GeForce 6800 GT as a passive-cooled card?

stan412

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Jul 7, 2006
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Hi,

I have a graphics card that is not really discussed often, the GeForce 6800 GT model, but I hope I can get some feedback. :)

When I had my stock fan on the card, it usually idled at 62c, and maxed to 69c during heavy gaming.
When I installed a Zalman VF100 (the passive-cooled card) with a 120mm fan right next to it, it idles at 55c and maxes out around 63c.

Now, the reason I wrote this, is because I guess I am sort of a noob when it comes to some things, this being the temperature about graphics cards.
With the Zalman VF100-installed card but without the fan, I was idling at 69c, and going as high as 80c.
THe problem is, I don't know when a temp is too high. I know there is the temp threshhold maxing at 120c, but I still worry about shortening its life expectancy(?) of the card, if it goes to the 80c's.

I have a small midtower case, and plan to use it as an HTPC that is completely fanless, and I don't want to sweat bullets worrying about the GPU temp. :p

Thanks guys!