Looking for tips to improve cooling

[Forceflow]

Hello,

This is my case, a Corsair Carbide 400C https://imgur.com/FGdKujZ (I've marked the fans for you)

I recently upgraded to a MSI GTX 1070TI Gaming, and notice it's running a little hot (upper 70's) when playing really intensive games (I play at 144 fps, 1080p).

In benchmarks, these card's temps are often lower under load, but I suspect they don't test in such a relatively small case

I'm looking to get some better airflow around the card, since I suspect a lot of hot air gets trapped underneath, but I don't immediately see a better solution.

2 front fans are 700 RPM, the radiator ones go up to 1200 (but seldom do), and the top one is a 700 RPM fan as well.

Any tips?

[STRESSMASTER]

Interesting I see your problem. You have almost no airflow on the fan side of your video card. does the case side have a fan grate you can install a fan in? That would be the cheapest solution. I also seen extension cards that pull inside air out but exhausts out the pci io towards the back of case.

[Forceflow]

11 minutes ago, STRESSMASTER said:

Interesting I see your problem. You have almost no airflow on the fan side of your video card. does the case side have a fan grate you can install a fan in? That would be the cheapest solution. I also seen extension cards that pull inside air out but exhausts out the pci io towards the back of case.

Unfortunately, the side panel is a glass one, like this: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Accessories-|-Parts/PC-Components/Cases/Carbide-400C-Left-Side-Panel-(Window)/p/CC-8930370

 

(I can't for the life of me remember why I opted for that, but I'm stuck with it now)

 

I've seen those little PCI cards with backwards exhaust, but I was always under the impression that they weren't really that good. Any recommendations?

[STRESSMASTER]

6 minutes ago, Forceflow said:

Unfortunately, the side panel is a glass one, like this: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Accessories-|-Parts/PC-Components/Cases/Carbide-400C-Left-Side-Panel-(Window)/p/CC-8930370

 

(I can't for the life of me remember why I opted for that, but I'm stuck with it now)

 

I've seen those little PCI cards with backwards exhaust, but I was always under the impression that they weren't really that good. Any recommendations?

for you particular issue since you can't put a direct outside air fan on that card honestly your best bet is either a exhaust card or maybe put a fan blowing in on that outside of the IO for now just to give you some air flow. remove a couple of IO PCI slot retainers and put a fan there

[Forceflow]

59 minutes ago, STRESSMASTER said:

for you particular issue since you can't put a direct outside air fan on that card honestly your best bet is either a exhaust card or maybe put a fan blowing in on that outside of the IO for now just to give you some air flow. remove a couple of IO PCI slot retainers and put a fan there

Been looking into it, and mounting a PCI exhaust fan would have me adding another cable to that modular PSU, which would have me opening up the shroud, which was a PITA last time (gotta route all those cables back through, it's already cramped). So that's not worth it, atm.

[STRESSMASTER]

3 minutes ago, Forceflow said:

Been looking into it, and mounting a PCI exhaust fan would have me adding another cable to that modular PSU, which would have me opening up the shroud, which was a PITA last time (gotta route all those cables back through, it's already cramped). So that's not worth it, atm.

Molex splitter? just a idea. You may see some benifit just from removing the pci IO slot shields to allow more air. IDK but worth a try if you want to go that route

[Forceflow]

2 minutes ago, STRESSMASTER said:

Molex splitter? just a idea. You may see some benifit just from removing the pci IO slot shields to allow more air. IDK but worth a try if you want to go that route

Splitting off what? The only cable that comes out of the shroud is the one going to the GPU

[STRESSMASTER]

3 minutes ago, Forceflow said:

Splitting off what? The only cable that comes out of the shroud is the one going to the GPU

blaaaaa..... you said modular psu. I missed that. so distracted today.

[STRESSMASTER]

5 minutes ago, Forceflow said:

Splitting off what? The only cable that comes out of the shroud is the one going to the GPU

maybe a mobo fan header instead of directly off the PSU. you can control the fan speed that way than.

[Forceflow]

3 minutes ago, STRESSMASTER said:

maybe a mobo fan header instead of directly off the PSU. you can control the fan speed that way than.

Can't really find any pci exhaust fans with controllable fan speeds

[STRESSMASTER]

https://www.amazon.com/Vantec-SP-FC70-BL-Spectrum-System-Adjustable/dp/B000233ZMU/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1524759621&sr=1-3&keywords=expansion+slot+fan

or get this with it and plug into mobo and have it control through bios.

https://www.amazon.com/Splitter-Molex-headers-CONNECT-MULTIPLE/dp/B009D3HV1Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1524759779&sr=1-1&keywords=molex+to+fan+header+adapter

[WoodenMarker]

That's normal and not hotter than what most people are getting with the same card. You mentioned moving up from a 1060 in a previous thread. The 1070 Ti uses more power and will generate more heat. With similar cooling, it's expected to have higher temps. 

[Forceflow]

Just an update: ended up ordering the exact same card (model and vendor), got one that ran +15 degrees cooler.

So yeah, I don't know if it's a manufacturing error (thermal paste applying) or just luck of the silicon draw, but it *is* worth checking.