I think my graphics cards are overheating (something seems to be).

[Forbiddenone]

This is my computer:

http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/FX540_Series/2905953R/2905953Rnv.shtml

Here are the results of running DXDIAG: http://pastebin.ca/2570438


I am running Windows 8, and crash when I try to play any graphics intensive game for too long.


I've tried dusting out my computer (taking out the cards and getting the dust out of the nooks and crannies, etc), and while that helps, the problem does not go away. I've also tried updating my drivers. That didn't seem to help at all.


To make a long story short, I'm fairly certain my graphics card is overheating (speedfan says that when I am playing MechWarrior online on low settings, one of them can reach 80C!). I've also noticed that sometimes my computer will crash when playing youtube videos (that is quite rare though).


When my computer crashes, typically the screen will freeze for a while, then go dark, and I have to manually reset my computer.


I've noticed that when I run speedfan upon starting my computer, two of the fans inside are at 60% power (the other 2 are at 100%). Bumping the former two up to 100% every time I start up the computer seems to fix things barring really long gaming sessions. I've also noticed that my computer seems to run hot regardless (flame icons).


I have no experience at all with replacing fans or anything like that, and I was wondering:

1: Given the green plastic thing designed to shunt air from the front fan onto my processor, do I need to be careful when choosing a replacement fan? Is it possible that I could buy a replacement fan that does not properly fit, resulting in bad air flow? If so, how can I be sure to avoid this?

2: Could anyone recommend any suitable fans that have a built in filter or something similar so that I can just replace that regularly instead of having to remove a bunch of stuff when I dust to make sure I get it all out?

3: One of the little fans on my motherboard seems to be rattling, but I am not sure where to look to find a replacement (obviously I don't want to replace the whole board ). I got as far as the gateway website... but I don't see any specific information on those little fans.

4: Should I just replace my video cards, since they seem to be the problem?

5: I am actually using an older PC's power cord (it hasn't burst into flames as of yet so I don't think that's the problem, but I just thought I'd mention it).

6: My video cards are SLIed, but disabling SLI didn't seem to help... that said, if I do replace the video cards, should I look into another pair of cards, or just get the one? I heard that SLI was unstable a while back, but I'm wondering how it is now... have the kinks been worked out?


Also, both cards have a fan built in to them, but due to the way they have to be positioned, one of the fans is blowing directly onto the other card... that's the way the computer came, though, and I don't see any way of fixing this due to the arrangement of the slots (and the size of the SLI bridge).

 

[johnnyb105]

I BELIVE YOUR BEST BET WOULD to do a upgrade to that card its older generation much slower and gets much hotter.

 

[jb6684]

The power supply is important, it can over heat from a heavy load and cause crashes. What supply do you have?

You can remove one of the GPU's from the system. That will reduce heat, and, load on that power supply. If things run stable then, post back.

Use SpeedFan and post CPU temperatures.... (and a picture of the CPU cooler...)

 

[Forbiddenone]

Soon after starting up:
http://speccy.piriform.com/results/rvt3qAhVWKvSy7CN5PDRz7d

While running MW:O on the lowest settings:
http://speccy.piriform.com/results/w4XUP6TUp4Es0eEVEw0B7mJ

http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/FX540_Series/2905953R/2905953Rnv.shtml

Power supply: http://support.gateway.com/s/Power/6506122R/6506122Rnv.shtml

http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/Intel2/2528491R/2528491Rmv.shtml

 

[jb6684]

CPU temperature is 48C, this is Not hot. It is very, very odd that CPU temperature does Not go UP during gaming but remains Exactly at 48C. I would have expected a 10--20C rise.... (run Prime95 and report temp of CPU running that for 20mins)

The GPU temps idle temps seem fine, 57 & 60C (the cards pictured have minimal heat sinks & single tiny fan). I have an old 9600GT very similar type, I get similar idle temps.

The GPU moving up to 73 and 77 during gaming again seems about right. Temps below 85C are absolutely fine. Things are bit too warm if your in 90C--95C range. Things start throttling or shutting down about 95--100C. Again, my old 9600GT runs 85C while gaming. My new GTX690 runs 85C--88C.

Bottom line, ALL your temps are fine.

If things are still failing again, try one GPU at time. Run FurMark to get temps cooking (90C would not be unexpected) and see if running that program and THOSE temps cause a system crash. ONE card at a time in the system. This is to see is one of your cards is bad and other is good....