Is 80C safe for long term usage of a GPU? (GTX 960)

[himmatsj]

When I run 3D intensive games like The Witcher 3, Gone to the Rapture, Hitman and Rise of the Tomb Raider, my GTX 960 hits the 80C thermal limit.

I can game for one to two hours at any one time.

There are various reasons for me hitting 80C: I live on the equator with ambient temps of 29-35C, I have an ITX single fan model and short heat sink, and my prebuilt PC case only has an exhaust fan, no intake.

I just want to know, is it safe to run at 80C while playing games? When idle, it is at 35C.

Thanks!

 

[Wolfz]

While it is true that heat degradates your hardware quicker than it would normally wear out, we have to understand that it might be cutting a graphics card's life from a 15 year life span to a 7 year. So, while you may be "damaging" your GPU by running it at a higher temperature, you aren't necessarily going to see a noticeable difference for years. Now, all of this is said with the caution that there are exceptions and people can have bad luck and their GPU/CPU/whatever it might be gets fried, but that's very unlikely at 80C. My GPU when I have a long gaming session sits at about 83C and has done so for a year and a half. I haven't noticed any performance loss at all over the time I've had it. Personally, I would say you are fine to run your card at 80C as long as you don't plan on using it for 7+ years, but if you're able to get it to run cooler, that is always more favorable.

 

[fonetic]

what your GTX 960 exact model?

 

[himmatsj]

what your GTX 960 exact model?

EVGA GTX 960 SC.

 

[fonetic]

what your GTX 960 exact model?

EVGA GTX 960 SC.

yeah EVGA has higher temps and for that card those are completely normal temperatures.

 

[17seconds]

Not only is it normal to run at 80c, it was designed to target that temperature and maintain exactly 80c as a normal operating temperature. You can check your Temp Limit variable in PrecisionX (or Afterburnter) to confirm.

 

[himmatsj]

Not only is it normal to run at 80c, it was designed to target that temperature and maintain exactly 80c as a normal operating temperature. You can check your Temp Limit variable in PrecisionX (or Afterburnter) to confirm.

Yes, my temp limit is indeed 80C.

Thing is, I come from a GTX 750 previously, that never ran above 70C. So to me, 80C naturally makes me scared. It's a temperature I'm not used to.

But if it is perfectly safe, then I shall not worry.

 

[17seconds]

Your card will taget 80c for its operating temperature by increasing Turbo Boost clock speeds below that temperature and then reducing them when it hits 80c. So it warms itself up below 80c and cools itself off at 80c.

With a GTX 750 Ti or with a custom ACX cooler, like you have, its more difficult to reach 80c and many people get used to seeing 70c or even less on a regular basis. That doesn't change the fact that 80c is the default Turbo Boost temperature target. Warm temperatures in your room, or weak case airflow will bring that temp closer to 80c. The GTX 980 Ti has a Temp LImit of 84c, so anything in that general range is completely normal and no cause for alarm. Note the Temp Limit is manually adjustable as part of overclocking.

 

[himmatsj]

Ok, so to confirm, if I were to run the GPU at 80C two hours every day, there should be no major decrease to the lifespan or performance quality of the GPU right? Would certain electronic components marginally degrade at those temps?

 

[PatrioticPickle]

Check the fan speeds of the GPU, a lot of the time you will find the fan speed only running at like 50% when running at 100% load, you can adjust the speeds manually.

 

[17seconds]

Ok, so to confirm, if I were to run the GPU at 80C two hours every day, there should be no major decrease to the lifespan or performance quality of the GPU right? Would certain electronic components marginally degrade at those temps?

Absolutely none whatsoever. Just remember over the past few years, these were normal operating temperatures.

GTX 480

GTX 580

GTX 680

GTX 780 Ti

GTX 980 Ti

 

[himmatsj]

Ok, but would there be any need to be more cautious, since we are talking about a GTX 960 "only" here and not a super high end card?

Could it be such that a GTX 960 is fitted with lower quality components with lower heat tolerance, since it is expected to stay much cooler than those you mentioned above?

Simply put, would I need to be worried if the max temp I get is 80C (after which there is downclocking to maintain that temp)? Maybe not damage to the GPU itself, but would this damage a motherboard or other stuff on a PC if done over a long run?

 

[Wolfz]

Ok, but would there be any need to be more cautious, since we are talking about a GTX 960 "only" here and not a super high end card?

Could it be such that a GTX 960 is fitted with lower quality components with lower heat tolerance, since it is expected to stay much cooler than those you mentioned above?

Simply put, would I need to be worried if the max temp I get is 80C (after which there is downclocking to maintain that temp)? Maybe not damage to the GPU itself, but would this damage a motherboard or other stuff on a PC if done over a long run?

No, 80C is a safe temperature limit for any modern graphics card, your card and your components in your case should be fine with the card being 80C. However, make sure your case has good airflow, don't block any of its fans or put them right next to the wall, you case will get hotter much quicker like that.