Video Card Heat

A

AMDisSWEET

Limp Gawd
Joined
Sep 6, 2002
Messages
375
Hey there,

I want to order myself a 8800GT but have only one concern. I have an old school Coolermaster Praetorian case with two 80mm front fans and only one rear 80mm and an Antec Earthwatts 380W PSU that doesn't expel much air out of the case. The fans I'm using only move about 24cfm on their best days as I got the quiet ones. However the case is very clutter free and only one HD is blocking the 2 80mm front fans.

Am I going to turn my case into an easy bake oven if I pop in a 8800GT?

Thanks!
 
You will probably need a new power supply for an 8800GT. In that case an 8800GT will probably reach mid to high 70C while gaming which isn't bad. Even if it reaches over 80C, it won't hurt the card.
 
Thanks for the reply! Where's the PNY guy? Hehe.

If the card gets up to 80c that will probably heat up the ambient temp in the case considerably. Hmmm, I might have to get something that produces less heat like a 4670 or get an Antec Three Hundred case and solve the airflow issue.
 
You might want to consider going with a card like the 8800GTS 512MB or 9800GTX which exhaust outside the case, since you're worried about pumping too much heat into it. ASUS also makes a 9800GT which is really essentially an 8800GTS 512MB since it has 128 SPs, and it has the dual-slot cooler as well. That might be the best choice for you depending on pricing.

By the way, the 380W Earthwatts is more than sufficient for an 8800GT, so there's no need to upgrade your PSU like the XFX guy recommended.
 
Thanks Zero82z, I read about the Antec 380 being sufficient and I only paid $30 shipped. I'm thinking I will go for this EVGA 8800GT as it has the Dual Slot cooler with exhaust and with this promo code: EMCAKBBAE on Newegg its about $125 AR with tax + shipping.
 
Not sure of your skills or tools available but its pretty simple to cut a fan hole in the side panel and line it up so that it will it exhaust the hot air or feed the card cool air. A nice grill will hide any roughness if you are not skilled. A jigsaw with a fine tooth metal blade will be like cutting butter. One downside is that if you change video cards it might not line up as nicely if you set it up for the 8800GT.

Just another alternative (and cheap).
 
Bill, I think I'll stay away from sharp objects so I don't cut my fingers off. I'm too clumsy for stuff like that. Thanks though.
 
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