480 overheating on 144Hz/Freesync

[DragonTamer1]

I just helped my friend build a computer and we opted for a 480 over a 1060/1070 because of budget and Freesync support (that extra budget quickly went to a monitor that he didn't need).

 

He has the exact same GPU as me, an XFX RX 480 GTR 1288MHz. My card usually maxes out around 60-65*C in my case with it hitting 70-75 in some games if I turn up certain settings. His card is hitting 85*C in the same games and I know from experience that the fan noise at that temp is going to be outrageous. I'm not worried about the card getting damaged since it is still technically inside the safe threshold but it confuses me how his runs so much hotter.

 

He is using a very budget oriented case ($35 USD) and per my advice has moved the front fan from blowing air into the basement to blowing air towards the GPU. This help a little bit (will need more testing to see how much of a difference) and he is opting to leave the side panel off for better thermals. The only other thing I can think of is that his monitor being a 144Hz is keeping the GPU pegged at 100% load at all times.

 

TL;DR Does a 144Hz Freesync monitor make a GPU run hotter because the GPU would be at 100% load more often?

[samcool55]

With the XFX GTR, no need to worry. It can handle being run at 100% for hours without overheating. 

[Spoderman!!]

3 minutes ago, DragonTamer1 said:

I just helped my friend build a computer and we opted for a 480 over a 1060/1070 because of budget and Freesync support (that extra budget quickly went to a monitor that he didn't need).

 

He has the exact same GPU as me, an XFX RX 480 GTR 1288MHz. My card usually maxes out around 60-65*C in my case with it hitting 70-75 in some games if I turn up certain settings. His card is hitting 85*C in the same games and I know from experience that the fan noise at that temp is going to be outrageous. I'm not worried about the card getting damaged since it is still technically inside the safe threshold but it confuses me how his runs so much hotter.

 

He is using a very budget oriented case ($35 USD) and per my advice has moved the front fan from blowing air into the basement to blowing air towards the GPU. This help a little bit (will need more testing to see how much of a difference) and he is opting to leave the side panel off for better thermals. The only other thing I can think of is that his monitor being a 144Hz is keeping the GPU pegged at 100% load at all times.

 

TL;DR Does a 144Hz Freesync monitor make a GPU run hotter because the GPU would be at 100% load more often?

I'd say it might just be bad thermal paste.

[Coaxialgamer]

From my experience , replacing the stock thermal paste on a gpu can go a long way ( lost 10°C on my 290x when i replaced the stock TIM )

[DragonTamer1]

He's not going to go for a TIM change. He lives on the west coast and I'm on the east. Helping him build his system over skype took 12 hours to complete. No, that's not an exaggeration. He's so scared of breaking a part of his build that he babies it to unnecessary levels. Pulling the cooler off of one of the most expensive parts in his system is something he's not going to be comfortable doing.

 

@Spoderman!! @Coaxialgamer

[ivan134]

The monitor doesn't matter, but spitting out a lot of frames will make a GPU got (this will happen regardless of your monitor). The way around this is to cap your fps. The Long term fix is to get a better case.

[YongKang]

What case is your friend using?

[DragonTamer1]

8 minutes ago, YongKang said:

What case is your friend using?

This piece of crap.

[YongKang]

1 minute ago, DragonTamer1 said:

This piece of crap.

The only thing I would suggest is adding another fan in the front for more airflow. The RX480 XTR has one of the best aftermarket cooler. Other than that, I would suggest capping the framerate for not working the GPU too hard.