6970 running too hot with default settings

[Soak]

I run my 2*6970 with default settings and the temperature reach 85°C (185°F) with 90% fan speed, sometimes 90°C (194°F) with automatic fan regulation (for upper card). Ambiant temperature is 25°C (77°F) in average. Case is opened and a big fan blow on cards.

Default Settings

• Memory: 1375 MHz
• Core: 880 MHz
• Power: default

What do you advise me to do please? I want to reach 70°C (158°F) maximum. I think it's the best accommodation for my case without losing too much hashrate). What do you think?

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[Ryu.Hayabusa]

Could try replacing the stock thermal paste on the core with something better, and get some better thermal pads for the RAM/VRMs (just be sure to get the right thickness!  Too thin and it will not make contact).

Or the other option is watercooling, though it is a bit expensive.

[bmgjet]

Get another fan (such as a desktop fan) and take the side off your case and blow the air onto the card.
Undervolt the card. If your not overclocked you should be able to go down 50-100mv before stablity problems arise.

[Soak]

Could try replacing the stock thermal paste on the core with something better, and get some better thermal pads for the RAM/VRMs (just be sure to get the right thickness!  Too thin and it will not make contact).

Or the other option is watercooling, though it is a bit expensive.

I prefer to speak on software tweaks (with Control Catalyst Center or Trixx), because I don't want to touch on the hardware sorry.

Get another fan (such as a desktop fan) and take the side off your case and blow the air onto the card.
Undervolt the card. If your not overclocked you should be able to go down 50-100mv before stablity problems arise.

When I do that (-50% power), I down to 200 from 390 Mhashes, not overclocked. There isn't another solution ? Down the memory to 300 I see on the forums, what happened to hashrate)?

[tysat]

Turn the memory way down, 300-400 range, that should help with heat a lot.

[Soak]

Turn the memory way down, 300-400 range, that should help with heat a lot.

Can you say what happened to your hashrate when you down turn the memory down to 300-400 please?

[bmgjet]

Dont use the powertune since that isnt just lowering the voltage it lowers the clock as well.
Use something like trixx or afterburner and lower the voltage there.

Lower the memory speed increases hashs most the time.
Lowers temp
And lowers poweruseage.

[Soak]

Lower the memory speed increases hashs most the time.
Lowers temp
And lowers poweruseage.

Oh nice, thank you I will try.

[Ryu.Hayabusa]

I always forget not everyone is into hardware as I am, no worries.

You can try lowering the core voltage as well, just do it in small steps and wait ~15min or so between each step to ensure you are still stable (while running a game or mining).  If your GPU crashes or freezes, increase by 1-2 steps from where the crash/freeze occurred.

[dlight]

Did you try adding a switch to the miner to let the GPU 'rest'? Try '-s 0.01' and adjust the number till it meets your preferred temp.

It will lower your mhash/s, though.

[TTB]

I think watercooling is the best idea, though the most expensive.
As a bonur you will have much less noise
And temps will be ok even with OC.

[Soak]

Did you try adding a switch to the miner to let the GPU 'rest'? Try '-s 0.01' and adjust the number till it meets your preferred temp.

It will lower your mhash/s, though.

I will try too, thank you.

[MiningBuddy]

What make is your 6970? I've had no end of trouble with XFX and their shoddy thermal paste application, seriously I think they give their cards to kindergarten kids in an art class to apply the thermal paste it's that bad!

You said previously that you don't want to touch hardware, but I think in this case you're going to have to. It's really easy to remove the heatsink and replace the thermal paste with something like Artic Silver 5. (just a few screws on the back of the card to take the heatsink & fan shroud off)

[Soak]

What make is your 6970? I've had no end of trouble with XFX and their shoddy thermal paste application, seriously I think they give their cards to kindergarten kids in an art class to apply the thermal paste it's that bad!

It's Sapphire.

You said previously that you don't want to touch hardware, but I think in this case you're going to have to. It's really easy to remove the heatsink and replace the thermal paste with something like Artic Silver 5. (just a few screws on the back of the card to take the heatsink & fan shroud off)

Hum, I will thinking abouit that so.

[chut]

How is the card positioned in the case? Does it have plenty of airflow? Def lower the memory if you can, like others have suggested. If your blowing a fan on them, make sure you have an open window or at least plenty of airflow around the box. I was having similar problems when my box was in a corner, fan blowing at wall. Good luck 

[Soak]

How is the card positioned in the case? Does it have plenty of airflow?

[neo1999]

I have two 5870s, one XFX and one Sapphire. Both manufacturers did a terrible job applying the thermal paste. Reapplying it dropped temps by 10c on the XFX and 11-12 on the Sapphire. I didn't note the temps on my 5830s or my 5770, but there were improvements in every case.

A couple of tips:

1.) Often the heatsinks sit slightly off kilter, so you might need to use more paste than you would for a CPU.

2.) Again because of how the heatsinks sit, you might get air bubbles if you try applying a thin, even coat. I've had more success putting a large drop in the middle of the GPU and letting the pressure of the heatsink spread it out.

3.) If you use Arctic silver or any other conductive/capacitative paste, be careful not to get it on the electrical components as some people have killed their cards that way.

[Cidsor]

How is the card positioned in the case? Does it have plenty of airflow?

http://i.min.us/jbV2fQ.jpg

If you are talking about the upper card in this configuration (2x 6970) then these temperatures are fine. I currently have 2x 6950's in a drawer (yes, a drawer) with 4 fans venting. I have an OC to 900MHz on the core and 650MHz on the mem. with 1.14V. I get roughly 82-85C on the upper card and 72-75C on the lower card. You could try a switch between the cards, some run a bit cooler, and a bit cooler might mean 5-10C if you switch them.

[Rudementry]

You should definitely be able to achieve much lower temps with lowering the memory. My stock MSI 6970 running at 975Mhz Shaders and 1375Mhz Memory sits at around 72 C in my room with an ambient temperature of about 73 F. When I turn the memory to 401 (it starts flipping out at 400), my temps are around 65-66 C. This is with my computer doing normal computer type stuff too, like posting this message. Also, I leave the fans on 60% when mining. The card is in my Haf 922 desktop.



https://i.imgur.com/Di31M.jpg

[Soak]

You should definitely be able to achieve much lower temps with lowering the memory. My stock MSI 6970 running at 975Mhz Shaders and 1375Mhz Memory sits at around 72 C in my room with an ambient temperature of about 73 F. When I turn the memory to 401 (it starts flipping out at 400), my temps are around 65-66 C. This is with my computer doing normal computer type stuff too, like posting this message. Also, I leave the fans on 60% when mining. The card is in my Haf 922 desktop.

It's a bit better, thank you