GPU temps for HTPC

Powarusuki · June 24, 2019

Hey guys,

I'm working on an HTPC build that's going pretty well, but now I'm trying to achieve lower temps wherever I can - it's already in a usable state but if I can swap out some hardware to make it cooler I'd be more than happy to do so. It's a mini ITX build using a Cooler Master Elite 130 case which is dimensioned in a way where it can accommodate a full-sized GPU. Because of this I ended up slotting an old GPU I had around in it for now, which was a Sapphire R9 380X. It's a pretty long card that takes up the entire side of the case but it still fits. Now, I'm curious if swapping it out for a low profile card would be beneficial to temps. Specifically I was eyeballing an MSI-branded 1050ti LP card.

I understand that because LP cards have smaller dimensions they can't accommodate the larger fans that a full sized GPU could, but I'm thinking the lower wattage and extra room to breathe in the case might provide more than I would lose by switching to smaller fans. Any thoughts?

TL;DR - If I want lower temps in a cramped case should I stick with a full size GPU that has two large fans or switch to an LP GPU with smaller fans but less power consumption and a smaller footprint?

Thanks!

flibberdipper · June 24, 2019

Obviously lower power cards dump less heat, the size of the cooler means nothing to how warm the case will get.

And I will say, half height cards tend to be on the loud side. I have MSI's LP 1050Ti and I ended up yanking the stock fan assembly off and bodging another fan on. It went from being the loudest thing in my system to the quietest (while still running at the same temps). You can see the bodgery here.

Powarusuki · June 24, 2019

44 minutes ago, flibberdipper said:

Obviously lower power cards dump less heat, the size of the cooler means nothing to how warm the case will get.

And I will say, half height cards tend to be on the loud side. I have MSI's LP 1050Ti and I ended up yanking the stock fan assembly off and bodging another fan on. It went from being the loudest thing in my system to the quietest (while still running at the same temps). You can see the bodgery here.

Thanks for letting me know - that's kind of what I was thinking. Like lower power consumption would just equate lower temps all around but I saw some old forum posts that made me feel like I should ask first.