GPU lower initial idle temps

February 14, 2016

I recently applied new Arctic thermal paste to my GPU. Initially, my idle temps were about 30C. Now, about 2 weeks later my idle temps are around 40C. Load temps haven't changed at all staying below 67C.

I'm not worried about these temps, I've had GPU's before that idle at closer to 50C. I was just wondering if it's normal for idle temps to climb after the thermal paste dries out a bit.

GPU is a reference GTX 970.

Thanks.

failblox · February 14, 2016

I've never really heard of something like that happening, but your paste shouldn't be drying out after just two weeks. Arctic thermal paste typically isn't considered that great of a thermal paste by the tech community, but it's not terrible by any means. If the temps keep climbing then I might worry, but for now I wouldn't. That's a perfectly safe idle temp.

Avcoor · February 14, 2016

My GTX970 with the ACX 2.0 idles at 50°C and never passes 71°C under load.

I think you're fine.

February 16, 2016

I figured out what it was. I was tweaking some of my 3D setting in NVidia control panel and had set the power from "adaptive" to "maximum performance". When set to maximum performance, the power doesn't go below 40% which in turn causes the GPU to idle warmer. I set it back to adaptive and power dropped to 11% idle temps returned to normal. Wanted to update this in case it helps someone else with a similar issue.