Radeon 6450 overheats and PC shuts down when playing Skyrim for 1 hour or so

[avatar33]

Hi guys,

Everything is in the title... I play Skyrim for about an hour or so, and the PC shuts down. I figured it was because my video card was overheating because when I touch it it basically burns my hand! I don't know the exact temperature but it's obviously unsafe and way higher than it should be.

What can I do to cool it down and keep it cooler while playing Skyrim?

My computer specs:

Video card: ASUS AMD Radeon HD 6450 2GB DDR3

PC: Acer Aspire X3400 (the small tower model. I had to cut some metal in the back of the case to be able to fit the card since it was larger than the case could handle.

RAM: 7GB

CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 255 3.0 GHZ

 

[dextermat]

Video card runs at around 55 to 65 + degree (and can still work even at 80 degree plus) so it's normal that they are hot when touching, you can't assume it's overheating.

download speedfan core temp and a program to monitor you gpu

(go to manufacturer website, Ex. asus, msi, xfx and download it from there.)

 

[bak0n]

The CCC "amd's software" can be accessed by right clicking on the desktop on a free space, go to the performance tab then amd overdrive. It will tell you the temp its running. You can also manually increase the fan speed from there. Also check and make sure there isn't a cable blocking the fan from spinning in your case, or if the fan on the video card is even functioning.

If it still does it after that then you can redo the thermal paste if you are technical enough, or if not, you should just go and get a new card or underclock your current one.

 

[avatar33]

Is this what I'm looking for? http://i.imgur.com/VNsqvRn.png

The numbers I see there are scary, and I'm not even gaming right now!

 

[de5_Roy]

is this your pc?
http://zapp5.staticworld.net/reviews/graphics/products/uploaded/acer_x3400.html_585105_g3.jpg

is your card passively cooled? i mean, does your card have a cooling fan on it? if it's only a heatsink, you should refrain from gaming on it without providing good cooling first.
incompatible hardware causes too many problems. in your pc's case (no pun intended) it looks like your gfx card and case were not compatible. if you want to keep the card cool, put a portable fan next to it and see if temps drop. otherwise, get a new pc or play a less taxing game.

 

[avatar33]

Yes that is my PC. The case was obviously not designed for such a card. Like I said in my OP, I had to break down some metal at the back of the PCI slot to be able to fit the card.

Did you see the screenshot I posted above your post? I'm not even gaming right now and it's 106 degrees.

This is my video card, not sure if it is "passively cooled" or not: http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/asus-asus-amd-radeon-hd-6450-2gb-ddr3-pci-e-video-card-hd7870-dc2-2gd5-v2-hd6450-sl-2gd3-l/10225771.aspx?lang=en-CA&pcname=&sku=10225771&path=3f6e68174026337c77f98b9454c386bfen02

 

[avatar33]

Ok update: this problem basically has nothing (or very little) to do with Skyrim. My PC just shut down a minute ago as I was browsing the web, with nothing else but Chrome open!

Today is an abnormally hot day in my city (Calgary, AB) with a temperature of 15 Celsius (59 Fahrenheit) which could be related to the overheating situation. My PC wasn't shutting down as often in the past couple days when it was colder out. It used to shut down only when playing Skyrim. Today it's shutting down even when only browsing the web.

I desperatly need help here. Is there some kind of fan I can purchase? And what are the right settings I should apply here: http://i.imgur.com/VNsqvRn.png ?

 

[de5_Roy]

your gfx card is indeed a passively cooled one (ones without cooling fans). those heat up fast when put under load. regular stress (like gaming) can kill passively cooled cards. those are good for silent htpcs.
you could replace the card since it's heating up that much. you could also try keeping the side of the case open and see if the card cools down or not. or put a table fan facing the card, directly channeling air towards the open case and the card. these are all just temporary solutions to the problem of using incompatible hardware.
you could also try getting an actively cooled gfx card i.e. ones that have cooling fans, like this one -
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121722
although, i highly doubt any standard discreet card will fit your case since even a low profile card can't fit. your case won't fit dual slot cards (very little extra space under (or over?) the pcie x16 slot). your case doesn't have any auxiliary cooling fans either which exacerbates yout heat problem.
basically, your heat problem is due to the fact that your case isn't made to fit a dual slot discreet card. solution would be to either modify the case or get a new one or build a new, better pc for gaming. you can also try getting a new gfx card with active cooling (with cooling fan on the heatsink), but your case might still cause problems.

 

[avatar33]

Suprisingly leaving the case open and putting a small table fan directly pointing at the video card does drop the temperature down to 50.

This seems like an okay solution for now.

I should have bought a card with a fan like the one you recommended de5_roy. I might send this one back and buy the 6570 to try it out.