6600GT's in SLI---->Higher temps??

[kjhayes007]

I recently thew a second 6600GT PCI-E card in my system, SLI, and have noticed that both cards run significantly hotter than then when I had a single 6600GT. I could run DOOM3 maxed out for hours, and the temp might get to 65C. Now, just powering up my system in SLI, the cards run at 65 and 71C at idle. Playing any game puts temps significantly higher.

A few days ago, I was flying Lock On, Modern Air Combat (LoMAC), paused it, went away for about 10 minutes, and upon return my computer had shut down. Obviously an overheat. I have five case fans kicking the heat out, so that isn't the issue.

It's impotant to note that I don't touch over-clocking, and I tried a couple of driver versions; at first the 77.77, then earlier versions but the problem persisted. Anyone encounter this problem? Any solutions?

Thanks,

KJ

 

[Lonyo]

More power consumed overall -> more heat.
Less airflow around the cards -> more heat....

 

[Bona Fide]

If you have the money, get VF-700 fans for both of them. That should help you out a lot.

 

[kjhayes007]

More power consumed overall -> more heat.
Less airflow around the cards -> more heat....

I think you are mssing the point; maybe you're a little too quick to make a witty reply...

I said that simply starting my computer has both cards running at +65C, WITH adequate airflow (FIVE fans). Hell, I even had the case opened up. As far as 'more power' is concerned, each card isn't getting more power. More power is collectively used, but not by a single card.

I don't need to know power=heat
I don't need to know less air=heat

I am more concerned to know if others have had this occur, and what they specifically did or found to resolve it. I could see OC'ing being a problem, but a standard SLI setup overheating at startup without even being challenged?

If you're going to take the time to reply, have something to say.

Thanks Lonyo

 

[monster64]

Actually that would be bad, very very very very bad. The zalman simply doesn't work in SLi.
http://www.insanetek.com/index.php?page=zalmanvf700alcu

 

[Eureka]

Originally posted by: kjhayes007

More power consumed overall -> more heat.
Less airflow around the cards -> more heat....

I think you are mssing the point; maybe you're a little too quick to make a witty reply...

I said that simply starting my computer has both cards running at +65C, WITH adequate airflow (FIVE fans). Hell, I even had the case opened up. As far as 'more power' is concerned, each card isn't getting more power. More power is collectively used, but not by a single card.

I don't need to know power=heat
I don't need to know less air=heat

I am more concerned to know if others have had this occur, and what they specifically did or found to resolve it. I could see OC'ing being a problem, but a standard SLI setup overheating at startup without even being challenged?

If you're going to take the time to reply, have something to say.

Thanks Lonyo

What I think he's saying is that having two cards would block more air than just one card... still... that shouldn't be that much of a problem.

Maybe it's just a flaw with SLI... did you google for similar problems?

Norm

 

[feelingshorter]

Originally posted by: cevilgenius

Originally posted by: kjhayes007

More power consumed overall -> more heat.
Less airflow around the cards -> more heat....

I think you are mssing the point; maybe you're a little too quick to make a witty reply...

I said that simply starting my computer has both cards running at +65C, WITH adequate airflow (FIVE fans). Hell, I even had the case opened up. As far as 'more power' is concerned, each card isn't getting more power. More power is collectively used, but not by a single card.

I don't need to know power=heat
I don't need to know less air=heat

I am more concerned to know if others have had this occur, and what they specifically did or found to resolve it. I could see OC'ing being a problem, but a standard SLI setup overheating at startup without even being challenged?

If you're going to take the time to reply, have something to say.

Thanks Lonyo

What I think he's saying is that having two cards would block more air than just one card... still... that shouldn't be that much of a problem.

Maybe it's just a flaw with SLI... did you google for similar problems?

Norm

it could be a flaw with sli or maby the temperature readings in sli...

 

[Crescent13]

OUCH!!! I thought my 6600GT idleing at 56C was high!! that's why I bought the zalman vf700CU. Installed it yesterday and i'm at 45C idle, and 59C max load WHILE overclocked to 590/1200, NO ARTIFACTS!!! WOOHOO!! Buy a couple of the zalmans, and it will make a BIG difference. I didn't have adequate airflow, a MATX case with less than an inch between the graphic card and the sound card. What are you reading with? You should read with Riva Tuner for more accuracy (or so i've heard).

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Yes, RivaTuner is supposed to be more accurate than the nVidia utility. Oh, and my 6600GT sucks even more than yours. ~60C idle, ~88C load -_-;

 

[kjhayes007]

Thanks for the replies,

I've been using the nVidia probe utility and the NV monitor. I'll definetly check out the Riva Tuner, and see how it compares. At anyrate, it must be hot because, remember, my PC at one point shut itself down. I only have three cards installed to the mobo, the 6600Gt's and a SB Audigy; two fans blow directly at the cards from the front of my case, one blows in from the side, an exhaust fan at the top of the case, and a One tweezy exhaust fan on the rear. (not to mention the Enermax power supply, which also expells heat...) It's a mystery to me how things are so hot...

Oh, and my 6600GT sucks even more than yours. ~60C idle, ~88C load -_-

WOW! That would bug the heck oughtta me....

 

[Mountaindew Man]

Originally posted by: kjhayes007

I am more concerned to know if others have had this occur, and what they specifically did or found to resolve it. I could see OC'ing being a problem, but a standard SLI setup overheating at startup without even being challenged?

I recently added another 6600gt (got a deal on a refurbished one) to my computer and haven't had any termperature issues. I just checked and GPU temps are 42 and 49 C. They are overclocked just a bit, but I don't remember the settings right now.

Are your other temps high too? My CPU temp is idling at 30 C and the MB at 34 C.

 

[xeodragon]

my bfg 6600gt oc idles at 50C, so im not sure if thats bad lol.

 

[kjhayes007]

I recently added another 6600gt (got a deal on a refurbished one) to my computer and haven't had any termperature issues. I just checked and GPU temps are 42 and 49 C. They are overclocked just a bit, but I don't remember the settings right now.

Are your other temps high too? My CPU temp is idling at 30 C and the MB at 34 C

my bfg 6600gt oc idles at 50C, so im not sure if thats bad lol

Hmm,

Well, my mobo was warmer, but that's because the chipset fan was failing. Matter of factly, I'm waiting on a replacement right now. Before it failed, I was getting about 47 C. Otherwise my CPU idles at about 35 C.

I'm guessing the next step is to replace the fans on the GT's, but I'd at least like to know why. I'm thinking about a pair of slot fans too, but doing that would take up the rest of my pci slots....

Thanks for sharing those numbers with me Gentlemen.


KJ

 

[Cerb]

Two cards means twice the power to go out of the case.

How many fans you have does not change that. How many fans you have also has little to no bearing on actual cooling capability. The Compucase LX-6A19 (Antec SLK3700-xxx and Sonata, as well), Evercase E4252, and Antec P180 are good examples. A couple fans can cool very hot systems, if there is reasonably unobstructed flow (things that need to be cooled don't count as obstructions ).

Two 6600GTs can be over 90w. That extra 47w has to go somewhere. If the card doesn't have a nV Silencer on it, the hot air goes into the other card, and then the CPU and PSU (thus, they will both have higher temperaures, because they are using each other's exhaust air as 'cool' instake air!). Bigger coolers will help a bit with temps, but unless they are regualrly in the 90s (use Rivatuner for a nice graph), you aught to be fine, unless you're overclocking.

If it does get up that high, then I guess look into better coolers. You can't change the fact that the case has to cool the extra heat, but a nice big block of copper/aluminum should be able to lower the temperature at the chip itself.

Also, do a good checking of your fan configuration. Many cases have fans in problematic positions (like butting an exhaust fan mount right at the bottom of the PSU--nothing but trouble, but tons of cases still do it!). Brute CFM is only useful if the design is already a good one.

You may also be able to cablegami your way to better air flow. A cable mess between the intakes and video card can make a big difference. In my case, clearing it allowed me to run a 5900XT passively. Do not underestimate the power of a few hours and some zip-ties .

 

[kjhayes007]

Cerb,

I appreciate the reply. I have gone to great pains to ensure a clean interior, I have just about every cable routed away from and around my mobo, not obstructing any fans. (Looks real clean, no ribbons) When i get it back together, i'll post some pics for you guys to analyze for potental problems if you so desire. As far as my fan set up, all of them are clear and unobstucted, three blowing in, two blowing out. The 120 at the back, and the 80 at the top blow out. I experimented a little by changing the directions on a couple of them, mixed things up, but this was the best set up. I fully understand a second GPU means a second heat source. That's common sense. What I don't get is why the two cards are running as hot as they are, to the point where my comp would shut down under normal everday use. No amount of downplay talk is going to convince me this is normal. It shouldn't be that hot. My system isn't special, it's not any different from anyone else's A8N-SLi and 6600GT combos running SLI, so why the differences in temps?

And judging by some of the pics I've seen posted by others, my cable routing looks fantastic in comparison....

KJ

 

[Cerb]

Try taking the side panel off, and have a fan propped up blowing into the cards from the side (there will be enough new air moving about to negate any problems of recirculating hot air between the cards). If it gets too hot then, then something, somewhere, is dreadfully wrong (as in, use Rivatuner's monitoring while you play--it should be close to the temps you got with a single card when doing this). Use a normal case fan of some kind...of course a box fan or something will cool it, but won't offer a solution .

 

[Kid8]

I am running 2 chaintech 6600gts in sli and they run @ 45-47c idle and 55-58c after hours of gaming. stock setting also though so that might be why

 

[kjhayes007]

Well...

Maybe PEG Link Mode has a little to do with it.... I have had my system on auto all this time, but apparently that can still result in overclocking of your video cards, alot of overclocking in some cases: PEG Link Mode Tests

KJ