have:

- 2 x GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 XTREME Gaming Premium Pack Video Card, N1080XTREME-8GD-PPR2 in SLI (which takes a lot of space in my case);
- Fractal Design Define R5 Black Silent ATX Midtower Computer Case;
- The motherboard is a Z170X-Gaming 7 (basically, the GPUs take almost all the space);

I changed the configuration two days ago to this one to try to improve the air flow (added on Noctua 140 in the front of the case and changed my second noctua that is located on the side, exactly over the two GPUs to send air outside).

- In the front of the case I have two 140mm fans sending air inside;
- On the back, I have one fan sending air outside;
- In the side, just over the two GPUs, I have one fan sending air outside;

Here are some pictures of the configuration if needed:

https://imagebin.ca/v/3orvDQPkc5Yd
https://imagebin.ca/v/3orvOfHjUetL

I don't want to use water cooling because since I'm not overclocking anything, I shouldn't need it.

Again, thank you for your help.
 
A very nice case.

Two 140mm front intakes is very good.
If they are filtered, your parts will stay cleaner.
Unfortunately, the side exit fans tend to destroy this cleaning action by drawing in unfiltered air from adjacent openings.
See what happens if you disable the side fan.
That way, the airflow will be directed more towards the rear and out the back.
I do not expect magical results, but who knows? It is an easy experiment.

Another option, is to install higher rpm 140mm front intakes.
That will cost you more noise.

What is your cpu cooler?

I would not worry too much. 80c. is not a big problem for a graphics card.

Lastly, how much benefit are you getting from sli GTX1080?
I know synthetic benchmarks will be very good.
But, usually gameplay is better with a strong single card.
You avoid stuttering, screen tearing, and non support in some games.
With the current high cost of graphics cards, you might come out ahead by selling two GTX1080 cards in favor of a single GTX1080ti.

 

nelsonwcf

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Thanks a lot for your help. My CPU cooler is one a

- Noctua D-Type Premium CPU Cooler, NF-A15 PWM Fans, Retail Cooling NH-D15S

So, in summary I should (or try to):

(1) Disable the side fan first and see the results;
(2) Depending on what I get, I should add a stronger front fan;
(3) Finally, compare a stronger 1080 card with my two SLI cards, right. Depending on the case, replace them.

Is this correct?

If so, some additional questions:
- Instead turning off the fan in (1), wouldn't it be better to invert the flow from outwards in inwards, like it was a couple days before, instead of just turning it off?

- I have two front side fans. Which one should I replace by the stronger one? I purchased the Noctua because I believed it was one the best. Which one would be a better option than it?

- I will make some tests. So far what I know is that in Witcher 3, the SLI cards work pretty well. However, in Batman Arkham City, SLI seems not to be supported, for example. So it depends on the game. In the case I decided to use three monitors, wouldn't having two cards be better than one only?

Again, your help is welcome.



 
1) correct. If it helps, remove it entirely for more free flowing exit capability.
I do not expect this to be a biggie.

2) Correct.

3) No, I am talking about a stronger GTX1080ti card. It is stronger than a GTX1080. If you do some testing of YOUR games using just a single one of your GTX1080 cards you will get some idea if the drop off in performance is major or minor.
If minor, then a stronger GTX1080ti might be a good idea.
Graphics card prices are crazy today because of mining. You may not even be able to find a GTX1080ti to buy.
Look for one of the factory overclocked cards like the EVGA GTX1080ti FTW.

OTOH, it might be a good idea to just wait until the next round of strong single gpu cards arrive, likely later this year.
The trend is for games to not support dual gpu.

It is easy enough to try different in/out options on the side fans.
A negative of using either is that you will negate the cleaning benefits of having ALL your intake come from one source and filtered.

Noctua fans are outstanding quality. But, if you want more airflow, you need versions that have higher rpm creating more airflow.
Noctua makes some industrial fans that run at 3000 rpm. Of course they will be noisier.
I don't know that I would chase them.
80c, for graphics cards is perfectly fine.
If you want to explore the limits of improved case cooling, take the case covers off and direct a house fan at the innards.
If that helps a bunch, look into case cooling solutions.

In the future, when you are into triple monitor gaming or 4k monitors, strong graphics is needed for high FPS games.
You may well need dual cards for fast action games.
I have no problem holding 60fps on my 4k monitor in civ 4/5/6. That is as fast as the monitor can go.
Truthfully, I think you should hold on to what you have until the next gen of strong single cards show up.