Dual-Monitor Temperature Problem

[clocand]

So I recently hooked up a second monitor for further desktop space and multitasking purposes. After a couple hours of BF3, I realized my GPU was at 88 degrees Celsius. My cpu temp was fine, it was only at 45. Dual-monitor idle temperature is 49 degrees Celsius.

My first question is at what temperature should I stop running high-resource programs, such as BF3, for both my gpu and cpu?

Second question: Can I run my secondary monitor with my integrated gpu, while using my GeForce GTX 560 ti for my primary monitor? How do I do this? What are the pro's and con's of this?


Equipment:

Dual-Monitor Software: http://www.murgee.com/

CPU: Intel i5 2500k sandybridge with a cooler master hyper 212+ heatsink.

GPU: GeForce GTX 560 ti

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3

Primary monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

Secondary monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824255010

 

[pandemonium]

You're going to see a 5-12°C increase at idle and load when a second monitor is plugged in unless it's running the exact same refresh rate and resolution. If you're really worried about it, disable your secondary display while you're gaming.

I wouldn't get worried on GPU temps until 90, CPU - 60.

I'm not 100% certain to answer your second question, but from my experiences I would have to say no, you can't. Only the primary/active GPU can drive a display. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Out of curiosity, why are you using Murgee as your software? Windows usually works fine and if you don't think that's intuitive enough, nVidia's control panel has it as well.

 

[clocand]

Well my gpu temp increases from 29c to 49c, do I have a problem?

I am using Murgee for the multiple hotkey shortcut it provides for many of the various features that I don't believe are provided by the software you've mentioned, such as locking the cursor to one screen (fundamental).

 

[pandemonium]

That is a rather dramatic increase, but I don't know the specifics to the 560Ti to say you do or don't. I really wouldn't worry about it though. It's natural for all graphics cards to increase their temperatures when running multiple displays with different resolutions/frequencies.

I did not realize Murgee had that capability. If it works for you then by all means keep using it.

Additionally, to further look into the specifics of your card, you may want to see if there are other driver versions that handle multiple display function more effectively. I highly doubt it, but you never know. Sadly though, it's just a fact we all have to live with. Again, I really wouldn't worry about it and just disable your secondary monitor when you're gaming to keep temperatures down (turning the power off isn't the same thing - the graphics card is still providing an output to said display).

 

[clocand]

Yes, if you can imagine it, think of how hard it would be to navigate around maps of RTS's such as SC2 and LoL, without the ability to lock the cursor to a single screen. Not only that, but I can hot-key this, enabling me to minimize, unlock the cursor, and switch to the other screen, with ease.

I shall do that, thank you for your help.

 

[Lonyo]

You won't see an increase in load GPU temperatures due to a second monitor, only idle.
Also, remember that most GPUs are set to minimise noise, up to the temperature threshold set by the manufacturer.
The reason your temperatures go up a lot at idle is because the fan almost certainly doesn't increase in RPM, but GPU and memory clocks increase (both AMD and NV run higher core and memory clocks for dual monitors unless they are exactly the same, IIRC).

88c is a fine temperature. Unless it's running 88c AND your fan is VERY loud because it's running hard, it's not a problem. If you want you can manually set your fan to run faster to reduce the GPU temperature. NV (and AMD, and all card manufacturers) don't intend to have cards break due to insufficient cooling, and the fans are carefully controlled to ensure temps are within limits.

As far as running a second monitor off onboard, I'll see what I can do on my other PC with an HD6450 and integrated (Sandybridge) GPU. I can't remember if Windows 7 plays nice with multiple display adapters from different companies (e.g. NV + Intel, AMD + NV, AMD + Intel) or not.

 

[tweakboy]

49c at idle is perfectly fine. Im assuming the fan speed is spinning at 30 percent on the desktop.

What you might want to do is get Riva Tuner, and manually take your fan speed to 100 percent.

Also having dual mon setup has nothing to do with heat!!!

 

[pandemonium]

You won't see an increase in load GPU temperatures due to a second monitor, only idle.

I'll have to run some tests again when I get home regarding that, but I thought I remember my primary card runs slightly hotter if don't disable my secondary display while I'm gaming. Not much - maybe 2-5°C - but enough where I personally warrant disabling my second display to help prolong the life of my primary graphics card.

Also having dual mon setup has nothing to do with heat!!!

I'd love to know how you obtained this certainty. Though, we're not exactly talking about dual-monitor, as we are talking about extended desktop (dual-monitor = two of the exact same monitors running the same resolution and frequency in desktop spanning mode; extended desktop = different monitors running different resolutions and frequencies).

I'll take some screenshots when I have some free time, though this has been proven several times over in reviews and other forums and threads, such as here.

Even with only the desktop displaying on an extended desktop on 2 monitors, my clocks are at idle speeds (IE not 3D clocks) and temperature is still increased. And this is not due to any given generation of graphics cards or drivers, it affects all graphics cards.