What does "Idle" mean when talking about GPU's?

[TishMcGrish]

I have a GTX 780 TI and many people are talking about "Idle" Temperatures. What exactly does idle mean? Just sitting at the desktop with no programs running or just not any games running? Im very confused. Thanks

 

[i7Baby]

Minimum load, not even gaming. But say browsing or just sitting looking at desktop.

 

[TishMcGrish]

Ok. Im watching a stream on twitch and temp is sitting at 60c. Is this normal for a GTX 780 TI

 

[i7Baby]

For just watching video, that seems a bit warmer than I'd expect.

What make and model gtx780ti is it?

Have you overclocked it at all?

 

[TishMcGrish]

I have it slightly overclocked. It is an EVGA Superclocked. Ill link here

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487001

My clock speeds are
Core:1186mhz
Mem:3648mhz

I have no idea if that sounds accurate but thats what im reading from MSI Kombustor

 

[i7Baby]

That's what's making it warm. And it only has a reference cooler on it.

Have you tested the overclock on Furmark or similar?

 

[TishMcGrish]

Is Furmark a program? Im not really good with PC's. SOrry man

 

[TishMcGrish]

MSI Kombustor? Ive used that

 

[i7Baby]

OK. The idea is to test the overclock. Leave Kombustor running for an hour or more. Watch temps. Max say 80C. If the card doesn't overheat to where it shuts down, then the overclock can be said to be 'stable' ie you can use it all day every day and not worry.