Help with GPU overheating problem?

CornBeef

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Jun 24, 2014
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10,510
Hello everyone.
I recently purchased a new game for my pc. 3/4ths of the way through the storyline my computer began to suffer a series of increasingly frequent crashes. The crashes have remained consistent in their symptoms. Roughly ten minutes into playing the game will crash, resulting in a black screen and odd noises coming from the speakers. To figure out the problem I tried troubleshooting everything I could. The cpu is clean and fine temperature wise. All fans are working normally. All drivers are up to date. Even programs such as photoshop and the internet work fine. Only graphically intense video games crash my computer. (lowering in game settings does not stop the crashes)

I began to test my GPU and found that stress testing it resulted in a crash. Bad news for me.
Stressing it, which would push the temp past 110 degrees seems to result in a crash, which would occur every time I'd try to play a game. This is a problem I've never had before and don't really know how to proceed. I'm currently using a GeForce GTX 480.

I'm not super knowledgeable with these issues and could use some help figuring out where to go from here.
Thank you very much.
 
The GTX480s and 460s are getting to near end of life. There's been quite a few reported as crashing. If you've taken care of them - kept them clean and managed their settings - then there's nothing you can really do other than replace them. It's not worth spending much time or money on them.

They should be kept under 80C at all times. Make sure you're using a reasonable fan profile in Afterburner. Maybe look at replacing the thermal paste - if you're up to it.
 
Stressing a GPU is bad unlike a CPU. 110 C you are already past boiling your components if they are unsoldered then watch your GPU. GPU's tend to get warmer than CPU's. Maybe your CPU is bottlenecking the GPU and its throttling resulting in High Temps
 
Download the EVGA Precision X software and install that on your PC. This will allow you to adjust fan speed and set temperature thresholds that will prevent the over heating. (I'm assuming you have an EVGA graphics card. If you have a card from another manufacturer you need to check their website for various utilities that can be used to control temperature). On a side note, 110 degrees is way too hot for extended periods of use...
 
Thank you all for the replies.
i7Baby- This is what I've been suspecting for a bit. The one thing that confuses me is that if it was failing, shouldn't all programs and stress crash the pc, not just the really intense stuff?

Justkeeplookin-That is distressing information. "Maybe your CPU is bottlenecking the GPU and its throttling resulting in High Temps"- do you have any advice on how to test this out?

punahou1-I have indeed been using the Precision X tool. I've never tried to adjust the fan speed or anything as it's never given me trouble until very recently. According to the Precision X, my GPU is idling at around 85 degrees, and the fans are set to adjust automatically. (currently also around 85%)
 
Hi there - note that the maximum temperature your card supports is 100 degrees Celsius. Try setting a lower threshold in Precision X. If that doesn't help then also set your fan speed to max as opposed to auto. (I assume that you can see that the fans are working..). Worst case is that you may need to run your new game at a lower graphic setting with this card.
 
No need for EVGA software. This softqare is a broad one for most graphic cards all you need is temp sensors and fan controllers which even old computers have. SpeedFan lets you change Fan Speeds,Check CPU Vcore Voltages, CPU Usage, Tells you when your components are really hot.


Run your fan at 90-100% if you want for 5 minutes you should be good. But that GPU though
 
i7Baby-It's starting to sound like I should shop around for a replacement.

punahou1- I'm attempting to do that with the fans, but they're running at around 80-90% already so I don't know how much more they can help. Running the games at lower setting also still results in crashes, it simply takes 5-10 minutes longer for it to crash.

Justkeeplookin- How can I tell specifically if my CPU is bottle necking my system? I actively monitor my CPU temps and voltage and they're all in manageable levels. (I have a long history with my CPU acting up though)

Thank you all for the replies!
 
i7Baby- Thanks for the link! I have to assume that if my rig can fit the 480, then it should also be able to fit/handle the 960, right?

Justkeeplookin- I should probably have included that earlier. It's an AMD FX-8150.
 
Thank you all for your advice! It's helped put my mind at ease.
It's sounding to me like the safest course of action is to begin researching replacement parts for when it does indeed completely fail.
I may also attempt to replace the GPUs thermal paste but not until the situation prevents me from working.
Thank you all for your help.
 
As a note, I've tested and confirmed that boosting the fans up to 100% does not prevent overheating and crashing. The temperature continues to climb past the 105 degree mark in a matter of minutes.
This leaves thermal paste as the only remaining option, but I seriously doubt that it will curb this amount of heating. Could I be wrong?
 
Its possible. Every CPU's surface has imperfections this means that there is not 100% contact between CPU and heatsink. To solve this they applied thermal paste to fill in the small gaps and crevices to allow more contact and thermal paste is heat conductive so its a win win