Question Cables touching hot GPU

[ReeDoK]

Hi guys!

So I bought a used RX 580 8GB (Sapphire Nitro edition) and so far everything is awesome, except for the cables that are a bit short and they touch the GPU heatpipe, I tried to move them inside the case, but if they come from the top, I can no longer plug the power cables in the GPU. The maximum temperature in FurMark was 67C degrees.

Could this temperature damage the cables in some way overtime?

 

[hotaru.hino]

Cables are exposed to the hot exhaust from video cards all the time and don't really seem to have problems. As long as you're using good enough cables (i.e., the ones from your PSU) and the video card isn't getting to like 100+C all the time, it's fine.

 

[ReeDoK]

Cables are exposed to the hot exhaust from video cards all the time and don't really seem to have problems. As long as you're using good enough cables (i.e., the ones from your PSU) and the video card isn't getting to like 100+C all the time, it's fine.

I'm using a 650W PSU from Thermaltake, but the cables feel a bit cheap and it's written 80C degrees on them. Maybe using some electrical tape could help?

 

[hotaru.hino]

I'm using a 650W PSU from Thermaltake, but the cables feel a bit cheap and it's written 80C degrees on them. Maybe using some electrical tape could help?

The temperature on the cable insulation is more for how hot the wires can safely get to, not necessarily when the insulation starts melting. And the insulation should be able to withstand much higher than that.

Can you take a picture of what's going on? We can probably find some way to get the cable to not touch the heat pipe if that makes you feel better.

 

[Ralston18]

Per @hotaru.hino :

"Can you take a picture of what's going on? We can probably find some way to get the cable to not touch the heat pipe if that makes you feel better."

Agree.

Just a bit of separation is all that may be necessary.

Overall, keep in mind that whatever is done may not work and/or some other factor forces a "do over".

So think in terms of nothing permanent and thus easy to undo.

 

[hedwar2011]

Might consider using a 90° power adapter for your GPU power to give you some extra slack if it's that tight. Could make all the difference.

 

[Nigel Spike]

Water boils at 100° C. If the cable insulating "plastic" would melt at that temp or lower, I would be seriously worried.

 

[hotaru.hino]

The internet tells me PVC (which is common for wire insulation) has a melting of 100C to 260C, depending on the type.

This site says the melting point of PVC used in electrical wiring is usually around 160-190C.

 

[ReeDoK]

The temperature on the cable insulation is more for how hot the wires can safely get to, not necessarily when the insulation starts melting. And the insulation should be able to withstand much higher than that.

Can you take a picture of what's going on? We can probably find some way to get the cable to not touch the heat pipe if that makes you feel better.

This what it looks like. I know there is a lot of dust, but for the moment I want to test everything and I think I could probably rearrange cables to look better.

 

[ReeDoK]

Your GPU won't reach temperatures high enough to melt the wire insulation. Technically fine to be touching even exposed metal (that's why it has insulation on it) but I wouldn't do it. If it is just touching the plastic shroud on the GPU and not any exposed metal you're probably fine, the plastic doesn't transfer heat well anyway.

Well, the cables do touch the heatpipe (which I guess it's made from metal like copper or aluminium) and it is warm during high usage. Maybe is not really a problem, but I just want to be sure.

 

[Ralston18]

The yellow and black wires - correct?

I see what appears to me as being a white tie wrap just below that "loop" of wires.

If so, that tie wrap, and possibly others, may be too tight. You may be able to carefully cut the tie wrap or tie wraps to gain a bit more slack and then shift the wires a bit. May be some availabe slack on the underside.

Add a couple more photographs to your post and wait for other ideas and suggestions.

 

[hotaru.hino]

Well, the cables do touch the heatpipe (which I guess it's made from metal like copper or aluminium) and it is warm during high usage. Maybe is not really a problem, but I just want to be sure.

It shouldn't be, given it's also pretty far away from the GPU itself. In addition, the cooling system* can't be hotter than the source of the thing its cooling. So if the GPU is hovering around 70C, the hottest the whole heat sink can be is 70C (but it won't be unless there's a cooling problem)

*Unless it's a phase change or Peltier cooler, but that's beside the point.

 

[ReeDoK]

The yellow and black wires - correct?

I see what appears to me as being a white tie wrap just below that "loop" of wires.

If so, that tie wrap, and possibly others, may be too tight. You may be able to carefully cut the tie wrap or tie wraps to gain a bit more slack and then shift the wires a bit. May be some availabe slack on the underside.

Add a couple more photographs to your post and wait for other ideas and suggestions.

I'm not at home right now, but I want to mention that the cables barely touch the heatpipe, they are not pressed against it. There is actually 2-3 milimeters space between them from what I've seen. I think I can pull the power cables a bit more so there is even more space.

 

[boju]

Ehh that won't melt anything. But just a piece of air, coolant or fuel line hose cut to size and wrapped around the wires making contact would do, even piece of garden hose