Gtx980Ti AMP! Temp issues

[Dan011093]

Hello guys.
I bought a gtx980Ti about 9 months ago. So far, so good, nice overclocking and stuff. When i firt received the card, it would run games OCed at 1400Mhz at around 74C to 77C max. I just tested those clocks for a while and then switched to stock. I stoped gaming demanding stuff for a while and didnt bother on checking temps for around 6 months. About a week ago i started playing the witcher 3 and BF4 again and noticed my temps were around 82C (This is about 10C more than how it used to run before). I checked the card, all the fans are running (the case is the same) theres not dust on the card, and im worried sick about this. (Please note that the cards usage has always been around 99% even when i bought it).

What should i do? Should i replace the thermal paste? i read some reviews at newegg saying that this card has HORRIBLE thermal paste inside...

(Btw i asked zotac's customer support and they said reapplying thermal paste does not void the warranty as long as i do not break anything)

 

[c4s2k3]

82C is a little high, but probably nothing dangerous.

1. Is the room temperature the same as it was when it peaked @ 77C?
2. Any driver updates since then?

 

[geofelt]

You have two ways to go.

1. Just ignore the higher temperature. The cards are designed to tolerate high heat.
Most gtx980 cards will target about 80c as their preferred operating temperature and run as fast as they can at that temperature.
You can, perhaps fiddle with the fan profile and run the fans faster under load.
And, check your case cooling. Take the side covers off and see if that helps. If it does, look to case cooling solutions.

2. You can replace the thermal paste. I would normally not suggest that, but since zotac users have experienced paste issues, your card may be more susceptible to paste deterioration than most.
Just be careful.

 

[Dan011093]

Allright, answering both of you guys at the same time 😀.

The case and room temps are the same, pretty sure they arent the cause.

I have only updated drivers, BUT the weird thing is that the card has always performed the same 99% load and such. This temps are just a new thing...

 

[azzazel_99]

Honestly running a custom fan profile would be smart anyways but with rhe updates done to bf4 and other games since you last played maybe pushing your gpu harder. Gpu core usage maybe 99% then and now but now you maybe using more vram ir something and it could be causing a little higher temps. Of course replacing thermal paste isnt a terrible solution just be super careful and i would get an email so you have something in writing saying it wont void the warranty. You may have spoke with a new guy who didnt really know what he was talking about. Just to ensure you dont void warranty. Most companies void their warranty if you mess with thermal paste.

 

[c4s2k3]

The 99% load is perfectly normal when running a game. Sometimes drivers can make a difference. At that temp, the GPU isn't even close to throttling back due to heat. I honestly would just keep an eye on it and not worry about it unless it continues to deteriorate.

 

[Dan011093]

I have two eamils from Zotacs customer support.
The first one says that overclocking and changing the videocards cooling solution wont void the warranty.
The second e-mail says that i can replace the paste and the warranty wont be void unless i break something in the process.

Also, i get to 80C with 100% fan 🙁. (CPU stays at around 55 C 100% load air cooled, so yeah, it is not the case)

 

[Dan011093]

Also, my main concern about 80 82C is that ive heard that will kill the cards lifespan... thats something that really freaks me out. By the way, what are the possible issues if i reapply thermalpaste? can something go wrong?

 

[azzazel_99]

No the cards are made to run at that temp but if yur profile is at 100% and its still at that temp then you very well may need to re apply the thermal paste

 

[Dan011093]

Not sure in how to reply to azzazel_99, but ill just post another message xD.

Im suspecting it is the thermal paste because of the following...
8 months ago: 70% fan 77C Oced @ 1400Mhz 99% usage.
Now: 100% fan 84C Stock @ 1150Mhz 99% usage.

Case temps are the same from 8 months ago, theres not a noticeable ammount of dust in the card, all fans working, voltages are the exact same.

Is my assumption right? could it be the drivers or something else?
My main concern now is, which would be the risks on reapplying the paste, and how can i avoid them?

Thanks in advance!

Edit: By the way, i have arctic ceramique 2, is this a safe compound to be used?

 

[azzazel_99]

im not sure about that thermal paste but yes i would agree with you about it being the thermal paste.