Improve GPU cooling???

mmaatt747

July 24, 2012 12:43:55 AM

Hi all,

I built this computer and it runs great. However, it seems like my GPU runs a little warm considering how much airflow I have with this case and how cool the CPU stays. The case has plenty of open space. I just ordered a second GPU and will run them in SLI but I am a little concerned about having 2 cards so close together and keeping the temps down. I was thinking of overclocking them a little too (if it's possible since these are already factory overclocked).

The GPU runs around 78-79 degrees playing BF3. My CPU runs around 53 degrees and it's even overclocked to 4 GHz.

If you look at the pictures there are 2 spots still open where I could add 2 more 120mm fans at the very front of the case. Would this make much of a difference to the GPU?

I would appreciate any advice or suggestions anyone has. Also, do you believe my PSU will handle the 2nd card and 2 more 120mm fans if I do add them?

Here is what I currently have:

CPU Intel i5-2500K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Motherboard Asus P8P67Pro B3 Revision
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Memory 4 x 4GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Storage 2 x 120GB OCZ Agility 3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

GPU Zotac Geforce GTX 570 Amp edition 780 MHz Core Clock
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

PSU Corsair TX750 Enthusiast Series V2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Case Antec Eleven Hundred
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Here are 4 photos of my build. The red arrows are fans currently installed. All of the case fans are 120mm, except for the top fan which is a 200mm fan.

Please let me know if more info is needed. Thanks very much.

More about : improve gpu cooling

| E-mail me updates
| Report abuse

Z1NONLY

Overclocking Authority

July 24, 2012 1:41:18 PM

Cooling looks good, but can you put an intake fan at the bottom facing up?

| Report abuse

skaz

July 24, 2012 2:01:04 PM

I do recommend putting two front intake fans in the front. Even moving the middle ones would suffice. The reason being is because the middle ones aren't doing much but pushing air around inside your case. Two front intake fans would be intaking ambient cool air immediately from their spot. Ambient cool air then gets pushed to wherever is need, warmed up and hopefully exhausted out of the case.

Next, your GPU temperatures aren't terrible. My GPU hovers in the mid/high 80s constantly while playing BF3. =)

| Report abuse

mmaatt747

July 24, 2012 2:17:51 PM

Z1NONLY said:

Cooling looks good, but can you put an intake fan at the bottom facing up?

No, I wish. The only vent at the bottom is use by the PSU. So that air goes straight out the back of the PSU and not into the case.

| Report abuse

mmaatt747

July 24, 2012 2:21:45 PM

skaz said:

I do recommend putting two front intake fans in the front. Even moving the middle ones would suffice. The reason being is because the middle ones aren't doing much but pushing air around inside your case. Two front intake fans would be intaking ambient cool air immediately from their spot. Ambient cool air then gets pushed to wherever is need, warmed up and hopefully exhausted out of the case.

Next, your GPU temperatures aren't terrible. My GPU hovers in the mid/high 80s constantly while playing BF3. =)

Thanks for the input. I actually did have those middle ones at the front in the beginning. But then I was worried that most of the air was getting blocked by the drive bay racks. So I moved them to the internal fan bays. But it really made no difference in GPU temps. Maybe if I add 2 more to the front, then that will get enough air moving throught the drive bays to the GPU.

That makes me feel a little better knowing that yours runs fine in the 80s too.

| Report abuse

mmaatt747

July 24, 2012 3:22:02 PM

geofelt said:

Grraphics cards do run hot, but they are built to do so. Up to 100c might be tolerable.
Unless you are having graphics based slowdowns, I would not worry too much about it.

Your case looks clean, and I doubt that any added fans will be of much help.
More fans will just add to noise.
If you want, take the side covers off and direct a house fan at the insides.
That will simulate what maximum cooling from more fans might do.

GTX570 is a fine card, but it is an older generation, and will run hotter than the newer gen 28nm cards like the GTX670/680/690.

When you add a second card in sli, you will aggravate your cooling problems. In part because of the added heat generated, but also the close proximity of the two cards tends to restrict the airflow to the top card. Fortunately, your motherboard provides one slot separation.

If money were no object, replace the GTX570 with a single GTX690.

You should be OK for sli GTX570 with the Corsair 750w psu which is a good quality unit.

Thanks Geofelt. Good idea about the house fan. I've got one lying around and will give it a shot and see if it changes anything. Unfortunately money is very much an object, hehe. Amazon had my card at $220 when everyone else seems to be still above $300 for it so I decided to go ahead and get a second card since that is within my budget.

Cheers.