Used GPU - testing and thermal paste application?

[RapidDevil]

Hi All,

 

I've just got myself a GTX 1060, used and will be about 6 years old or so now. Firstly I was wondering what software you'd recommend to to put it through it's paces and ensure it's working as it should? I'm not a heavy gamer so I don't have any AAA titles to do that kind of test. I've seen Furmark crop up a few times, is that the way to go? I'll fire up GPU-Z to make sure the bios is good. 

 

Also due to the age of the card, is the consensus that it's wise to re-apply thermal paste in this situation? The card is a zotac and I know they can run a bit hot from time to time. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

[YoungBlade]

I'd run whatever applications you have that you're actually going to use with the GPU, so if you're getting it to play Fortnite, play a few rounds of Fortnite and see what the thermals show. If you don't want to risk it crashing in game, set up a custom training match or watch some replays instead. While the game is going, have something like RTSS that comes with Afterburner to see what the thermals and clocks look like.

 

If I remember correctly, Pascal (1000 series) throttles at 83C, so as long as you are below that, you shouldn't see your clocks dropping too much.

 

If you are seeing higher thermals than you're comfortable with, you can try repasting. Make sure you cover the entire GPU die with paste using a spreader, and try to use a non-conductive thermal paste if possible in case some leaks over the sides. Make sure that none of the thermal pads over the VRMs or memory tear if any are present - if they do, you'll probably need to replace them. Also, while the card is disassembled, that would be a good time to use some canned air on the heatsink and other components.

[Radium_Angel]

I just re-pasted my first video card (a 1060 6gb) and it was a walk in the park. Also cut operating temps by 15 degrees as the old paste was dry as concrete dust. Made a huge differnce.

[RapidDevil]

2 hours ago, YoungBlade said:

I'd run whatever applications you have that you're actually going to use with the GPU, so if you're getting it to play Fortnite, play a few rounds of Fortnite and see what the thermals show. If you don't want to risk it crashing in game, set up a custom training match or watch some replays instead. While the game is going, have something like RTSS that comes with Afterburner to see what the thermals and clocks look like.

 

If I remember correctly, Pascal (1000 series) throttles at 83C, so as long as you are below that, you shouldn't see your clocks dropping too much.

 

If you are seeing higher thermals than you're comfortable with, you can try repasting. Make sure you cover the entire GPU die with paste using a spreader, and try to use a non-conductive thermal paste if possible in case some leaks over the sides. Make sure that none of the thermal pads over the VRMs or memory tear if any are present - if they do, you'll probably need to replace them. Also, while the card is disassembled, that would be a good time to use some canned air on the heatsink and other components.

Thanks. It's mainly a work PC with some light gaming on the side. At the moment I'm very busy with work so I don't plan on starting any games soon (I daren't in fact!). Is there any recommended software that i could just put it through? As it may be several months before I get into a big gaming session I just want to avoid getting to that point down the line without stressing the GPU and then realising there's a problem when it's too late. I'm sure it will be fine but you get my drift.

[YoungBlade]

1 hour ago, RapidDevil said:

Thanks. It's mainly a work PC with some light gaming on the side. At the moment I'm very busy with work so I don't plan on starting any games soon (I daren't in fact!). Is there any recommended software that i could just put it through? As it may be several months before I get into a big gaming session I just want to avoid getting to that point down the line without stressing the GPU and then realising there's a problem when it's too late. I'm sure it will be fine but you get my drift.

Heaven and Furmark are usually the two preferred free stress tests. Heaven is nice because it's more realistic to the load the card will get in an actual game. Furmark is very much a synthetic test, but it puts heavy strain on the GPU.

 

Load up GPU-Z or Afterburner and have one of those running in windowed mode. See what the thermals look like and whether or not there's any artifacting or crashing. If you don't have much free time, you can just leave one of them running for a half hour or so and come back to see if anything has crashed or if the card's temperature has gone too far. Ideally, a card should be able to run something like Heaven indefinitely.

[RapidDevil]

On 1/13/2023 at 8:41 PM, YoungBlade said:

Heaven and Furmark are usually the two preferred free stress tests. Heaven is nice because it's more realistic to the load the card will get in an actual game. Furmark is very much a synthetic test, but it puts heavy strain on the GPU.

 

Load up GPU-Z or Afterburner and have one of those running in windowed mode. See what the thermals look like and whether or not there's any artifacting or crashing. If you don't have much free time, you can just leave one of them running for a half hour or so and come back to see if anything has crashed or if the card's temperature has gone too far. Ideally, a card should be able to run something like Heaven indefinitely.

Well, I let Heaven put it through it's paces for about 45 minutes. GPU ran perfectly and pretty much constantly at 82c, with a peak at 83 for a very short time. This was on ultra 1080p.

 

From what I've read this Zotac can run a bit hot as normal and I think target temp for Heaven is around 80c? 

 

If this were yours would you reapply thermal paste? It's hard to know what difference it will make but if it's likely I'll give it a go! 

 

Cheers.

[RapidDevil]

Edit: ambient room temp for the above test was 22c and side panel of case was off.

 

Also welcome others' opinions on whether I should repaste!

 

TIA.