Dual Monitors With Different Refresh Rates Cranks Heat Of My GPU

[BSGriggs]

I run dual monitors, both at 60hz. Unfortunately one of them died recently and I had to get a new one. I decided to spend a good chunk of money getting a really nice one. Got the monitor, set it up to be at 144hz while having the other monitor at 60hz (60 is max for that monitor). When idle the GPU temp is fine, around maybe 30 celsius max. However when I start to play WoW the temp jumps to 80 celsius - sometimes spikes to 85 celsius! When I unplugged the 60hz monitor and just play off the 144hz the temp seems better - roughly around 60 celsius with spikes to 70 celsius. If I have both monitors up and set to 60hz the temps hover around 60 celsius. I'll note that I'm using the 144hz monitor for gaming while the 60hz monitor is just for web browsing.

I understand I'm putting more work load on the GPU but the temperature difference is crazy to me! I contacted Nvidia support about the issue and they said it was fine and to only worry if the temp exceeds 90 celsius - I don't believe that at all! I don't feel like sending my GPU to an early grave.

At this point I'm thinking I should get another of the high quality monitor this way they're both at the same refresh rate and may be easier on the GPU? I'm not entirely sure hence why I'm posting here. I don't wanna spend another big chunk in hopes it helps if it won't.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

My PC Build
Primary Monitor: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZXZ3QBD/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Secondary Monitor: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BIBB1KI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
OS: Windows 10 Pro (64 bit)
GPU: Zotac 1080ti Founders Edition
CPU: Intel i7-7700k
CPU Cooler: Corsair Hydro Series H100i v2
RAM: G.Skill 32GB Rip-jaws 4 DDR4 2400hz
MOBO: Asus ROG Maximus IX Hero
Memory: WD 2TB Hard Disk Drive, Samsung 960 EVO Series 250GB
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNova 850 G2
Case: Mastercase Pro 5 Mid-Tower (Free Form Modular System)

 

[androbourne]

When you upgraded to the new monitor. What size did you get?

I found 3 monitors 2x 24 inch and a 35 inch TV. I'm using a 1070 with gsync enabled on only my primary monitor and have no issues. So a 1080 should be able to handle that no issue.

If I had to guess. It could be a case cooling issue or a fan curve issue. The Founders edition cards use a reference design which is set to blow air outside the case. Which is nice but if you don't properly have your fans configured for the right airflow. You could be blowing that air out from the GPU and bringing it right back into the system, causing heating issues.

And yes, it is normal to see a little more load due to extra monitors (not much through unless you game on all of them) which in turn would cause more GPU usage and more heat then before.

So this could very well be your issue.

 

[BSGriggs]

When you upgraded to the new monitor. What size did you get?

I found 3 monitors 2x 24 inch and a 35 inch TV. I'm using a 1070 with gsync enabled on only my primary monitor and have no issues. So a 1080 should be able to handle that no issue.

If I had to guess. It could be a case cooling issue or a fan curve issue. The Founders edition cards use a reference design which is set to blow air outside the case. Which is nice but if you don't properly have your fans configured for the right airflow. You could be blowing that air out from the GPU and bringing it right back into the system, causing heating issues.

And yes, it is normal to see a little more load due to extra monitors (not much through unless you game on all of them) which in turn would cause more GPU usage and more heat then before.

So this could very well be your issue.

Ah ok - maybe I'll have to figure out how to to address the possible fan curve issue. The new monitor I got was a 27inch with Gsync, IPS, and 144hz. Second monitor is 29inch, No gsync, TN, and 60hz. I should've included this info earlier. I'll also note there is no issues with graphics, everything runs smooth - I'm just worried about temps. How would I look into fan curve issues? Software I should use or?

 

[androbourne]

I personally have a fan controller that I manually control the fan curve on and I also use Corsair Link to manage my automatic fan curve.

You could also use something like MSI Afterburning.

Here is a thread about it from Nvidia, some users trying to find the sweet spot for fan curves. Might give you a good idea of where to start.

https://forums.evga.com/GTX-1080-Custom-Fan-Curves-m2511808.aspx

 

[BSGriggs]

I personally have a fan controller that I manually control the fan curve on and I also use Corsair Link to manage my automatic fan curve.

You could also use something like MSI Afterburning.

Here is a thread about it from Nvidia, some users trying to find the sweet spot for fan curves. Might give you a good idea of where to start.

https://forums.evga.com/GTX-1080-Custom-Fan-Curves-m2511808.aspx

Thanks for the link and info! I'm not home atm but know the fan setup for my rig. I have fans pulling in cool air from the front and the CPU radiator with it's fans pull the hot air out the top while the one fan in the back of the rig also pulls out any remaining hot air. I have read this card runs hot quite a bit. In that thread you linked some said they've run 80C for years and haven't had issues.

I use Corsair Link to manage and monitor temps as well, I use the performance preset. I also use Firestorm by Zotac to tweak fan speeds for the GPU. I'll make sure to look more into these once I'm home.

 

[androbourne]

Yeah np!

I really wouldn't worry until your temps get to the high 80s. They normally don't thermal throttle until about 85-90c.

 

[BSGriggs]

Yeah np!

I really wouldn't worry until your temps get to the high 80s. They normally don't thermal throttle until about 85-90c.

Is fair but like I said before when I ran both monitors one at 60hz and the other at 144hz the GPU would spike sometimes to 84-85C. It just freaks me out ha!

 

[androbourne]

Yeah I gotcha. I'm the same way. I even used fog to determine my case airflow to get it how I wanted it perfectly for the most efficient airflow I could get with best cooling fans etc...

I think I took it to far, but that's ADD for ya.

 

[BSGriggs]

Yeah I gotcha. I'm the same way. I even used fog to determine my case airflow to get it how I wanted it perfectly for the most efficient airflow I could get with best cooling fans etc...

I think I took it to far, but that's ADD for ya.

So I think I've solved the issue (with your help). Once I got home I booted up my comp with both monitors plugged in and had firestorm (Zotacs GPU configuration & monitoring software), and Corsair Link up. All I did was instead of letting Zotac do auto Fan speeds on the GPU I set it to manual and put it to about 45%. The GPU stayed right around 60C and would sometimes even be as low as 50C with a game running.

So I think it was a software issue where for some reason Zotacs auto fan speed for the GPU doesn't seem to go much higher than 30% fan speed. Even when I'm playing games - seems odd to me. Maybe I should try MSI Afterburner, maybe that's more helpful? I'm not sure if their auto speeds would actually adjust better to the GPU heat readings.

I had the worry that maybe I'm overworking the GPU fan speed but I also thought a 15% increase wasn't bad at all but let me know if you think that is too taxing on it.

 

[androbourne]

You are completely fine pushing it that extra 15%. I personally run my fans on quite mode using a hardware fan controller and that runs it at around the 45% mark as well. When I go into full power mode it can jump up to 75% fan speed depending on the heat levels.

However, I think you are right about the Firestorm issue. I personally never used the program but it doesn't sound like it acting properly.

I also use a custom fan curve. I personally use my fan controller hardware but before that I did use MSI Afterburner and Cosair Link. (I like Link better for custom fan curves).

It may take a few gaming sessions for you to work out a fan curve that fits your needs but play around with it and once you find a good curve, set it and monitor your system, on and off gaming for about a week. If all is good, then you are all set!