Gpu Temperature problems

My specs are

Dell XPS 420: Windows vista
Nvidia Gforce 8800 gt
4 gb ram
intel core 2 duo 3.0Ghz E6850

I downloaded riva tuner to see my gpu temperature and for some reason it's average is 77-82 C. when the fan setting is on 20%. When I hike it up to around 50-65 % speed the temperature only goes down to around 60 C. This is all when I'm just doing normal things such as on the web or even when nothing on my computer is open.
Is my gpu temperature bad? If so can you help me fix it.

 

What are your temps if you crank the fan up to 100% with RivaTuner?

For some reason, it seems like ATI and Nvidia are skimping in the cooling department lately! Post what yout temps are at 100%. You might just need to reaply some thermal paste, or you might need aftermarket cooling.

Just a reference for you: One of my 8800GT's is at 40C with a pretty healthy overclock and ambient temperature is 21C.

 

Ok this is shocking.... at 100% it goes to 60% flat. Ok I put it to 50% and it stays at 69%...

 

Can you post a screenshot of how you have the fan settings setup in RivaTuner?

 

Here is the setup.

 

So it won't go to 100% if you slide it over? Try clicking on the Load fan settings box when Windows starts.

 

Noo.. I can go to 100% but the temperature only drops to 60c. Right now my gpu fan speed is at 50% and the temperature of it is 66-68 degrees C.

 

In addition to Fred's suggestion to checking the thermal paste, look for obvious causes of your problem like dust in the cooler and fan. I have two 8800 GT in this system, and they run between 40C and 50C when gaming. Without aftermarket cooling, and without replacing thermal paste.

Gut reaction? Something's wrong with your card.

 

Could be. Umm can you tell me how to safely deal with the inside of my computer. I'm only 15 and I don't know what precautions to take before touching anything. I have seen my brother dealing with stuff like this though.

 

Well, if the computer is under warranty, take it back and have them check it out.

If not, some simple guidelines. Don't work on it on a carpeted floor. Static electricity is your enemy! But you should be able to take the side panel off the case and visually inspect without touching anything.

Do you hear different fan noises from the card at 100% vs 50%?

As Mimsy mentioned, dust and dirt can block the airflow.

 

Don't be in a hurry or bad mood when working on a computer ether

And leave the soda/coffee/whatever your drinking far away, if you're a klutz like me anyway. Spilling a drink into an open case is a painful, painful thing to do. :cry

If you are going to open it anyway, try get hold of a can of compressed air and blow away any dust bunnies you can see, especially around the processor, power supply, and graphics card cooler. Make sure the computer is off and unplugged first, of course.

 

I opened it and vacummed some of it out, not much change in temperature though. is 67c. bad for a 8800gt since I heard they are supposed to have high temperatures.

 

I wouldn't say it's bad, but it's not ideal either. How much does the temperature go up under heavy workloads, like a game?

 

pretty high. 80-95 c. depending on the game.

 

That is bad! :eek

You definitely want to get that card checked out.

 

I guess I migh have to open the card and see what is wrong. Also what do people mean by a computer being underload?

 

95C! Yikes! Mine run in the 60C's doing GPU Folding at 100%!

Never gamed on them, but that seems way to hot! Is the GPU card's cooling fan spinning?

 

Might as well use the card up and get a new one since its faulty. I don't have a warranty I don't think so I guess let it die.

 

Why not fix it? The 8800's are an excellent card for the money. Heck if I had not just ordered a used one I would offer to buy yours if heat is the only issue with it!:-D

 

Sorry =d. I'm just upset because it is a high temp. I can't do anything about it because I bought the computer from dell and well ya.

 

Well, if the warranty is gone, why not try to fix it? First off, is the video card's fan spinning? Second off, do you hear a change in the noise of the video card's fan when you change it in RivaTuner? And just 3 tonight, have you removed the card and checked to see if dust and crud are blocking the cooling heatsink?

Simple things to check and see what is going on with your card. And if you get frustrated, just walk away from it for a while and do something else. Trust me, tempers and computer problems don't end in good things.

 

The fan is working, I'm positive about that. Theres a cover on the card... so I don't know how to open it. Neither do I know if there is a heat sink on it... I'm not good with parts of a gpu...

 

The cover and fan housing is also the heatsink. If it were mine, I would remove it from the computer, and use a can of 'air' (compressed gas can you can pick up at WalMart or Office Depot) and blow from the fan into the covered area. You should use a pencil or something to hold the fan still as you do this.

 

Is dust off ok or does it have have to much moisture?

 

Moisture on computer parts is generally considered bad... I would go with just the air. A can is only a dollar or so.

 

Not sure about Dust Off. Looks like a regular can of 'air'. http://www.falconsafety.com/dustoff/ProductDetails.aspx?ItemId=60