[RESOLVED] BFG 8800GTS 512

[Falcon Speed]

My video card is idling at 55 to 60 C. I think that is normal. I am using RealTemp to read it.

Anyway, I don't think I need it but still curious. I have never installed a fan/heatsink on a Graphi Card before. I was just wondering if I buy this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835185081

Do I use Artic Silver or IC Diamond as the thermal paste or do I use any thermal paste at all?

Also, a side question and I know SuperSpark can probably answer this one since he recommended RealTemp. Beside being able to read temp for CPU, GPU, overall system, what else can be read? Memory?

Thanks

[Steve R Jones]

From the link You posted, here are just a few of the tons of feedback:

Pros: Shaved off 5C by using Artic silver 5 along with this cooler.


Pros: Does the job. Replaced my old Evga 8800GT Broken Fan&heatsink with this fan&heatsink. Keeps the graphics card much cooler then it did before.

Cons: -Very Large, takes up another PCI slot and extends back about an inch from my card.
-Mini heat sinks adhesive does not stick very well to the chips

Pros: Easy to install, comes with plenty of extra RAMsinks and the like. I replaced the sticky tape with thermal epoxy, and temps are down almost 35C from the stock HSF. Fans are silent even at full speed.

Cons: First off the little heatsinks are great but they do NOT stick even with some artic adhesive. The cooler sits (on a 8600gs) about 3-4 inches from the front edge of the gpu so it sticks out 5-6 inches and unless you have a large case it won't fit without some DIY modding/adjustments. The instructions were junk, mostly in other languages other than English. I plugged everything in and my CPU wouldn't even boot just a loud beep so I turned it off and took everything off and out of frustration threw away everything.

[SuperSparks]

The fan that is fitted to the graphics card is perfectly adequate for most people. You would only really need a cooler like that if you were seriously overclocking the graphics card. 55 to 60 is absolutely fine, GPUs always run very hot in comparison to CPUs.

AFAIK, there are no sensors fitted to RAM modules, so nothing can read the temps. If you really want to know what the modules are running at, you will need to point an IR thermometer at them, if you have one. Again, it really shouldn't be an issue unless you are doing serious overclocking.

[Shinma]

That Scythe vga cooler includes a small package of thermal compound.
You can use alternatives if you wish.

[Falcon Speed]

Thanks Steve.

55 to 60 is absolutely fine, GPUs always run very hot in comparison to CPUs.

Learn something new every day.

AFAIK, there are no sensors fitted to RAM modules, so nothing can read the temps. If you really want to know what the modules are running at, you will need to point an IR thermometer at them, if you have one. Again, it really shouldn't be an issue unless you are doing serious overclocking.

So, I really need to monitor the CPU and GPU as provided in RealTemp.

That Scythe vga cooler includes a small package of thermal compound.
You can use alternatives if you wish.

Although Steve answered this, thanks for the confirmation Shinma. Yes, I was confused whether to be able to use Artic Silver and I don't trust everything that the users on NewEgg posted. Always have to confirm it here.

[SuperSparks]

So, I really need to monitor the CPU and GPU as provided in RealTemp.

Once you are satisfied that everything is running within acceptable limits, there is no need for continuous monitoring. When I built mine I regularly monitored everything for a month or so, but I've rarely bothered since.