Heat problems with 4870x2 - Hardware & Software

So I've been happy with my 4870x2 for almost a year now, and it hasn't given me much trouble, but I've noticed that it has been running hotter and hotter over the past few months. It idles at about 50C, and it's gotten so bad that it will get to over 100C while playing games, even with 100% fan speed on. I'm starting to get artifacts when it gets to around 108C. It never used to get this hot, so I though the thermal paste might be getting too old. I replaced the thermal paste last night, but the temperatures didn't budge. I've also considered buying a new cooler for it, but that would be a last ditch effort. So I come to you, Facepunch. What can I do?

what case, sounds like you have very little airflow through your case.

Antec 900, I've had it longer than my graphics card, so I doubt that's the problem.

dust?

No, I dusted out the case about 2 weeks ago, and I dusted out the graphics card when re-applying the thermal paste.

My brand new 4850 in a brand new HAF 932 idles at 46C without touching any of the overclocks, so your idle doesn't seem too bad. However, those load temps sound a bit high.

[QUOTE=Watevaman;17518081]My brand new 4850 in a brand new HAF 932 idles at 46C without touching any of the overclocks, so your idle doesn't seem too bad. [/QUOTE] Yeah, but my fan speed is at 100%.

It idles at 50c? That's cooler than average x2s. My single idles at 76c

if u have the space, put more fans in the case... i'm kind of a freak about keeping things cool... i have a total of 10 fans in my case. my CPU (AMD 7750) runs at about 20c with a load, and my 4890 runs 46c on idle and 60 with a heavy load. but yeah, fans are pretty cheap, and make sure you blow all the dust out of anywhere there is airflow. air compressors work best, but you can use a can if you have to. good luck.

you can't just "put a fan in", you can only put fans where there's places (unless you make the holes and shit yourself) and good airflow is far more effective than just chucking tons of air everywhere

[QUOTE=TheMadness;17522893]you can't just "put a fan in", you can only put fans where there's places (unless you make the holes and shit yourself) and good airflow is far more effective than just chucking tons of air everywhere[/QUOTE] that's what i mean

There's no more space for fans, but it has plenty. The case has remained the same and yet my graphics card has gradually gotten hotter, so I think it's just the graphics card. I'm in the process of trying to get a refund of some sort.

Hmm, my 48701GB idles at 78c, and it's new (1 month) - also, CCC fan speed won't go higher than 21%. At first I though it was just the temperature it's meant to run at, but this seems a little too varied. Think I should RMA it, or what? [editline]12:00PM[/editline] Solved using RivaTuner.

Add this to your 4870x2: [url]http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9011/vid-125/Arctic_Cooling_Accelero_XTREME_4870X2_VGA_Cooler_ATI_Radeon_HD4870X2.html?tl=g40c21s65#blank[/url]

[QUOTE=Quantuam VTX;17530408]Add this to your 4870x2: [url]http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9011/vid-125/Arctic_Cooling_Accelero_XTREME_4870X2_VGA_Cooler_ATI_Radeon_HD4870X2.html?tl=g40c21s65#blank[/url][/QUOTE] Only problem is, with the first shipments of that cooler, Artic Cooling forget to include 8 screws in the package. [QUOTE] We noticed that the original screws are not long enough to mount the X-plate when installing the Accelero XTREME 4870X2. To solve the problem, we recommend replacing the original ones with eight regular 8mm M2 counter sink screws which are long enough for re-installing the X-plates with the cooler. Please send us your address to [email]freezer@arctic-cooling.com[/email] and we will send you eight pieces of these M2 screws free of charge. Alternatively, you could buy the screws in the market as it is a standard M2x8 counter sink screw. The screws will be sent from Hong Kong by normal airmail and will take about 14 days for delivery. Please take note of the new Installation Instructions[/QUOTE] from Artic Cooling's website.

If that could fix my heating problems then the last thing I care about is that I have to buy some screws for it.

[QUOTE=Quantuam VTX;17530408]Add this to your 4870x2: [url]http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9011/vid-125/Arctic_Cooling_Accelero_XTREME_4870X2_VGA_Cooler_ATI_Radeon_HD4870X2.html?tl=g40c21s65#blank[/url][/QUOTE] I've thought about it, but I shouldn't have to spend money in order to keep this thing running properly. I'm trying to get it replaced.

My 4890 idles at 60, but maxes at ~70. I have no idea how you're going from 50 to 100.