CPU Temps while playing games.

steelystan · 06-27-2008, 10:11 AM

What is considered a high temp while playing a game on the highest settings?

I know it's a vague question but it's all I can think of to ask. I recently upgraded my system with a 1000 W PSU and a 2nd 8800GT and my temps reach, at the highest, 58 C while playing a game like Vanguard with the setting turned almost all the way up (everything but Anisotropic filtering is maxed). I've been using RealTemp to log my temps before and after playing a game and usually my temps are as follows (on average):
30-36 C idle/surfing
49-58 C while gaming

Any info or opinions would be great.

**manic** · 06-27-2008, 11:01 AM

Doesnt seem super high to me. What type of processor? If its a
prescott thats about normal. Post more system specs...What type
of fan arrangement do you have?

steelystan · 06-27-2008, 11:21 AM

Alright here are my specs: (this is all by memory since I'm at work and can't find my spec sheet that I created)

eVGA 680i Mobo
Intel Q6600 2.4ghz
4gb Corsair XMS 2 x 2GB @ 800
SILVERSTONE OP1000 1000W ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V
2x XFX 8800GT 512mb SLI
150 GB WD Raptor
640 GB WD Caviar
ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT 110mm 2 Ball Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler

Case:
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

When I upgraded to the 1000w PSU I had to rig my top fan because the PSU covered the slot it used to fit into, but it still blows air up and out the top of the case. I've got 3 fans in the front (1 120mm w/case and 2 smaller ones I rigged) 2 in the back, and one blowing air from the 2 video cards toward the top. The case came with 4 fans and I added 3.

**manic** · 06-27-2008, 11:38 AM

The ones in the front are drawing air in, correct?
The ones in the back Are sucking the hot air out?
Those temps dont freak me out that much, as long as your
not locking up or anything. If you have a fan on the side of the
case you may try playing with it. Normally the fan sucks hot air
out. Due to the two video cards you may try turning that fan around
so it sucks air in, which is usually in the area of the cpu, and should
hit the video cards. I did that once with a 2.8 prescott cpu, the
fan would acutally blow directly toward the zalman heatsink.
My temp dropped about 3 degress doing that...

steelystan · 06-27-2008, 11:52 AM

I'll have to try turning that fan around. It's actually just zip tied to the case near the GFX cards so it's more or less just circulating air (or at least that's my theory). Another thing I'm worried about is that once my 1000 W PSU was installed I had a really hard time getting all the wires structured for best airflow.

I've been wanting to overclock my CPU but I'm thinking it's a bad idea since my temps are already somewhat high. I've read a little into water cooling but I can't seem to find a good setup for a reasonable price. Any suggestions?

**manic** · 06-27-2008, 12:03 PM

Anybody Ive known that has dealt with it, switched back. I helped
a friend of mine install water cooling on his pc. What a nightmare.
Everytime you turned around, you were grinding our cutting something
on the case to get it to fit. We got it to work, but was not impressed
with the temps, mold eventually clogged up the impeller and he
switched everything back. Im sure there are some great setups,
but I cannot recommend one...
If you do it dont plan on going on the cheap side, you get what you
pay for, as with anything..

steelystan · 06-27-2008, 12:11 PM

That's very true. I've heard that from a lot of different people who use water cooling: the temps don't go down enough for the money/time it takes to get it up and running.

Well thanks a lot for the advice. I'm going to try tweaking the fan direction a little and restructuring my PSU wires for better flow.

06-27-2008, 10:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
steelystan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit	CPU Temps while playing games. What is considered a high temp while playing a game on the highest settings? I know it's a vague question but it's all I can think of to ask. I recently upgraded my system with a 1000 W PSU and a 2nd 8800GT and my temps reach, at the highest, 58 C while playing a game like Vanguard with the setting turned almost all the way up (everything but Anisotropic filtering is maxed). I've been using RealTemp to log my temps before and after playing a game and usually my temps are as follows (on average): 30-36 C idle/surfing 49-58 C while gaming Any info or opinions would be great.

06-27-2008, 11:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
manic Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 3,263 OS: xp	Re: CPU Temps while playing games. Doesnt seem super high to me. What type of processor? If its a prescott thats about normal. Post more system specs...What type of fan arrangement do you have? __________________

06-27-2008, 11:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
steelystan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit	Re: CPU Temps while playing games. Alright here are my specs: (this is all by memory since I'm at work and can't find my spec sheet that I created) eVGA 680i Mobo Intel Q6600 2.4ghz 4gb Corsair XMS 2 x 2GB @ 800 SILVERSTONE OP1000 1000W ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V 2x XFX 8800GT 512mb SLI 150 GB WD Raptor 640 GB WD Caviar ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT 110mm 2 Ball Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler Case: Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case When I upgraded to the 1000w PSU I had to rig my top fan because the PSU covered the slot it used to fit into, but it still blows air up and out the top of the case. I've got 3 fans in the front (1 120mm w/case and 2 smaller ones I rigged) 2 in the back, and one blowing air from the 2 video cards toward the top. The case came with 4 fans and I added 3.

06-27-2008, 11:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
manic Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 3,263 OS: xp	Re: CPU Temps while playing games. The ones in the front are drawing air in, correct? The ones in the back Are sucking the hot air out? Those temps dont freak me out that much, as long as your not locking up or anything. If you have a fan on the side of the case you may try playing with it. Normally the fan sucks hot air out. Due to the two video cards you may try turning that fan around so it sucks air in, which is usually in the area of the cpu, and should hit the video cards. I did that once with a 2.8 prescott cpu, the fan would acutally blow directly toward the zalman heatsink. My temp dropped about 3 degress doing that... __________________

06-27-2008, 11:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
steelystan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit	Re: CPU Temps while playing games. I'll have to try turning that fan around. It's actually just zip tied to the case near the GFX cards so it's more or less just circulating air (or at least that's my theory). Another thing I'm worried about is that once my 1000 W PSU was installed I had a really hard time getting all the wires structured for best airflow. I've been wanting to overclock my CPU but I'm thinking it's a bad idea since my temps are already somewhat high. I've read a little into water cooling but I can't seem to find a good setup for a reasonable price. Any suggestions?

06-27-2008, 12:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
manic Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 3,263 OS: xp	Re: CPU Temps while playing games. Anybody Ive known that has dealt with it, switched back. I helped a friend of mine install water cooling on his pc. What a nightmare. Everytime you turned around, you were grinding our cutting something on the case to get it to fit. We got it to work, but was not impressed with the temps, mold eventually clogged up the impeller and he switched everything back. Im sure there are some great setups, but I cannot recommend one... If you do it dont plan on going on the cheap side, you get what you pay for, as with anything.. __________________

06-27-2008, 12:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
steelystan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit	Re: CPU Temps while playing games. That's very true. I've heard that from a lot of different people who use water cooling: the temps don't go down enough for the money/time it takes to get it up and running. Well thanks a lot for the advice. I'm going to try tweaking the fan direction a little and restructuring my PSU wires for better flow.