m17x r2 7970m heating issues

Problem:

GPU heats up to 90'C and causes thermal shutdown when testing with furmark. The main issue is that the GPU heats up to this temp within 10-20 seconds of running, seems like it heats up faster than what HWinfo64 can keep fans caught up therefore not properly cooling.

Under idle conditions, GPU stays at 30-32'C, when I login to EvE Online and play the temps are between 70-75'C (with max settings, but haven't put though extreme ingame situations yet). Also, HWinfo64 seems to be operating the fans properly according to current temps (fans don't sound like they are bad or off balance).

I am not sure if the heat sink doesn't have enough pressure or not, I haven't tested this yet.

When I did install the GPU, it was manufactured refurbished (only had the card for a week now), so it has fresh new pads and paste on all proper components (I used several guides to verify I had right setup).

When completing the install, I did the duck tape and heatsink screw mods.

If anyone has any suggestions, please share.

Thanks, Nathan

 

You used what? Duct tape? LOL. That's a first.

Please take pictures. I think you need to re-paste and reseat the pads.

 

well not duck tape... its actually electrical tape.

I used the tape to cover the small gaps between the GPU fan and heatsink radiator so the air would not escape. I'll try a repaste, but I did do a visual check of the heatsink on the GPU, didn't see any bending or signs of being off-set. The heatsink and die were flush, as well.

When I get home from work, I am going to open up the laptop and try using furmark again, but while putting light pressure on the heatsink to see if there is not enough pressure on the GPU. I'll take pictures then for ya

 

Furmark is an extremely stressful test and should not be used to measure temperatures or performance. Run Unigine Heaven 4.0 or something to that extent.

 

I did use heaven as well, which I actually used it first (which is when the first thermal shutdown happened). That was my first time ever using heaven so I didn't notice where the temps were for the gpu were right off and because it shutdown from heat I decided to use furmark to see the actual temp that caused the shutdown was the only reason why I used furmark cause I can watch temps from multiple windows at same time. Which is where I came up with the 90'C mark for the thermal shutdown. Since then I have left the GPU alone from any gaming or performance stress until I can get the cooling stabilized.

BTW Dre, thanks for your responses, as I am able to sit here talk with someone about it, its helping me make a list of possibilities. I will do a repaste as your suggest, and I am going to test the pressure of the heatsink on the GPU. If there is anything else you can think of please let me know.

So far.....

Problem: GPU heats up way too fast when put under stress.

Causes: not enough paste used when I first pasted (I say not enough cause I put about the size of a rice grain on the GPU and spread it out to cover the whole die).
(possibility)Cause: not enough pressure between heatsink and GPU card.

Question: what size is the heatsink screws and thread pattern, I do want to replace the original screws that had to have the lock washers reversed on to use the heatsink with the 7970m card.

 

When you did upgrade? Heat issues just started or have been a problem since? If they just started, it's likely just in need of a re-paste.

Also, did you buy a new heat sink? If you had card with a TDP of less than 100W before, your heat sink may not be sufficient enough.

 

Earlier this week, like 3 days ago. I have only just noticed the heat issue as of past day because I have been slowly adding stress to the card (I didn't wont to just jump straight into gaming again until I had a good cooling setup with HWinfo64 and stable temps when under stress).

No, I am using the stock heatsink from my 5870 I use to have. I just took the washers off and placed them back onto the screws so it would provide pressure to the GPU. Which heatsink are you referring to?? I don't know of a 3 pipe heatsink except for in M18X (which is too big to fit in my M17x R2, I found this out when I ordered one and tried to fit it with the old card before I to the 7970m). If there is a mod guide for the 3 pipe heatsink please link for me to read over.

 

Have you tested the heatsink to make sure the heatpipes are in full working order?

 

how do I test the heatsink?

 

Is this the heat sink you have? Does it resemble this? No damage you can see to radiator, etc.?

Spoiler

Right side GPU: New Alienware Video M17x Slave Right Side Heat Sink 4870M 5870M 260M 280M 285M | eBay
Left side GPU: New Alienware Video M17x Master Left Side Heat Sink 4870M 5870M 260M 280M 285M | eBay

These heat sinks were made for 50W cards. The 7970M is 100W. You may have to purchase new ones if yours are damaged.

Resource thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...nother-7970m-m17x-r2-installation-photos.html

I recommend you purchase some IC Diamond thermal paste.

 

Submerge the core contact plate in hot water and check that all heatpipes get hot very quickly and that the fins do too.

 

Yes that is the same heatsink that I have, it is also the stock one from when I received my laptop back in 2010 so I might just replace it since I can still get new ones.

I have been doing some reading and I think it may also have to do with the type of paste I am using, which is arctic silver 5, apparently it takes about 50-200 hours break-in time before it reaches optimal performance. So I am probably going to get some IC Diamond paste instead as you recommend.

thanks for the links Dre!!

 

I'll give this a try, but I am probably just going to replace my stock heatsink with a new one since Dre was awesome and linked some new ones for sale on ebay. I'll still do this test once I get a new one in so if it is still good I'll have a back up.

Thanks for your replies btw

 

Yeah, no problem man. Happy to help. Good luck.

I added some "search tags" to your thread (at the bottom) so others can find it when they search. :thumbsup:

 

I think your paste job sucks (the one you described you did) also the paste you used is not that good. Repaste with ICD, and use more than a grain of rice, more like the size of 2 grains (better to have a little to much then not enough), and do not spread it out yourself, allow the plate to spread it as you tighten down the plate in the correct order.

 

Had similar issues with my 7970m hitting 90C the other day. From memory when I first got the 7970m max was 74C.

So I opened her up yesterday gently...LOL
And I cleaned the fans and grilles for the GPU and she sweet now.
Max under load 74C.

I would recommend using OSD for playing games so as to monitor your temps. Once they go over a limit time to clean inside
Good luck.

 

just got my new pads and IC diamond paste.... just did used furmark after repasting with ic diamond and the new pads .... got a max temp of 69'C with avg fps of 46 and ah score of 2803. Just seeing the max temp of 69'C with furmark burn in test makes me happy.... so it turns out that artic silver 5 SUCKS!!! and IC DIAMOND is the BEST!!! cause this is a dramatic improvement.

Thanks all that has posted to the thread...this helped me look at all possibilities, even the ones that I didn't see couldn't have figured it out without the help of yall at NBR!! :thumbsup:

 

I've managed to get my temps on my 7970m down to 59c max by modifying the m18x r2 7970m triple pipe heat sink to fit into the m17x r2