CPU or Video Card temperature issue suspected

Video card temperature:

80-90 is average
115 is threshhold
127 burnout

CPU temperature

up to 70ºC okay.

Speedfan 127º means nothing connected to the sensor.

I just got through running NewEgg's PSU calculator. With my peripherals and rig, they recommend a 550w and I have a year-old (at least) 510w. Would this explain something?

You should get a new PSU, something decent for sure like an OCZ 600W or Corsair.

Poor voltage regulation could cause overheating, but it's doubtful that is your problem... unless of course your PSU itself is getting too hot. Of course, bad power could cause crashes that are NOT related to heat, especially while gaming.

I use a program called Sensors View (I think, it's on the other OS right now) that has a graphing function so that I can track actual temps while gaming.

RealTemp also works... it displays the max temp for that session.

I had another episode - but I'm getting really good at taking insta-snapshots and marking them up in Fireworks.

The only difference between this occurrence and the last is that I have the side of my case off and my can facing out of the case.



I'm going to put the side-panel back on my rig since I don't see the whole "remove it" advice that I got when this all began as improving it.

If you are going to take the side of your case off, you need a big fan blowing in. Taking off the side often worsens temps as the airflow through the case is destroyed.

I'm about done for the night, but I thought I'd report the latest change. The side-panel is back on the PC. While I can feel the graphics chugging considerably (and they are all turned down, mind you - I was able to play TF2 for about 40 minutes with no crash-out.



Any thoughts as to the true cause of this mystery?

I am continuing to get confused. Is it my PSU? Is it my CPU temp? Is it my videocard temp? What factors would allow me to determine the true cause? I got the following response to another board where I have crossposted this issue:

Okay rivatuner should be able to give an accurate reading on your GPU temperature and more importantly the fan speed.

Here is a guide (http://www.vaguetech.com/users/dwood/blog/tutorials/rivatuner/) for making use of its more advanced functionalities.

However, for now we just want to keep a tab on the fan speed and temperature. In that guide, scroll down to the "Configuring Automatic Fan Control" and follow the steps to bring up (and configure) the real time monitors that the program provides.

Further thoughts?

A three-photo flickr photoset is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/docba [...] 364487364/

I will use some compressed air as soon as I get the chance. Sadly, I am preparing to go away for a day or so. As a result, I won't get around to some of these proscribed ideas until Sunday.

Okay, I have performed a bit of work on my computer. Among these:

[list]Removed all cards, used either contact cleaner and/or compressed air and cleared any fans, syncs of dust.

Moved a few cards further down the tower to allow for more space between the video card and the others.

Removed a CD/RW drive (bringing the total to 1).

Removed a hard drive (bringing the total to 3).

Used zip ties to affix a standard-size casefan into the area where the 5¼ bays would be - it now pushes air through the computer and out the back.
[/list]

Based on my informal test of almost an hour of TF2, I have found that the CPU is down from 75° to 60°. The videocard is not down at all - it's still hovering at 109 to 110.



I tried to swap out my 510watt PSU for an Antec 550watt PSU but then found that the connectors won't work with my motherboard's connectors. I'm sure it's an out-of-date issue, I'm just enough of an old timer to remember when I didn't have to give a damn about PSU connectors (wheezing noise).

Next on the agenda:
Reboot this machine, boot up TF2 and then crank up the options again. We'll see how the graphics card temperature fares (though I am to understand they have a higher tolerance - is this true?). When I first started using the graphics card, I could have TF2 cranked all the way up and it was butter.

The "tomorrow steps" are going to be:
[list]Use a bunch more twist-ties to tie things off so that the air will continue to move through, and won't get blocked by a fallen wire.

Work on the media server. If I can get that assembled PC to function. If so, I will move an additional hard drive to that machine.[/list]

Thanks for the reply. I am running through the Riva Tuner documentation right now. I had no problem until I got to this part:

To proceed to the next step click the “Add” button (plus sign) (Again, ignore any crossed out text) [immediately followed by a graphic]

I think I may have a slightly different iteration from the software used for that tutorial, because I can't add the conditional-information that triggers the fan profiles. Any thoughts? Am I just missing something.

I agree that I may be looking at a new video card real soon - but I want to forestall that eventuality as much as I can.

Ah yes I just modified the default settings. Set the fan control to direct and the fan to 85%.