85c too hot for a 5870 running outside in 91F/33c ambient temp?

[evanesce]

just put my rig outside, the AC energy to offset the heat was getting to me, indoors it ran close to 80c, outside 85c, am i in any overheating failure danger?

[Gabi]

Well it's a bit too hot...

[Khanduras]

A 5870 should be right about there at max load.  It has a maximum temperature rating of around 100c, but I wouldn't ever let it get past 90.  Might want to invest in some added cooling, it'd likely help increase your hash rate a bit and ensure the longevity of your card.

[evanesce]

what can fail on a video card from excessive heat?  is it the BGA underneath the core that warps like on older xbox 360's?

[Khanduras]

It isn't anything specific, really.  Any number of components could either fry themselves out, melt or quite literally catch fire if they're constantly beyond the temperature they're rated to handle.  You're not in danger of that happening, though.  Not at your temps.  It'd have to be a lot higher for major damage to occur.