GPU (I believe) is overheating

[Mblack04]

Recently my computer started shutting down while playing games or recording gameplay. Specifically it shut off three times while playing World of Warcraft on the highest settings and also shut off while recording League of Legends gameplay on the highest settings. I am almost positive it is the GPU, I've been monitoring temps via CPUID Hardware Monitor and noticed my GPU spikes to over 100c, while my processor will sometimes reach 90 but usually stays around 80 and everything else is low.

I've tried cleaning out every bit of dust from my computer case as well as my heatsinks, I've re-applied the thermal compound to my GPU, I've tried putting a fan next to my computer case, but the temperatures still reach over 100c at times while gaming. It hasn't overheated in a while, but I haven't really given it the opportunity as once I see the temps start to reach the high 90s I usually stop playing (this only takes somewhere between 30 minutes to an hour depending on the game)

I really don't know what else to do so any suggestions would be great, my GPU is only about a year old and here are my PC specs:

Mobo: MSI 760GM-E51
GPU: ATI Radeon Sapphire HD 6850
CPU: AMD 8-Core FX-8120
RAM: 2x4GB (8GB RAM)
^^ All of these components installed Jan. 2012

PSU: XPOWER780 600W(780W Peak) ATX12V v2.3 - Installed Sept. 2011
HDD: Western Digital 120GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gbps 8MB Cache 3.5-inch - This is pretty old, probably installed early '09

I have a 120mm fan on the rear of my case and a large fan on the side, not sure exactly how big probably around 200mm (not very knowledgeable on fans)

With my setup I should easily be able to run WoW on ultra settings without overheating and I've done it many times before in 25 man raids that are more graphically intense, but I was overheating in starting zones on a new character.

 

[Mblack04]

I checked your voltages and they are within range of others. The only common factor that comes to mind that would cause these issues is either motherboard issues or poor ventilation.

Try putting a floor fan up next to the exposed case and see if that has an effect. It could just be a faulty motherboard reporting false temps.

Yep I've tried putting a fan next to it and the temps go up the same. That thought had crossed my mind that something could just be off and those aren't the actual temps, seeing as there is no reason they should be going that high, but could that really be it? Since temperatures seem to go up only when I'm actually doing something that is more high performance oriented.

 

[Mblack04]

Ok, I've re-pasted my CPU now and actually when I removed the heatsink I got rid of a TON of dust that was built up in there and I could only get it out after removing the heatsink, also the paste was pretty thin on my CPU. Now I just recorded for 28 minutes on Neverwinter and my CPU only maxed out at 66C! My GPU on the other hand went up to 103C which seems very high still, my computer didn't shut off though so maybe my CPU was overheating it before? I know it was up to at least 80 the last time it overheated.

 

[smeezekitty]

Now your CPU is hot but tolerable but your GPU is in danger. It should never exceed 100c. I would try to clean dust from that heatsink as well if possible. In any case, something is wrong.

 

[thor220]

I checked your voltages and they are within range of others. The only common factor that comes to mind that would cause these issues is either motherboard issues or poor ventilation.

Try putting a floor fan up next to the exposed case and see if that has an effect. It could just be a faulty motherboard reporting false temps.

Yep I've tried putting a fan next to it and the temps go up the same. That thought had crossed my mind that something could just be off and those aren't the actual temps, seeing as there is no reason they should be going that high, but could that really be it? Since temperatures seem to go up only when I'm actually doing something that is more high performance oriented.

Ok, I've re-pasted my CPU now and actually when I removed the heatsink I got rid of a TON of dust that was built up in there and I could only get it out after removing the heatsink, also the paste was pretty thin on my CPU. Now I just recorded for 28 minutes on Neverwinter and my CPU only maxed out at 66C! My GPU on the other hand went up to 103C which seems very high still, my computer didn't shut off though so maybe my CPU was overheating it before? I know it was up to at least 80 the last time it overheated.

The GPU can tolerate a lot hotter temperatures but your pushing it. That CPU temp falling proves that is wasn't the motherboard or psu. Try applying the paste to the gpu again. FYI the past is supposed to be really thin. Only enough to fill in the microscopic holes between the two surfaces and a bit more.

 

[Mblack04]

The GPU can tolerate a lot hotter temperatures but your pushing it. That CPU temp falling proves that is wasn't the motherboard or psu. Try applying the paste to the gpu again. FYI the past is supposed to be really thin. Only enough to fill in the microscopic holes between the two surfaces and a bit more.

I re-applied the paste and was idle at around 50c, then ran a stress test in furmark and went up to 100c in less than 2 minutes... Not sure what else to do here about this GPU!

 

[ingtar33]

well, you can live with a cpu in the 60-65C range... it's on the very high end of what an FX should be operating at (i'd suggest you look into replacing that cpu cooler just to preserve the life of your cpu)... but at least you're not in danger of damaging it anymore.

it sounds to me like you might not know how to propperly apply thermal paste. It's alright, it's not something you just know. and manuals rarely are specific enough to know it.

Simply put all you need is a "drop" of thermal paste in the middle of the cpu... a bead/drop... whatever. you're not looking to drown it... this isn't a peanutbutter sandwich... the tight fit between the cpu and cooling sink will spread that small amount of paste over the whole surface of the chip/sink connection just with a little pressure from latching your cooler in.

sorry if you're applying the paste right, just going off your lingo since i've got little else at this point to point you are the culprit other then your system is running way too hot, and the case and fans both aren't the problem. that leaves the thermal paste.

 

[Mblack04]

well, you can live with a cpu in the 60-65C range... it's on the very high end of what an FX should be operating at (i'd suggest you look into replacing that cpu cooler just to preserve the life of your cpu)... but at least you're not in danger of damaging it anymore.

it sounds to me like you might not know how to propperly apply thermal paste. It's alright, it's not something you just know. and manuals rarely are specific enough to know it.

Simply put all you need is a "drop" of thermal paste in the middle of the cpu... a bead/drop... whatever. you're not looking to drown it... this isn't a peanutbutter sandwich... the tight fit between the cpu and cooling sink will spread that small amount of paste over the whole surface of the chip/sink connection just with a little pressure from latching your cooler in.

sorry if you're applying the paste right, just going off your lingo since i've got little else at this point to point you are the culprit other then your system is running way too hot, and the case and fans both aren't the problem. that leaves the thermal paste.

I'm only using a drop, I have been pasting it on with a plastic tool that came with my compound, but now I just tried putting a drop on and putting it together and letting the lack of space do it's work and temps are still high. My temperatures always start off around 50 when I boot up my computer, and then spike up super fast when I start playing a game or something.

 

[ingtar33]

I'm only using a drop, I have been pasting it on with a plastic tool that came with my compound, but now I just tried putting a drop on and putting it together and letting the lack of space do it's work and temps are still high. My temperatures always start off around 50 when I boot up my computer, and then spike up super fast when I start playing a game or something.

🙁

well... i suppose you could replace the cpu/gpu coolers.

 

[Mblack04]

I'm only using a drop, I have been pasting it on with a plastic tool that came with my compound, but now I just tried putting a drop on and putting it together and letting the lack of space do it's work and temps are still high. My temperatures always start off around 50 when I boot up my computer, and then spike up super fast when I start playing a game or something.

🙁

well... i suppose you could replace the cpu/gpu coolers.

Well I just noticed something pretty interesting, I was messing around with my fan speeds and here's what happened: I'm idle at 57c right now, and my fan speed was around 40%, I turned it up to 100% and my temperature was then: 57c still! So I tried turning my fan speed to 0%, and my temp remained 57c, and I physically looked at my fan every time I changed the speed and it looked the exact same. I don't really know what to take from that, my fan is spinning, but I'm not able to change the speed at all? Maybe it's actually spinning at 20% or something and never speeds up even when temps rise?