GTX 580 overheating issue

[jesusgotnailed]

Hey guys, I've had my EVGA GeForce GTX 580 for a little over 2 years now (Feb 2012). Here is a link to it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130587

My problem is that over the past few months I have noticed it becoming extremely loud when I'm playing my games. I checked the temps and fan speed with AIDA64 - the GPU temp is reaching 96, even 98 degrees Celsius with the fan running at 85% ~4500rpm. That is way too hot even for the 580 right? What should I do.... look into getting it exchanged with EVGA? I clean out the insides of my computer and the components every couple months, most recently only a couple days ago.

Thanks guys!

 

[coolcole01]

at its age i would say its time to open her up and change the thermal paste

 

[jesusgotnailed]

You sound right on the money. I didn't even think about that! I'll order some tomorrow and report back later on.

 

[RobCrezz]

Yeah as above, thermal paste is probably dried up and not doing a good job. Get it changed and you should be good. You need to use a little more on them Fermi GPUS as they have a rather large heatspreader.

 

[jesusgotnailed]

Alright guys.... one hour and a pair of bruised fingers later - I cannot unscrew the screws required to get the cover/heatsink off. They are stuck as hell. Is my only option to RMA the card now?

 

[RobCrezz]

You cant unscrew the screws? Are you not using a screw driver with a small enough head?

Anyway, if you cant get it off then yeah RMA.

 

[mr91]

RMA if you're still under warranty.

Hopefully you didn't do anything to void your warranty when trying to remove the fan.

Maybe EVGA will send you back a newer card.

 

[jesusgotnailed]

You cant unscrew the screws? Are you not using a screw driver with a small enough head?

Anyway, if you cant get it off then yeah RMA.

Yeah I am, they're stuck. I am stripping them. My screwdriver head is fine but the screwdriver itself is very small so I can't get a solid, strong grip on it.

I didn't do anything to void the warranty... just can't get the damn screws out.

Edit: Any idea how long the RMA process takes for EVGA, guys? Wildstar just came out so being without a card will bite big time.

 

[mr91]

Below is a link for their warranty conditions, I've never went through the EVGA RMA process, I suggest you call them.
EVGA has excellent customer support...

My guess is the process would take 1 or 2 weeks however it could be faster if they receive the product right away.
I recently Went through the process with another hardware vendor and it took just under 2 weeks however I sent my component via registered snail mail.
If I sent my product via ups it would be much faster.

http://www.evga.com/support/warranty/