Mobility 5870 too HOT!?

Just picked up an MSI GX740-434us.

I know there is a lot of info on the web about a VBIOS update to fix heat issues on this model, but that did not help my case.

The frequency does throttle down when idle (405 compared to 700) and the fan does throttle up under load (30% to 100%).

A few minutes of benchmarking or gaming bring GPU temp above 100 C (verified same temp from GPU-Z, CCC, MSI Afterburner and HW Monitor).

Since it's under warranty, I just sucked it up and stressed the thing to see what would happen...Temps max around 105 - 108 C, never seen it pass that point.

THE THING IS, exhaust is only warm to the touch, no stuttering, artifacting, shutdown, blue screen or anything else to indicate overheating. This after a session of benchmarking (Furmark) and gaming (Metro 2033, BFBC2, Witcher 2) lasting about 2 hours.

I would have thought the card could not last very long without some sort of issue if it really was running at almost 110 C. Thinking maybe a bad temp sensor? Also considered bad application of thermal paste.

Either way I am covered and can RMA, but I was just looking to see if anyone had opinions for me on what might be the cause of this issue.

Thank you!

 

110C is indeed too hot. Bad thermal paste or dust clogged heatsinks are the most likely culprits.

 

Thanks for the reply,

How long do you think the card could run at those temps though? Before you would see artifacting, stuttering, etc. etc.

 

Doesn't matter, you need to get it fixed. My 5870 running at the clocks in my sig only gets to around 77C while gaming.

If the exhaust doesn't feel hot then it means the thermal paste is not applied correctly and there is not enough heat being transferred to the heatsink.

 

The unit will shutdown if it hits temps too high to prevent damage, you still need to get it fixed though. The 5870 in my G73 hits around the same temps as bearclaw and mine is running at higher voltages.

 

Thank you both for the repliesm

Bearclaw - I read many of your comments while researching this purchase (very similar specs). Thanks for those as well.

Please let me be more clear though, yes of course I agree the laptop needs to be RMAd and replaced.

I am just wondering though, shouldn't it have shut off well before that 108 C? Especially after an extended period of time. It just seems unlikely to me that that is an accurate reading.

 

Some GPUs shut down till 115C.

You need to clean it good, and even repaste it if needed. Those temps are just too high.

 

99% sure this voids my warranty? I read somewhere I'm allowed to take the first sticker off if needed access HDD/RAM, but I'm assuming there would be another covering the GPU. Would love to do the fix myself...not worth the warranty though.

 

just rma dont repaste.

 

You're still covered send it to them, it's safer. If they can change the paste with ICD7 better.
100c+ while gaming is hot. I play games at stock paste and temp. would be around 75c - 80/82c.

 

Don't redo the thermal paste yourself on the off chance that that isn't the issue; then you will have trouble sending it back for an RMA. Just return it and utilize the warranty that you paid for. It sounds like there might be too much or not enough thermal paste, although temperatures THAT high might have some other issue behind them such as a heatsink that isn't attached firmly enough.

 

Hey there,

I spoke to MSI yesterday and they informed me that I am within warranty to get into the bay, since the memory is in there. The guy said since they deal with so many resellers, these things are very common. He said they are mainly only looking for after-market modifications made to the hardware. I suppose that could technically include new thermal paste, but I got the feeling he was talking more about say, switching out components or crazy heatsink mods...stuff like that. He said in no unclear terms I was fine to give it a go without voiding my warranty.

Are you saying I would lose my warranty by replacing the thermal paste? Or just, I would lose my warranty if I broke something?

 

No, he's saying that it's not worth futzing with it if it's still under warranty, you'd be better served to just let MSI fix it.