Safe temp for an Nvidia GT 330M in a Vaio Z?

The only game I really play on this thing is SC2 when I'm out and about. I run it on medium settings and with default clock speeds I get an "okay" frame rate with "okay" smoothness. I increased them and it runs great. I use EVGA Precision. My default clock speeds are Core: 475, Shader: 1045, and Memory: 700. With those speeds in SC2 I get about 84-85C. My OCed speeds are Core: 615, Shader: 1353, and Memory: 800. I get about 86-89C - very minimal difference. It mostly stays around 87 and default stays around 85. The Vaio Z is equipped with a "Thermal Control Strategy" option. I have it hotkeyed so that I hit a button and it toggles it to "Performance mode" which gives priority to heat discharge. I only switch my thermal control strategy and my overclock when I'm going to play a game (SC2). After I get out of the game, I hit my hotkeys and it puts everything back to default. Very nifty.

My question is: is this acceptable? Am I going to ruin the longevity of my machine? I don't do a ton of gaming on this thing, but I'd like it to last a solid 3 years or so without succumbing to thermal damage and dropping my performance into the gutter. I just want to make sure its okay. I was told never to OC a GPU past 30%, so that's what I have it at. The max EVGA Precision lets me take it to is: Core: 760, Shader: 1672, and Memory 840. I've never even attempted anything over 30% for fear of damaging my machine.

Thanks for reading.

 

I cant speak for a GT 330M specifically but the temps are pretty normal for a laptop gpu. Your probably atleast 20C from the gpu's shut down temp and while the heat isnt any good for it, not much you can do except not use it.

 

Yea, but its BUILT to handle heat, as all computers are, aren't they? I just want to make sure the AMOUNT of heat is acceptable.

 

For a laptop GPU that has some oompf behind it in my eyes as long as you are not reaching the 90's your perfectly fine for general usage that wont cause damage in the long run but wear is always going to happen. Some reach above the 90's and that is inevitable but it should quite comfortably run well past the point of being replaced, not to mention the speed in which technology continues to improve at twice the speed of 10 years ago.

With your overclock your temps are good.

A repaste is always an option though if you know what your doing and out of warranty. I dropped 15oC off my max temps with IC7 in my G73. Although the original paste was appalling.

 

The only thing people will say is that every overclock will reduce a GPU's lifespan by a set fraction. Still nowadays we never use laptops through their entire lifespans before replacing them with new laptops anyhow so it's a nonissue.

 

Yea, all paste jobs are terrible. I'd love to repaste both my machines but I don't have the dexterity (I had a surgical incident). I live in a suburb right outside new orleans if anyone knows a reputable technician who can repaste them.

 

Heat from an overclock might reduce life span, but with heat under control the only real concern is overvoltage. Voltage more than anything will reduce lifespan and it automatically brings extra heat with it.

It doesnt seem that the GPU manufacturers care to research and publish information to help calm our debates. But I know one of the other concerns is not the long running of a particular temperature but the extreme heat ups and cool downs. The expanding and contracting of the materials involved could lead to death as well. Not many people are in the position to test the reality of it though.