Upgrading pre-built PC, GPU Heating rapidly

[sfsean04]

Hello, my name is Sean and My GPU is heating up extremely fast as of about a month ago; booting up a relatively recent game (Path of Exile, Subnautica, Doom etc), and within playing for roughly 10 minutes the video card's temp is reaching 82-84 C, and hitting 91C and higher after around 20+ minutes. Room temperature is around 71-73 F and fan speeds are 50%-80% during gaming/heavy loads. This is still happening after I cleaned out the dust from the tower and the fans and heatsinks.

A year ago it was getting nowhere near that hot, much less that hot that fast. I bought a pre-built PC a couple years ago from Lenovo: (https://www3.lenovo.com/us/en/desktops/erazer/x-series/x315/), and all the original components are still inside, none of the hardware has been changed. Just the software has been updated to the recent drivers (bios still need updating but I've never done that myself).

I've done a small amount of research so far, and I know applying thermal paste would be a good idea, as well as a new fan to help with the cooling. However I am going to have to replace the card relatively soon anyways considering it's already rather obsolete for gaming. But to do that I'm likely going to have to replace the PSU to be on the safe side so that a newer card won't be stripping too much power.

I am currently looking at https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-SuperNOVA-PLATINUM-Warranty-220-P2-0650-X1/dp/B010HWDPKW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530055778&sr=8-1&keywords=evga+-+supernova+p2+650w+80%2B+platinum for my power supply upgrade.
As well as https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M5BQRIO/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza?th=1 for the video card once the PSU is upgraded.

Current budget is ~100$ for power supply, and $250 for the video card. I can alott another $55-60 for an extra fan if necessary as well.

The power supply should comfortably handle that newer video card (eventually I'll replace the processor as well but I didn't think that would be as immediately necessary as the other items right now), but I'm not sure about its compatibility with the motherboard. Are there any other considerations I overlooked before I start replacing and upgrading parts? The last thing I want to do is short something out or fry a component due to oversight, I don't have a ton of experience with this as of yet. Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated before I start to invest in upgrades.

Thank you much.

 

[volkgren]

Looks like you might need a blower fan style GPU to exhaust the hot air outside your case. Does your case have a front fan?

Your CPU will hold you back just about as much as your GPU.

This would be much better than the PSU & GPU you picked, even though your CPU will limit the GPU it will be better for you after you upgrade (and before). https://pcpartpicker.com/list/sNqXD8

Or this one with the EVGA GTX 1060 6GB SC because it has a bigger/better cooler to keep it cool. https://pcpartpicker.com/list/NVW77h

But do know that there's not really a better CPU to upgrade on your current motherboard socket. You will basically have to build everything else CPU/Mobo/RAM when you decide to do that.

 

[sfsean04]

Thank you for the quick reply. To answer your question about the front fan, you mean on the front of the tower I'm guessing? If thats the question then no, it's just the stock fans on the GPU, the CPU heatsink, and the PSU.

One thing I did want to ask while I'm here is about installing the PSU. I've done a PSU install once before many years ago and can barely remember the process other than just feeding the cords into the proper sockets. Since I'm doing a self-install, once the items you suggested arrive I can just plug and play I'm assuming (after driver updates of course)? With those 2 items I shouldn't need an additional fan since the GPU overheating issue should be fixed? Also I noticed you chose the GPU with one fan as opposed to the option with 2 (SSC2): are the 2 fans on the GPU unnecessary? Sorry for the questions but I'm trying to learn this before I start investing and learning from trial and error.

 

[volkgren]

Uninstall your current GPU driver using DDU https://www.guru3d.com/files-details/display-driver-uninstaller-download.html

Then remove your old parts and install the new parts, along with the latest driver from Nvidia.

I chose the single fan because it was shorter and I wasn't sure how much room you have in your case.

Do notice though (you can't really see it, you'll just have to take my word) I owned the EVGA GTX 1060 6GB SC after returning the EVGA GTX 1060 3GB (non SC) and the SC version has a much better cooler on it that keeps it plenty cool enough. Now, the Zotac Mini does not have a large cooler.

The SSC would be as good as or better than the SC if you can fit it in your case (length-wise).

Most gaming PCs have both intake and exhaust case fans. You say you don't have any case fans? Are there slots for case fans? I would recommend having at least 2 case fans; 1 intake and 1 exhaust.

 

[sfsean04]

I had to check the tower, it looks like there is a smaller intake fan on the lower portion of the tower. https://www.pcmag.com/media/images/375776-lenovo-erazer-x315-interior.jpg you can see the black fan on the bottom right of the internals of the tower. I opened my tower and had my personal room fan blowing on the GPU the other day to see if it made a difference, wasn't a noticeable improvement. Still, the way the tower is setup doesn't seem to have enough airflow. And with the size of the mobo and tower right now, I dont think one of the stronger and effective fans will fit inside, even without getting the larger GPU with 2 fans.

 

[volkgren]

Looks like you didn't have both intake and exhaust case fans.

You're GPU probably just needs new thermal paste. I've explained about a GPU upgrade and your CPU. So I suppose it's up to you as to what you want to do.