Heat with 5830s

[gdrop]

I have 3x 5830s mining away, but since my roommates think the rig is too loud, it's been moved to a small room with terrible ventilation.

The temps on the cards are 90.5C 85.5C 75C with a 900/325 clock.

Is this a big concern?

[Akeeru]

Nah should be fine... Cards are made to operate at those temps and have a built-in security that shuts the card down if it gets in the danger zone. Lower temps are always better though

Think danger zone is above 120-130 C

[Infinity1]

If you want lower temperatures I recommend this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186043

Mount a couple of fans that suck the hot air out quickly.

[pe512]

Nah should be fine... Cards are made to operate at those temps and have a built-in security that shuts the card down if it gets in the danger zone. Lower temps are always better though

Think danger zone is above 120-130 C

I disagree with this advice.

Check this thread for additional opinions:
http://forum.bitcoin.org/index.php?topic=18229.0

My 5830s are running ~60* C (open case with a household fan moving air through the case 24x7.

[Akeeru]

Heard some people fixing their multi-GPU heat problems with cardboard Just some in between the cards to redirect the air flow.
Its obvious by your temps that 2 of the GPUs are pushing their hot air onto the next GPU.

Btw how fast are you fans spinning ?

I am running my 5850 @ 70 C (900/500) - multi-GPU setup.

[Akeeru]

Nah should be fine... Cards are made to operate at those temps and have a built-in security that shuts the card down if it gets in the danger zone. Lower temps are always better though

Think danger zone is above 120-130 C

I disagree with this advice.

Check this thread for additional opinions:
http://forum.bitcoin.org/index.php?topic=18229.0

My 5830s are running ~60* C (open case with a household fan moving air through the case 24x7.

Why do you disagree? Just because others keep them lower? I stated that lower is always better, but the fact of the matter is: It is still safe to run your GPU @ 90 C.
I like to keep mine below 80 C. Your disagreement does not make any sense, since you do not state any reasons. GPUs are made to run hot... Better to keep them cool though.

[pe512]

Why do you disagree? Just because others keep them lower? I stated that lower is always better, but the fact of the matter is: It is still safe to run your GPU @ 90 C.
I like to keep mine below 80 C. Your disagreement does not make any sense, since you do not state any reasons. GPUs are made to run hot... Better to keep them cool though.

Just my personal risk tolerance. I would not personally be comfortable with my cards between 85C and 90C for very long (not for safety reasons, but for GPU life/wear and tear).

Yes, you said lower is always better (and we both agree on that), but I wanted to let the OP know that there are many of us that wouldn't take a "Nah should be fine..." attitude with 90C temps.

[proto]

Every 10 C drop in temps doubles the life of the electronics.

[timberfox]

90 is abit high, and i also have 3x 5830s so here are my two big recommendations

use MSI afterburner to set a user defined fan speed based on temp (basically manually set the automatic speeds)

get a 120mm fan blowing on the cards; if your case doesnt have a spot, use zipties to suspend it there

[bogidu]

I run 4 5830's and keep them below 75 . . . . typically around 72.

[gdrop]

Let's say the room is a pantry about 6 x 8 ft in size. My cards are at a constant 90 80 70 C. The room gets pretty hot.

Is this a fire hazard?

[Akeeru]

Let's say the room is a pantry about 6 x 8 ft in size. My cards are at a constant 90 80 70 C. The room gets pretty hot.

Is this a fire hazard?

No it is not, cards should turn off way before that.

[bigcoiner]

I have 2 GPUs next to one another with no space in between.  One of the cards can go up to 100C.  What kind of cardboard will be safe to put in between?

Heard some people fixing their multi-GPU heat problems with cardboard Just some in between the cards to redirect the air flow.
Its obvious by your temps that 2 of the GPUs are pushing their hot air onto the next GPU.

[godofal]

you could try buying some PCI extenders and placing them differently (mod the case if u need to)
that way they (if done properly) they can dissipate the heat better

[bigcoiner]

Thanks for the suggestion.  Is it possible to use an extender cable and put video cards in external boxes.

you could try buying some PCI extenders and placing them differently (mod the case if u need to)
that way they (if done properly) they can dissipate the heat better

[wolftaur]

Thanks for the suggestion.  Is it possible to use an extender cable and put video cards in external boxes.

That's certainly doable, and you can even run mining GPUs in a 1x PCIe slot -- they make extenders that have part of the connector filed off so a longer card fits.

If you go such a route you can use a separate power supply in the second box, and have the PSUs slaved together. Be warned, though: some of the power comes from the PCIe slot itself, so you'll want the variation of an extension cable that has a Molex socket on it to provide the power, instead of having the power come from the host PCIe slot.

[kwiky]

I just setup a box fan to move the air.

[wacked]

Put something in between the cards to separate them. I put the hard plastic DVI cover that came with the card in between, you could use peanuts that came from NewEgg or any other hard plastic.
Just a few centimeters will help lower the temperature a lot.

I have 2 GPUs next to one another with no space in between.  One of the cards can go up to 100C.  What kind of cardboard will be safe to put in between?

Heard some people fixing their multi-GPU heat problems with cardboard Just some in between the cards to redirect the air flow.
Its obvious by your temps that 2 of the GPUs are pushing their hot air onto the next GPU.

[nimium]

I personally wouldn't be comfortable with any long-term use over 80C.

[ryanwalters]

My xfx 5830 was running around 90c till I bought new thermal paste and applied it. Dropped to 68c at max speed with no ocing.