2yr old Zotac RTX 2070 at 80 Degrees for all games.

[RandyT]

So it seems like no matter what my fan curve is set to or what game im playing, my gpu consistently reaches 80 C. It's never gone above 81, and will sit at 80 for the remainder of the game being run. i would like for it to do... whatever its doing at 80 in order to hover there, but at a lower temp. even with the fans just cranked to 100% on startup, it still gets up there. Is this just how my gpu is meant to perform or is there a way to get to chill out when a game is running? 

[Nathanpete]

You can limit the FPS to you monitor's refresh rate to limit GPU usage, and undervolt to decrease temperature. You are likely just thermal throttling with the ceiling for normal usage being 80C. Strange, unless you GPU is choked for air, but maybe a faulty temperature sensor? Don't bank on the temperature sensor, just throwing a thought out there.

 

You could also actually decrease the power limit in MSI afterburner because this decreases the amount of heat in watts the cooler has to dissipate. 

[RandyT]

3 minutes ago, Nathanpete said:

You can limit the FPS to you monitor's refresh rate to limit GPU usage, and undervolt to decrease temperature. You are likely just thermal throttling with the ceiling for normal usage being 80C. Strange, unless you GPU is choked for air, but maybe a faulty temperature sensor? Don't bank on the temperature sensor, just throwing a thought out there.

 

You could also actually decrease the power limit in MSI afterburner because this decreases the amount of heat in watts the cooler has to dissipate. 

I'll give the FPS sync a shot, im also thinking that due to constant 2yr usage i might need to apply new thermal paste? I recently installed an extra 3 fans  (2 more intake and 1 top exhaust) just in case as well.  

[Nathanpete]

Just now, RandyT said:

I'll give the FPS sync a shot, im also thinking that due to constant 2yr usage i might need to apply new thermal paste? I recently installed an extra 3 fans  (2 more intake and 1 top exhaust) just in case as well.  

You really old need to reapply paste like every 4 years, even under heavy use. Would hurt to take an air compressor and blow out dust though. That could also be the cause.

[narrdarr]

agreed repaste the GPU. and clean it up. 

 

[Alvin853]

81°C is the standard temp target for RTX 2070, so while the temp is below that value, the GPU will boost higher to provide more performance, and reduces the boost once it gets to 80, so it won't overshoot the temp target. 

You can reduce the temp target using tools like Afterburner or even the GeForce Experience Overlay with the latest drivers, but since 81°C is the default value, I would expect these temps to be perfectly safe for long term use.

 

Edit: If you don't need that much performance, you can undervolt/underclock the GPU or lower the temp target to make it boost lower and run cooler, or like others have replied, use VSync so the GPU doesn't render more frames than your screen can actually display, to lower the load on the GPU which should result in lower power usage and thus lower temperatures.

Edited April 16, 2021 by Alvin853
Added additional information