GPU Intensive work - Overheat?

I've just started doing a lot of Bitcoin Mining using my GPU, but I'm worried I am damaging my card or the fan. Is this the case? The fan is blowing quite loud, and will be doing so 24/7 for weeks on end.

This must be bad?

 

Lets start with, what are your temps while running the program? HWMonitor, GPU-Z, HWInfo32, all of the above work.

It shouldn't be damaging at all if your temps are within their safe operating ranges. Expect a lot more heat, noise from the fans and a higher electricity bill though .

 

What is bitcoin mining? And check your temps with gpuz or hwmoniter. Anything less that 85 is fine.

 

GPU-Z is saying my temp is averaging around 75 Celsius. GPU Temp #3 says 87.5. These sound ridiculously high.

technos, check out http://bitcoin.org/

 

95*C is high, but not even fatal. 100*C+ is where I would sweating. 87.5*C is just fine for 100% usage. Keep GPU-Z minimized in the background and every hour see if the temps are rising. If they continue to rise then I would take notice, but if they plateau at a number, let's say 90*C, then you're good.

Also, you are using a mobile variant. You cannot expect too much. Perhaps a desktop Radeon might have been a better investment if you are serious about bitcoin mining.

 

It won't cause damage to stay at 90*C for weeks on end?

 

People with Sager notebooks & 6990m report low 90's as max temps. Also, temps 1-3 = 1 - core, 2 - vram, 3- vrm temps. I don't own a Radeon, someone correct me if that is wrong. I believe 100*C is the threshold where your notebook will lockup to prevent any physical/hardware damage. As long as you aren't near 100*C, you're fine.

Although, I'm not saying that 90*C is comfortable at all, people like technos have theirs maxing at 75*C. You have to remember, you're doing bitcoin mining, stressing your graphics card at 100%.

I would run a sample test (I.E. leave your notebook bitcoin mining for an extended time (3 hours, then 6, then a whole day, let's say) and then check your temps. The only way to be sure of what your max temps will be is to actually measure them in a real-life situation. I can tell you that 90*C is fine, but what if 3 hours later your GPU hits 100*C and you weren't monitoring and had no clue.

If you are brave, you can repaste your GPU with some quality paste to potentially lower your numbers. Prop up the back of the notebook with cd cases or book, to give the fans more airflow. Buying a cooler might be a good investment for you too. Just some thoughts.

 

ok i just got into this bitcoin mining thing. I am topping out at a mere 71 C
How many mhash are you getting? I'm usually getting around 171mhash/s

EDIT: tweaked settings, now running avg 205 mhash

 

I just mined the whole night, and my temps are still maxing at 77. I just feel like I'm running down the life expectancy of the GPU?

technos, without any overclock I'm getting an average of 195 mh/s

 

That is a common myth. The fact is: GPU life expectancy declines based on higher amounts of cycles of rapid heating and cooling it goes through.

Running it at 95*C for a week could be somewhat harmful, but 77*C? Don't worry about it.