Mobo monitor

[Rob Oplawar]

Hey guys, I'm concerned about the temperature of various components on my motherboard, so I was wondering where's the best place to get software that will let me monitor temperatures, fan speeds, etc, from within my os, not the bios.

I have an EVGA 680i motherboard, and I'm running windows XP.

I would really like to avoid losing another graphics card. This one is just too nice for me to let it melt.

[Syuusuke]

Google Speedfan, it's most likely the first link...

...but I don't think it'll read your graphics card's temperature, I don't remember.

[ExAm]

Either the nvidia utility or ATI Catalyst will monitor your card's temperature, depending on your card.

[Rob Oplawar]

Ah, tyvm guys. So now speedfan is reporting to me that under load my CPU temperature is 54 degrees C, but each of the cores goes between 30 and 40 C, and idle the CPU is 45 C, and the cores are 30 C. Which should I go by, the core temps or the overall CPU temp? It seems like the CPU temp may be biased, but I don't want to bet my processor on it.

*checks graphics card*
Oof, it's idling at 74 C. Any suggestions for improving the cooling on the card? That probably explains the problems I've been getting when playing Crysis- it's probably making the thing overheat.

[Tweek]

set fan to full blow?

works awesomely in my laptop.
temp drops almost instantly, at the cost of having a jet-engine screaming in your face.

[Rob Oplawar]

Yeah, I set my GPU fan to 100%, and gave it about half an hour to cool down- it's at 60 C now, which is better, but not ideal, and yeah, my computer now sounds like a jet engine. But it's not like the card is completely idle right now- I have 3ds Max and Sapien open on a 3520x1200 desktop.

But no really, it's not too loud, at least, not too much louder than the fan that's already on my cpu (my replacement heatsink still hasn't arrived). I think I can manage, but once I get it in SLI I'm definitely going to have to look into better cooling solutions. My case is designed to take a 24cm side fan, but it would be positioned above the cpu, not the graphics cards. Do you think it would help?

I'm going to go into Crysis now and see what that does to my temps.

edit: actually, scratch that. I finished compiling the latest build of my map, and it appears I have finally trained the marines to use the stairs! It is marvelous! Time to get back to work on the demo- almost done!

[Rob Oplawar]

Bump: just fyi, with the gpu fan at 100%, when running Crysis with about half medium and half high settings, the gpu runs at 82 C and the cpu runs at 35 C. Damn man, that 8800 is hot!

[Con]

Mine stays around 60 most of the time :X (cpu that is)

[Xetsuei]

Ah, tyvm guys. So now speedfan is reporting to me that under load my CPU temperature is 54 degrees C, but each of the cores goes between 30 and 40 C, and idle the CPU is 45 C, and the cores are 30 C. Which should I go by, the core temps or the overall CPU temp? It seems like the CPU temp may be biased, but I don't want to bet my processor on it.

*checks graphics card*
Oof, it's idling at 74 C. Any suggestions for improving the cooling on the card? That probably explains the problems I've been getting when playing Crysis- it's probably making the thing overheat.

The core temps are the north bridge and south bridge chipsets, not the CPU.

[ExAm]

Bump: just fyi, with the gpu fan at 100%, when running Crysis with about half medium and half high settings, the gpu runs at 82 C and the cpu runs at 35 C. Damn man, that 8800 is hot!8800GT or other? If it's a GT, then that's probably unusual.

[Xetsuei]

8800GT or other? If it's a GT, then that's probably unusual.

Ftfy.

[KIWIDOGGIE]

Watercooling!, Or just make sure you have a big case and wires are not blocking any airflow. Then make a fan from the back or front suck in air and the other blow out. (My front sucks and the back blows) That helped with the overheating...(8 HDD's 2DVD 8800GTs, 8800GTX)

[paladin]

Thats fucking hot! My GPU or CPU never get above 55c, ever.

[Rob Oplawar]

Yeah I've got a good wind-tunnel going with my case, but unfortunately videocards being as they are, I can't really get windflow over and around it the way it should be, only past it.

I'm thinking that the fact that the card is rendering 4+ megapixels at 60+ hz is enough of an excuse for it to run a bit hot, and it seems to be well within limits, even with Crysis pushing it to its limit.

As for my CPU being hot, this was the first I installed myself and I'm not too confident in my application of the heatsink, not to mention the fact that I'm still using the shitty heatsink that came with it.

atm I'm content to just keep my temperature monitors open with alerts at the ready, so I can just keep an eye on things. They're a little hot, but well within limits.

[Syuusuke]

You're sure that there aren't too many wires in the way inside right?

[Rob Oplawar]

Yeah dude I've got a friggin huge full tower case and my cables are all tied off to the side. Airflow isn't a problem. =/

[dg]

The 8800GT's normally run that warm, Rob. Many people on Newegg were also remarking about the temperatures, but here's what HardOCP said about the heat when they tested it:


"...we have not delved into heat generation, power utilization and overclocking heavily with this reference video card yet. When we get retail video cards we will look at these criteria in more depth. As a brief overview of what we experienced we found an idle GPU temperature of 61c and a full load GPU temperature of 91c. That full load temperature is very hot for a video card, and keep in mind we are testing in an open-case environment. Though it reached 91c the fan did not get loud at all.

For comparison a GeForce 8800 GTS 640 MB has a full load temp of 78c and the 8800 GTX has a full load temp of 85c. The heatsink shroud was very hot to the touch during gaming, so hot you couldn’t keep your finger on it or else you would get burned. We will have to do more testing with retail cards, but if these temps are consistent then that is one hot video card you need to make sure is cooled well."

So, if you say that your case is well vented, I doubt you are going to have too much of a problem with the card. As for the CPU, you would be surprised on how much heat those things can take. I recommend that on some rainy day, you take off the heat sink, clean off the die, and reapply some thermal grease very carefully. A playing card should give you a light, even spread on the surface of the processor. In any case, I hope all goes well for you!

[Rob Oplawar]

... That was one of the most civil, well-phrased and helpful posts I have ever read on this forum. Thanks =)

[Bad Waffle]

Yeah I've got a good wind-tunnel going with my case, but unfortunately videocards being as they are, I can't really get windflow over and around it the way it should be, only past it.

I'm thinking that the fact that the card is rendering 4+ megapixels at 60+ hz is enough of an excuse for it to run a bit hot, and it seems to be well within limits, even with Crysis pushing it to its limit.

As for my CPU being hot, this was the first I installed myself and I'm not too confident in my application of the heatsink, not to mention the fact that I'm still using the shitty heatsink that came with it.

atm I'm content to just keep my temperature monitors open with alerts at the ready, so I can just keep an eye on things. They're a little hot, but well within limits.

Maybe your solution just lies in getting another card and SLI'ing it so that it doesnt reach such a high temp. You'd have more heat volume, but less specific heat. And your case is LOLHUEG, so it could work.

[DaneO'Roo]

Holy shit, my GPU is, and most likely has been, running at about 110 degrees Celcius everytime I play a game o__________O

It's about 90 just at the desktop

[Rob Oplawar]

See WoL, you'd think that would work, but I just know that as soon as I add another card in SLI I'm gonna crank up the graphics on Crysis and then I'll have two cards that are even hotter.

But everything else will run cooler.

And @Dano: All I can say is, thank God for Colorado and 0 degree C temperatures outside right now. I think my computer would melt if I lived in Australia. Another addition to the sadly growing list of reasons that I can't move there. =(

[Good_Apollo]

Yes I'm bringing this from the grave but it's the same thing. So Speedfan, yeah is my shit fucked up or is it just because it's like 79 F here at night and 85% humidity?

GPU 95 C
HD 0 39 C
HD 1 33 C
Core O 54 C
Core 1 53 C


System specs are in profile...this is all idle too.

[Rob Oplawar]

Whoa, old thread is old.
Yeah, I'm not sure what the deal is. Sometimes I suspect that Speedfan is just reporting totally wrong numbers.

[InnerGoat]

Don't use speedfan unless it's for an older system, or you really want to slow down your fans :-3

http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php

[Amit]

My video card doesn't show up on both speedfan and CPUid

[Good_Apollo]

Hmm well I can't figure out what the problem is, I can't even run CS:S without my computer shutting down after like 20 minutes of playing. I opened the case and all fans are running and I airblasted everything...

It it possible that it's just the hot weather? Something I doubt because I used to play no matter the outside temp and it was usually fine...

[Rob Oplawar]

What changed before your computer started getting really hot? Did you install a new graphics card that just runs hot? Are you just now becoming aware of preexisting temperature issues? Or has your older-than-a-year gpu just suddenly decided to start overheating? If it's the latter, your graphics card may have one foot in its grave. They do that.

[Good_Apollo]

Me having no answers other than the latter leads me to suggest it's the latter. I really have no idea. It's pissing me off though because atm I'm to afraid to use my desktop lest it melt. It does only have 1 fan, ya think installing 2-3 more fans will help?

[EDIT] Nope, I lied, my case has 2 fans, still add more?

I've only had this rig for like maybe 6-7 months so far, never had ANY problems until now and it seems to coincide with the fact that it's disgustingly hot outside (and in my house) but somehow I think that could be just coincidence, I just don't know enough about computers to figure it out.

[Rook]

Me having no answers other than the latter leads me to suggest it's the latter. I really have no idea. It's pissing me off though because atm I'm to afraid to use my desktop lest it melt. It does only have 1 fan, ya think installing 2-3 more fans will help?

[EDIT] Nope, I lied, my case has 2 fans, still add more?

I've only had this rig for like maybe 6-7 months so far, never had ANY problems until now and it seems to coincide with the fact that it's disgustingly hot outside (and in my house) but somehow I think that could be just coincidence, I just don't know enough about computers to figure it out.

Have you checked your temps via HWMonitor yet?

[Good_Apollo]

I just opened up my case and turned it on. I realized the fan on my 8800GT isn't even running? Is that the problem and how do I even fix it?

Doesn't explain the CPU temps or anything but are they just heating up because my GPU is getting so fucking hot? I couldn't even touch it when I saw the fan was not on because it was burning hot, obviously at like 85-90C.

[Rob Oplawar]

Er, yeah, your gpu fan should be running. Make sure you don't have any loose connections.

[Good_Apollo]

Loose connections? Got a visual aid because I don't know shit about what I'm doing... At least as far as fixing things physically, software issues I can handle but hardware? I put the thing together that's about what I know.

[Rob Oplawar]

I can't find a picture... Just make sure the graphics card is firmly inserted into its slot on the motherboard so that it doesn't jiggle, and that the power connector on the graphics card (if there is one) has a cable plugged into it such that the snap thing is snapped in place.

There may be a small two-pin connector somewhere on the fan to power it- the other fans in your case will probably have this sort of connector, with relatively thin wires coming out of them. If you see that sort of connector on the graphics card near the fan, make sure it has one of those thin wires running to it (it probably won't, though).

[Good_Apollo]

Shit quality but its the best I can do, I removed the card and put it in 3 times and pushed hard no change, fan does nothing.

http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/2939/56001489.jpg
http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/1691/photocf.jpg
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/3018/18883559.jpg

[Rob Oplawar]

Well, could be any number of irritatingly small things, but the only thing you can do about it that I can think of (other than break out a voltage meter, soldering iron, and set of replacement graphics card/motherboard components) is to replace your graphics card. :/
Or, you could do nothing and wait until your GPU finally melts, and then replace the graphics card. Actually, I do believe they have hardware cutoff switches to prevent tha from happening, so you would have to wait until you can't stand the frequent crashes anymore, and then replace an otherwise mostly good graphics card.

E:
Or, it could conceivably be a software/firmware issue. Do a google search for your graphics card and motherboard and fan controller stuff, and see if there's some setting somewhere that you might tweak to convince it to turn the fan on.

[Good_Apollo]

Just what I didn't want to hear. I mean this card is relatively new and does fucking everything I need it to and it's just the fan that won't turn on. I can get a 9800GT for like $130 but...ugh. Lame, I'll search around more and post an update.

[Cojafoji]

Does the fan have an actual power chord that can be attached/removed? You may have to remove the plating to see it.

If someone said that already, sorry.

[Good_Apollo]

Worked since I built the rig in December '08 and it never had any overheating problems until about 2-3 weeks ago so no, I don't believe the fan needs any power cable. It always ran before. The only changes to my rig I've made since I built it was add a hardrive last week.

[Rook]

I guess it's possible the fan just stopped working but mess around with it more. A long time ago on my ati x1300 the fan blew up taking the card with it.

[StankBacon]

my old video card fan took a shit as well, they make them so shitty.

if you can afford it, get a third party card cooler/heatsink.

[=sw=warlord]

Are you able to rotate the spindle move pushing the blades along with your hand when its powered down?
Try doing that it maybe dust got into the sleeve and because of that the fan wont turn due to the motors not needing all that much torque.
I had that issue once with a old 7800GT' spun the blades when it was powered down turned the pc back on and the fan worked.

[Good_Apollo]

It's just plain not fucking working. Thought about getting a heatsink but I figure that'd be a waste, better to just get a new card, new warranty, new life whatever. Keep the 8800GT for a rainy day and just pick up this guy (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339) for cheaps... :/

Only thing is the card looks way too wide to fit into the slot, especially the back but it says it's PCI Express?

[=sw=warlord]

Well i wouldnt reccomend trying to take the heatsink off.
I tried taking the heatsink off my 8800gts few weeks back and even after removing all the screws the thing was still attached as though it was welded onto the board.
If the fan really dosnt work you know you can get external fans?
Or for that matter get those fans that fit in the slots that are usualy used for exhausing the hot air out.
Well with a little bit of tweaking you can reverse the fan making it blow in if you fit one under your card facing upwars towards the video cards fan it should help with the cooling issues.

[Rook]

Only thing is the card looks way too wide to fit into the slot, especially the back but it says it's PCI Express?

Notice the part that goes into the slot itself is normal size, the card is just chunky.

[Good_Apollo]

Notice the part that goes into the slot itself is normal size, the card is just chunky.No I mean the backend of the card. Idk, look at the pictures of my case.

Also, I'm getting mixed reviews some say the thing runs any game maxed out, others are saying medium settings and some are saying its worse than the 8800GT?

[Cojafoji]

Worked since I built the rig in December '08 and it never had any overheating problems until about 2-3 weeks ago so no, I don't believe the fan needs any power cable. It always ran before. The only changes to my rig I've made since I built it was add a hardrive last week.
not what i asked. i said on the card. as in physically on it. on most card there is a teeny little power chord from the fan, that attaches to the card. it is no longer than 6 inches at most.

[Rook]

No I mean the backend of the card. Idk, look at the pictures of my case.

Also, I'm getting mixed reviews some say the thing runs any game maxed out, others are saying medium settings and some are saying its worse than the 8800GT?

9800 will perform better than 8880 no questions asked, and if you have a PCI-E slot it'll fit.