Idle temp increase/load temp decrease?

[ranger719]

Hi!

Thanks for taking a look.

I recently replaced the stock thermal paste that came with my xfx double D 6870 with so AS5. I let it cure for about a week, of some gaming and burn ins. Now, I've been wondering. right now the temps have been idle and load 47/87 and before it was 42/82. Why has my idle gone up and my load gone down? It's all in the same temperature, indoors at about 23~ C, and all at 100% fan speed. What's happening?

Thank you!

 

[steddora]

You probably didn't apply the paste correctly. Too little or too much can cause more heat. You don't need much at all when applying thermal paste. Try redoing it and pull it off. There should be a very thin layer on the GPU and HSF when you pull it apart. If there's a lot gobbed up off the side of the GPU, there's too much. If there isn't enough covering the GPU then there isn't enough.

Before re-applying don't forget to clean with some isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth or coffee filter before applying new.

 

[ranger719]

You probably didn't apply the paste correctly. Too little or too much can cause more heat. You don't need much at all when applying thermal paste. Try redoing it and pull it off. There should be a very thin layer on the GPU and HSF when you pull it apart. If there's a lot gobbed up off the side of the GPU, there's too much. If there isn't enough covering the GPU then there isn't enough.

Before re-applying don't forget to clean with some isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth or coffee filter before applying new.

I've seen it already, and it's the perfect amount, with just a bit on the edges.

 

[noidea_77]

It's the fan control. The bios of the card "knows" of the temp curve with the standard paste and controls the fan speed accordingly. The temp curve now changed and so does the temp.

 

[ranger719]

It's the fan control. The bios of the card "knows" of the temp curve with the standard paste and controls the fan speed accordingly. The temp curve now changed and so does the temp.

I kept it a 100% fan speed in afterburner for both times.

 

[steddora]

Well if it's a good application then maybe the paste isn't as good, poor mounting (not fitted right), or just simply AS5 isn't as good as the stock gunk that was on it.