Forum Home
Press F1
 
Thread ID: 129042 2013-01-30 05:00:00 Overheating Graphics Card pepper2 (8629) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1325633 2013-01-30 05:00:00 I recently have had the monitor shutting down for no apparent reason when using streaming video.
I have concluded that a possible reason was the graphics card overheating because the case was very hot close to where the card is installed.
I consequently installed Afterburner and that has confirmed the overheating. Starts at about 60 degrees and rapidly rises when running a video download.

Afterburner seems to have no ability to monitor fan speed or allow access as far as I can tell.

The Graphics card is a Nividia Geforce 315
The computer is Acer Aspire AX3950 with Intel Core I3 and 4Gb RAM Windows 7

I know that the room temperature is high at present but this problem started before the current high temperatures prevailed.

I have looked up the information on the web and as far as I can deduce the card is cooled by a fan. I do not know if the card has a fan control chip.
What I want to know is "How can I determine if the fan is actually working"?

Thank you
pepper2 (8629)
1325634 2013-01-30 05:09:00 assuming it is a normal desktop computer, open the side panel of the case and see if the fan is spinning but if it is an all in one or something along those lines then it may be more difficult. Some more info on the computer you have would be helpful. Slankydudl (16687)
1325635 2013-01-30 06:57:00 As said already, open the case and have a look at the fan while the computer is running.

If not, check to see if there is dust clogging it up. Is the fan connection on securely... it may have been knocked by someone while doing something else inside the case.

If you can't see the fan, try holding your hand out flat and putting it close (but not touching) to the cooling fins or heatsink and see if you can detect a slightly cooler breeze.

Otherwise it may be time to check out aftermarket cooling solutions for your graphics card... or a new card. But do not keep running the card if it keeps overheating.
Myth (110)
1325636 2013-01-30 07:36:00 www.cpuid.com
Generally covers various temperatures and fan speeds.
KarameaDave (15222)
1325637 2013-01-30 08:21:00 More information on my computer systems as requested. It is a desktop machine with a smaller case size.
Processor Intel i3 CPU 540 @ 3.07 ghz
Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 315
Gaming Graphics 2267 MB available graphics memory
Primary Hard disk 404GB Free
Manufacturer Acer
model Aspire X3950
Total amount of system memory 4.00 GB
System Type 64 bit
number of processor cores 2

Graphics
display adapter type Nvidia Geforce 315
total available graphics memory 2267 MB
Dedicated graphics memory 512 MB
Dedicated system memory 0 MB
shared system memory 1755 MB
duisplay adapter version 8.17.12.8026
Primary monitor resolution 1600x900
DirectX version DirectX 10

I have used a compressed air can to remove dust from the inside of the case on at least 2 occasions.
I cannot feel any air escaping from the cooling vents and I am sure that the fan is not operating because it does not disturb a cotton hanging in front of it.

I will take the cover off tomorrow and check cables, etc in the daylight.

If I do decide to replace the card do you have any suggested replacements?

Thank you
pepper2 (8629)
1325638 2013-01-30 08:39:00 Is the nVidia 315 a fanless card? icow (15313)
1325639 2013-01-30 10:12:00 www.geforce.com

www.google.co.nz

You may need a low-profile card to fit in that case (this one is silent/fanless).
www.ascent.co.nz
feersumendjinn (64)
1325640 2013-01-30 23:36:00 Hi folks

I have just removed and replaced the Video Card (Graphics card)

It has a fan which is still not working and the temperature rises sharply when I run graphics intensive pages or video.
Right now it is sitting on 90 degrees
There are no cables just direct connection to the motherboard in a slot.

It looks like a new graphics card if i can find a compatible one - any ideas?
Thank you
pepper2 (8629)
1325641 2013-01-31 00:20:00 As suggested in previous post.

www.ascent.co.nz

Also, that system may have on board graphics you could use instead.
Driftwood (5551)
1325642 2013-02-01 02:41:00 Thank you for all the replies received.
The problem is now solved - I purchased and put in a new card. Which is also an upgrade from the old one.
The temperature is now running at about 50 degrees and I can feel the draught from the fan.
Thanks again folks
pepper2 (8629)
1