What is the best way to cool my GPU?

[Elf_Knight]

Hi guys! So recently I got the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO to cool my cpu: The i5 4690k and it works like charm. I'm not overclocking anything at the moment cause I don't have the power to do so. However I wanted to cool my gpu as well cause it gets quite hot sometimes at 75 degrees! I was wondering what is the safest, cheapest, and best way to cool it? Does an AIO closed loop liquid cooler cool both the cpu and gpu or just the cpu? I already got an air cooler for my cpu so I need something for my graphics card. If I get more fans for my case would that cool it down? Could I get a liquid radiator just for my graphics card? I don't want to do liquid cooling cause that is too expensive and I might upgrade my motherboard later on. Plus I don't know how much room I have in my case: the fractal design core 2300. Any thoughts on what I should do?

Many thanks in advance!!

 

[Gallarian]

First of all, what GPU do you have?

Most modern GPUs are capable of running up to 100°C before turning themselves off to avoid damage. If you have anything from the last 3 years, 75°C is absolutely nothing to worry about if thats the maximum it gets to.

As for ways of cooling a GPU; it will already have its own cooling system built in, featuring a heat sink, thermal compound and fans and will not need any additional solutions to run as intended. That said, you have two options; either decrease the temperature inside your case with better airflow, or watercool the GPU itself.

As watercooling is not an option, your left with decreasing your system temp (again though, 75°C is nothing to worry about so only do this if you have time and money going spare).

To do this:

1) Ensure you have good cable management in your case as to avoid any air flow restrictions*

2) Have at least one front intake fan, and one rear exhaust fan, though preferable 2 intake and 1 exhaust for positive air pressure.

3) Ensure your system is placed off the floor if possible and not in an enclosed space (i.e. not tucked away in cupboard or under a cluttered desk).

4) If the system backs on to a wall, make sure it has a gap of at least 4 inches to allow the air being exhausted out the back of your case to properly diffuse out.

5) Clean all fans to remove any dust build up.

*before someone else links the videos that Linus has done recently; I know that cable management has a very minimal impact on system temps - but what it does do, is reduce dust build up and make the system easier to clean, which DOES have an impact.

_____

To answer your AIO question; you can get AIOs for both the CPU and GPU separately, and there are a couple of ones you can get that do both at the same time, such as the 'Hunter Duet' from ID-COOLING.

 

[Elf_Knight]

First of all, what GPU do you have?

Most modern GPUs are capable of running up to 100°C before turning themselves off to avoid damage. If you have anything from the last 3 years, 75°C is absolutely nothing to worry about if thats the maximum it gets to.

As for ways of cooling a GPU; it will already have its own cooling system built in, featuring a heat sink, thermal compound and fans and will not need any additional solutions to run as intended. That said, you have two options; either decrease the temperature inside your case with better airflow, or watercool the GPU itself.

As watercooling is not an option, your left with decreasing your system temp (again though, 75°C is nothing to worry about so only do this if you have time and money going spare).

To do this:

1) Ensure you have good cable management in your case as to avoid any air flow restrictions*

2) Have at least one front intake fan, and one rear exhaust fan, though preferable 2 intake and 1 exhaust for positive air pressure.

3) Ensure your system is placed off the floor if possible and not in an enclosed space (i.e. not tucked away in cupboard or under a cluttered desk).

4) If the system backs on to a wall, make sure it has a gap of at least 4 inches to allow the air being exhausted out the back of your case to properly diffuse out.

5) Clean all fans to remove any dust build up.

*before someone else links the videos that Linus has done recently; I know that cable management has a very minimal impact on system temps - but what it does do, is reduce dust build up and make the system easier to clean, which DOES have an impact.

_____

To answer your AIO question; you can get AIOs for both the CPU and GPU separately, and there are a couple of ones you can get that do both at the same time, such as the 'Hunter Duet' from ID-COOLING.

Sorry I thought I posted my gpu. It is the Nvidia GTX 970 4gb. At idle it runs about 35 degrees approx and gets higher during gameplay. I don't know what the highest it is.

 

[Gallarian]

A 970? Nvidia state that a 970's maximum temperature is a whopping 98°C.

An idle temp of ~35°C is perfectly normal, and I would be very surprised if your full load temp was above 85°C.

In conclusion then, your GPU temps are perfectly safe and no additional cooling is needed, though if you follow my list posted above, it wont hurt