AMD Radeon 5670 replacement query

[DSpurs]

Hello,

I have an AMD Radeon HD 5670 graphics card in a Dell i5 cpu 750 machine running Windows 7. My graphics card is runnign very hot (running Civ 5) and I have been back and forth with AMD. I am wondering whether I need to upgrade my GPU and if there was a simple upgrade option. I don't know an awful lot about the options and something that will slot is like for like albeit more powerful. Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks

David

 

[coozie7]

No, the GPU will run the same.
It's possible that you've not been able to fully clean out the cooler, plenty of them have a plastic shroud that helps to direct airflow over heatsink the only practical way to get them fully clean is to remove the card and blow it out using a can of gas, available at most computer stores.
The other possible reason for such a high temperature is that the thermal paste has dried out and lost some of its conductivity but replacing that is a rather more complicated procedure as it requires the removal the heatsink itself.
If I were to replace the powersupply I'd probably look for a modular unit like this: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-229-SV&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=2463
Or a semi modular one like this: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-181-AN&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=2463
My reasoning is that most prebuilt cases don't have room to tuck unwanted cables out of the way, they not only make further upgrades/maintenance more difficult but block airflow.
Any of the powersupplies linked will easily cope with any reasonable GPU upgrade BTW, up to and including a AMD R9 280, although that's really well above what I think you currently need.

 

[DSpurs]

No, the GPU will run the same.
It's possible that you've not been able to fully clean out the cooler, plenty of them have a plastic shroud that helps to direct airflow over heatsink the only practical way to get them fully clean is to remove the card and blow it out using a can of gas, available at most computer stores.
The other possible reason for such a high temperature is that the thermal paste has dried out and lost some of its conductivity but replacing that is a rather more complicated procedure as it requires the removal the heatsink itself.
If I were to replace the powersupply I'd probably look for a modular unit like this: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-229-SV&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=2463
Or a semi modular one like this: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-181-AN&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=2463
My reasoning is that most prebuilt cases don't have room to tuck unwanted cables out of the way, they not only make further upgrades/maintenance more difficult but block airflow.
Any of the powersupplies linked will easily cope with any reasonable GPU upgrade BTW, up to and including a AMD R9 280, although that's really well above what I think you currently need.

Ok, thanks again. I did wonder about modular (I had seen this one: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-117-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1084).

Given your comments I took the GPU out again and cleaned it. Load temp has dropped to 101c from 107c, so I guess that's progress! Starting temp also lowered to around 69/70c (from 75c). Guess that is still too high when loaded and I have many of the game settings turned down.

CPU temp seems bit lower too at 33-35 idle (from 40c) up to 54/55 under load (from 60c)

So overall cleaning lowered it a bit but looks like I need to replace both GPU and PSU still.

Thanks again, if nothing else having looked at online videos about the PSU and removing the GPU to clean it I have the confidence to replace both myself now, with your kit recommendations too.

 

[DSpurs]

Ok, final word on this. I took a trip to get some compressed air and took the GPU out again. Cleaned it and by being a bit more bold than before I dislodged a significant amount of dirt. Now it sits at an idle temperature of about 45c and running Civ V, full screen, high resolution and default graphics setting (med/high) and it hits just about 75c (down from 105/7c). Fan sitting at 44% rather than 100%! So a very marked improvement!

Thank you again for all the help. May have just saved myself £170 for a while until I have to upgrade and now have practice at removing/cleaning components.

 

[coozie7]

Would you be ok with a smug "I told you so" comment? 😉
Saving money is always handy and it sounds like you've learnt no to be quite so nervous around computers, trust me, I know plenty of people who would shy away from unplugging a mouse, let alone taking parts out of a system.
Always good to get a positive result so happy gaming.

 

[DSpurs]

Would you be ok with a smug "I told you so" comment? 😉
Saving money is always handy and it sounds like you've learnt no to be quite so nervous around computers, trust me, I know plenty of people who would shy away from unplugging a mouse, let alone taking parts out of a system.
Always good to get a positive result so happy gaming.

Very happy with a smug I told you so. Seems to have done the trick. Was really surprised how much rubbish was in the GPU and has totally sorted the issue. So thanks again!