I really need some help here. I'm putting together my first computer and have a problem with my video card: it's running way too hot. It idles at around 70 C and when I try to run a game it overheats within 5 minutes. I did some research online and it looks like it's one of two problems: 1) the cards defective or 2) My power supply is inadequate.

I am no electrician, so reading about all the different voltage, watts, etc is tough for me to understand. For my system, I purchased a Hiper Type-R 580W power supply. I need to know if that power supply is giving it enough juice. I tried to understand that the power supply has +12v1 & +12v2. One is 20v, the other 18v. Now, if I understand correctly, you add those two together because it is still the same rail, even though it has two different parts listed. So, with a total of 38V, I should not have a problem with the card.

Please! Can anyone help me out on this? Thank you so much.

Oh, and my case is very well ventilated. The processor runs very cool. So, I don't think that's the issue.

Guess I should give some system specs:
LIAN LI PC-65B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
HIPER HPU-4K580-MS ATX12V v2.2 580W Power Supply
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600
SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card
ABIT AB9 LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
2 GB SDRAM DDR2 800
SONY 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE Model DRU120C
2 SATA HDD's

Looking at the specs for both your PSU and graphics card, I think it should be fine. The Hiper actually has 30A on the 12V rail. To arrive at that number, you don't just add the two 12V rails together. You look at total wattage allotted to the rails. That Hiper PSU has 360W max on 12V. You divide that total wattage by the rail number, that being 12. 360W/12V = 30A. Sapphire's website doesn't give power requirements for the X1950XT, but I'm guessing it can't be over 450W with 24A for 12V. If the PSU is functioning properly, it should be sufficient. Those temps are really high though. Is it artifacting at all when you play a game, or just getting hot? Are you sure the cooling system is functioning properly? Fans are ok?

Guys, thank you very much for taking the time to answer. I RMA'd the card back to Newegg, so hopefully in a week or so I should have a new one. I'm really glad to hear the PSU should work out for it. Building this computer has been quite a challenge. I'll let you know what happens when I get the new card...

I'm curious what the final results were, after receiving your RMA'd Graphics Card.

I'm building my 3rd PC (during my lifetime). Every time I do this, which is about every 5 years, it's like learning all over again. With technology changes happening every minute of the day, 5 years per upgrade is an eternity.

Anyway...As I'm building my machine I realize that my motherboard recommends a 450 Watt Power Supply. Dang, I purchased a 430 Watt unit. So, I think to myself; 430 should suffice...then looking at the specs on the graphics card it recommends a 450 Watt minimum as well.

Man, I'm not sure what to do now. So I'm looking for some input from you experienced gamers and video experts.

My primary reason for building this system is for video editing. I will be using my new Sony VX2100 in conjunction with Serious Magic's Visual Communicator. I have a brand new copy of Adobe Premier Pro 2.0 I'm installing also. During my research I learned that for video editing a recommended setup is to have a RAID level 0 (Striping). I pretty much understand that this is used for performance enhancements only and not for redundancy.

Here are my system specifications:

1 Pioneer 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM Read Black ATAPI Model DVR-111D - OEM
Item #: N82E16827129001

1 Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115003

1 Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b 1pk w/Upgrade Coupon for Vista - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116175

1 COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811119106

1 MSI P965 Platinum LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail Item #: N82E16813130055

1 SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814102067

1 Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC ATX 430W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817153023

1 Atech Flash XM-28U BLACK 28-in-1 USB 2.0 Internal Card Reader - Retail
Item #: N82E16820176005

2 Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822144701

1 SAMSUNG 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write, LightScribe Technology Black SATA Model SH-S183L - OEM
Item #: N82E16827151141

1 CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820145590 (This is 2 GB RAM Total)

Thanks for your assistance.

umm, what does the psu have to do with one's graphic card's temperature?

It's just that x1950xts come with terrible stock heatsinks. (much like the other cards in the 1950 series) Mine also idled at 70 C, and hit 95-100 when I warmed it up with the "fuzzy cube".

Try taking apart the next one you get: a healthy chunk of low. qual. TIM, and the plate is some rough aluminium with a copper square above the GPU.

Installing VF-900 dropped idle to 50c, and load temps to 62-65. Awesome eh?

That fuzzy cube kinda scares me. Is it an animal? is it an object? I think it is a demon because it burns my Video Card. 8O