Normal Temperature for an R9 390?

[More Sly]

Hello,

I've had my R9 390 since 2016 and it's seen heavy use. Probably due for an upgrade, but I've been satisfied enough with the performance and occasional compromise.

Recently, I noticed a bearing is starting to go in one of the fans. Not a huge deal, not really rattling yet. Still, I found a spare floating around online so I ordered it to replace or just have on hand. I checked everything out in GPU-Z to see what sort of RPMs I'm getting and was pretty shocked to see the temperature going above 80... all the way to 94 degrees before I couldn't stomach watching it anymore.

Regardless of the answer I'm probably going to open it up and see if the thermal paste is dust tonight, but I'm just wondering what kind of heat I should expect from this card? I know 94 is insane, but they are notorious for running hot. I'm not sure I'd have been concerned if it didn't hit 90.

RPMs seemed fine at around 2500 doing 100%, btw.

 

[Tatty_Two]

You have not said what model you have but if you want a snapshot of temps take a look here for a review sample of the card when it got released, this is an OC model, those temps do seem high, have you ever re-applied thermal paste in those 4 years? ...…………...

Sapphire R9 390 Nitro 8 GB Review

Sapphire's R9 390 Nitro is equipped with a triple-fan cooler that runs very quiet and also delivers good temperatures of only 65°C during heavy gaming. The card, which trades blows with the GTX 970, is also overclocked out of the box and provides a dual-BIOS as an extra safety net.

www.techpowerup.com

 

[More Sly]

You have not said what model you have but if you want a snapshot of temps take a look here for a review sample of the card when it got released, this is an OC model, those temps do seem high, have you ever re-applied thermal paste in those 4 years? ...…………...

Sapphire R9 390 Nitro 8 GB Review

Sapphire's R9 390 Nitro is equipped with a triple-fan cooler that runs very quiet and also delivers good temperatures of only 65°C during heavy gaming. The card, which trades blows with the GTX 970, is also overclocked out of the box and provides a dual-BIOS as an extra safety net.

www.techpowerup.com

Thanks Tatty!

I have the MSI 8GB model.

I haven't reapplied thermal paste in that time, no. This tends to be the kind of stuff I know more about than am comfortable doing - but I figure I better get used to it if I don't want to buy a new card.

Looking more into it, it seems like I definitely should have a couple years ago. It's actually on my desk now.

 

[Tatty_Two]

Thanks Tatty!

I have the MSI 8GB model.

I haven't reapplied thermal paste in that time, no. This tends to be the kind of stuff I know more about than am comfortable doing - but I figure I better get used to it if I don't want to buy a new card.

Looking more into it, it seems like I definitely should have a couple years ago. It's actually on my desk now.

You have to treat it like a baby, don't just yank the cooler off, there may be thermal pads stuck down you don't want to pull off anything but the cooler, the first time I did it some 15 years ago I snapped some solder off, I got lucky as I had a friend who was an electronics guy who worked some magic and got it going again.... take your time.

 

[More Sly]

You have to treat it like a baby, don't just yank the cooler off, there may be thermal pads stuck down you don't want to pull off anything but the cooler, the first time I did it some 15 years ago I snapped some solder off, I got lucky as I had a friend who was an electronics guy who worked some magic and got it going again.... take your time.

Will do, thanks for the advice! I've already got a video pulled up of someone else doing it and I'm taking it step by step.

[UPDATE:]
Well, I'm back from it. Changing the thermal paste was pretty simple. If anyone comes here looking to do the same I found this video really helpful:

Unfortunately, I'm still getting 94 degrees during the same gameplay. Scary. I wish I'd kept an eye on it sooner so I knew what to be comfortable with. Still, I do think it had an impact since I noticed my average frame rate increased afterwards. It usually wasn't above 55 frames in Rise of the Tomb Raider before, often dipping below 30. Afterwards I was hitting 72 a lot and averaging comfortably above 60. So, it seems I did something. Could my card be set up to go that high??

I'll attach the log I made if anyone is interested. First session was Rise of the Tomb Raider (ends at 21:22:22) the gap there is me replacing thermal paste. Next is running 3D Mark to try it out (ends 23:29:36) and final is Rise of the Tomb Raider again for the same conditions.

Since I'm still getting pretty high heat, are there any next steps I should take?

Some good news - the replacement fans I got were missing on of the power cables the originals had. I assumes they're still fine, likely just knockoffs, but I decided to try tightening the screw up on the original fan before replacing it. Lo and behold, the wobbling has stopped. Still, always good to have spares.

 

[More Sly]

Hey everyone! Coming back to this a bit later.

My temperatures stayed high after changing the thermal paste. I decided it must have been like that for some time and after being unable to find next steps decided to live with it.

Today I noticed some stuttering in game play and realized that my clock speed is suffering more than last time I looked at this issue - presumably to make up for the heat. Right?

Anything else I can do here? Could I have screwed up replacing paste? I used a spread layer.

UPDATE: Here's my logs, you can see it gradually lowering from 1040MHz to 800 and lower. I start getting stuttering around 700.

 

[xman2007]

Hey everyone! Coming back to this a bit later.

My temperatures stayed high after changing the thermal paste. I decided it must have been like that for some time and after being unable to find next steps decided to live with it.

Today I noticed some stuttering in game play and realized that my clock speed is suffering more than last time I looked at this issue - presumably to make up for the heat. Right?

Anything else I can do here? Could I have screwed up replacing paste? I used a spread layer.

94c is the absolute max of that card and at which point it will start to throttle hence you're seeing the FPS tank though it's common for the reference 390's to get close to that temp, you should be seeing lower than that with the MSI cooler make sure you are using enough TIM and that when replacing the HSF you are screwing it down and it is making full contact, there should be no reason you should be seeing those kinds of temps when you have the fans running at full tilt also

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I think the highest my PowerColor PCS+ ever hit was 71C and that was with the fans going full wail mode to drop it back to 70C.

 

[More Sly]

94c is the absolute max of that card and at which point it will start to throttle hence you're seeing the FPS tank though it's common for the reference 390's to get close to that temp, you should be seeing lower than that with the MSI cooler make sure you are using enough TIM and that when replacing the HSF you are screwing it down and it is making full contact, there should be no reason you should be seeing those kinds of temps when you have the fans running at full tilt also

Thanks! I think I understand, but just to make sure - what are the abbreviations TIM and HSF? Thermal Paste and Heat Sink, right?

I might open it up again and try to reseat it, just incase I didn't place it right. I guess I'll also apply a touch more themalpaste, just incase. Everything seems like it was before I opened it up otherwise, though. Fans are running and at the same speed. Didn't have this issue come up until about a week later. Could definitely be that it's just finally going after 4 years, I guess? Timing seems coincidental.

 

[xman2007]

Thanks! I think I understand, but just to make sure - what are the abbreviations TIM and HSF? Thermal Paste and Heat Sink, right?

I might open it up again and try to reseat it, just incase I didn't place it right. I guess I'll also apply a touch more themalpaste, just incase. Everything seems like it was before I opened it up otherwise, though. Fans are running and at the same speed. Didn't have this issue come up until about a week later. Could definitely be that it's just finally going after 4 years, I guess? Timing seems coincidental.

Yea, thermal interface material and heatsink/fan

and it's worth double checking and reapplying the TIM/thermal paste did you notice the temps before this or is it a case of you only seen it getting this high when you looked at them? here's a review of the MSI twin frozr 8GB 390 and overclocked they only hit 77c https://www.overclockers.com/msi-r9-390-gaming-8g-video-card-review/ so something definitely seems amiss, and it's not the cards age as it wont just get hotter from age, clean the heatsink fins, reapply the TIM generously and make sure you are applying the correct pressure to the screws when reattaching it all

 

[AsRock]

Yes they get HOT!, maybe get some air coming from the bottom or even more from the front too, if the case has a side fan like a 200mm i found sucking out air was the best option for it i justy cannot do that right now due to my cpu cooler and don't have the funds to correct it yet.

I am using a fan holder from the primotech mk-13 with 2x120mm fans, how ever a few weeks ago the fans on the actual card failed so i took the shroud off and the fans and moved the primotech mk-13 fan holder right up close it and worked out good, how ever it still gets hot if the room temps around 30c i can expect to hit 88c.

I don't know if you can find some thing like i have but might be worth checking out, i do know typically the PCI fan holders with built in fans are crap for the most part.


Aaah did a little searching, maybe this would help ?

Custom Black Dual Fan Mount Rack PCI Slot Bracket W/ 2x 80mm Fans - US SELLER for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Custom Black Dual Fan Mount Rack PCI Slot Bracket W/ 2x 80mm Fans - US SELLER at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[More Sly]

Yea, thermal interface material and heatsink/fan

and it's worth double checking and reapplying the TIM/thermal paste did you notice the temps before this or is it a case of you only seen it getting this high when you looked at them? here's a review of the MSI twin frozr 8GB 390 and overclocked they only hit 77c https://www.overclockers.com/msi-r9-390-gaming-8g-video-card-review/ so something definitely seems amiss, and it's not the cards age as it wont just get hotter from age, clean the heatsink fins, reapply the TIM generously and make sure you are applying the correct pressure to the screws when reattaching it all

Yeah, at the start of this topic - I noticed a wobbly fan and checked the RPMs before I opened it up. That's when I noticed the temps. After 4 years of pretty heavy use I figured it's time I replace the thermal paste. I'm going to try running it now with the side off to see how much open air helps.

Yes they get HOT!, maybe get some air coming from the bottom or even more from the front too, if the case has a side fan like a 200mm i found sucking out air was the best option for it i justy cannot do that right now due to my cpu cooler and don't have the funds to correct it yet.

I am using a fan holder from the primotech mk-13 with 2x120mm fans, how ever a few weeks ago the fans on the actual card failed so i took the shroud off and the fans and moved the primotech mk-13 fan holder right up close it and worked out good, how ever it still gets hot if the room temps around 30c i can expect to hit 88c.

I don't know if you can find some thing like i have but might be worth checking out, i do know typically the PCI fan holders with built in fans are crap for the most part.


Aaah did a little searching, maybe this would help ?

Custom Black Dual Fan Mount Rack PCI Slot Bracket W/ 2x 80mm Fans - US SELLER for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Custom Black Dual Fan Mount Rack PCI Slot Bracket W/ 2x 80mm Fans - US SELLER at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Thanks for that link! I was wondering if there was something I could do with the backplate. My GPU's fans are pointing down, at the bottom of my case, so it's probably not getting the benefit of circulation.

I was about to make use of the fan slots I'm not using yet just to up the circulation (I have an intake available and two outputs on the top radiator space) so I'll grab that too. 6 bucks is a better deal than a burnt out card.


I'm right that that clock speed will start sacrificing at a certain temperature - right?

 

[AsRock]

I have a back plate on my card too, until recently after changing out the cpu cooler i was able to fit a fan on top of the video card which helped to remove the heat from the top of the card.

i have 3 120mm fans and the bottom which benefits the v card i have a second one on the bottom of the case helping to put the air in from the front, which i left like that as it helped my chipset which in turn should be helping the card as it sits right on top of it.

Maybe post your system specs and case too.

 

[xman2007]

Yeah, at the start of this topic - I noticed a wobbly fan and checked the RPMs before I opened it up. That's when I noticed the temps. After 4 years of pretty heavy use I figured it's time I replace the thermal paste. I'm going to try running it now with the side off to see how much open air helps.



Thanks for that link! I was wondering if there was something I could do with the backplate. My GPU's fans are pointing down, at the bottom of my case, so it's probably not getting the benefit of circulation.

I was about to make use of the fan slots I'm not using yet just to up the circulation (I have an intake available and two outputs on the top radiator space) so I'll grab that too. 6 bucks is a better deal than a burnt out card.


I'm right that that clock speed will start sacrificing at a certain temperature - right?

Yes, clocks and voltage go down at 94c and then your FPS fall as the card tries to stop itself from overheating and causing permanent damage. What do you mean they're pointing down? if in a standard ATX layout case that's normal and the fans are blowing upwards towards the GPU, do you have adequate case cooling and how hot is your room? cause anything considred "normal" around 20c (give or take) you still shouldn't be seeing the high temps you are, not sure where @AsRock is though I'd be melting in a 30c room

 

[AsRock]

Yes, clocks and voltage go down at 94c and then your FPS fall as the card tries to stop itself from overheating and causing permanent damage. What do you mean they're pointing down? if in a standard ATX layout case that's normal and the fans are blowing upwards towards the GPU, do you have adequate case cooling and how hot is your room? cause anything considred "normal" around 20c (give or take) you still shouldn't be seeing the high temps you are, not sure where @AsRock is though I'd be melting in a 30c room

What happens in summer with no AC and computers running . only 83f right now .

 

[More Sly]

What do you mean they're pointing down? if in a standard ATX layout case that's normal and the fans are blowing upwards towards the GPU, do you have adequate case cooling and how hot is your room? cause anything considred "normal" around 20c (give or take) you still shouldn't be seeing the high temps you are, not sure where @AsRock is though I'd be melting in a 30c room

Yeah, I was wondering if they're maybe a bit starved down there. I haven't had any stuttering like this before so I thought it was alright, but I could definitely stand to benefit from more fans. I've got the space. Room temperature isn't bad, it's only around 17C. I think I had it hotter in here during the winter, to be honest.

Full build: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/MoreSly/builds/

 

[xman2007]

That's pretty clean and you have a 120mm pulling cool air in towards the GPU which should help, I'd maybe add another 120mm intake fan above the existing one, but you shouldn't have a big issue with temps just from that. Defintely reapply some thermal paste and make sure the heatsink is seated properly and see how you get on.

 

[More Sly]

That's pretty clean and you have a 120mm pulling cool air in towards the GPU which should help, I'd maybe add another 120mm intake fan above the existing one, but you shouldn't have a big issue with temps just from that. Defintely reapply some thermal paste and make sure the heatsink is seated properly and see how you get on.

Thanks! I'll definitely take another peak in there and at least add another 120 to the front. Probably a couple 140s to the top for good measure.

 

[Caring1]

You've got a fair bit of sag with that card too, try adding a support.

 

[_UV_]

During mining craziness my 2 XFX 390X DD
link
worked hard with 86-90 C with room temperature about 35-38 C 24/7 whole summer in open stand
so i assume that's ok temps for cards if they well made
only one thing to note: stock coolers was interchanged with a block of 3 high speed 90mm delta fans

 

[More Sly]

You've got a fair bit of sag with that card too, try adding a support.

Yeah, I mostly don't notice but might as well grab a stand while I'm investing.

During mining craziness my 2 XFX 390X DD
link
worked hard with 86-90 C with room temperature about 35-38 C 24/7 whole summer in open stand
so i assume that's ok temps for cards if they well made
only one thing to note: stock coolers was interchanged with a block of 3 high speed 90mm delta fans

Thanks! I'll look into upgrading the card's fans.

What do you all think about a vertical card mount? I'm wondering if it would help or hurt the air more.

 

[_UV_]

More Sly
that was a temporal replacement for stock cooling fans because of too much heat, gaming isn't that taxing usually, and that fans too loud for normal usage even if they in another room

i'm saying, that temps like 80-90 C isn't something that can destroy good quality cards from this family (7970/280/290/390), but heat they producing maybe too dangerous for surrounding hardware, if you have good airflow in the case, there is nothing to worry about such high temps for this generation of AMD hardware, at least mine cards was already second hand from other miner and they worked as mining hardware about 2 years for me, half a year for a previous owner and they just ok and working flawlessly till this days as a regular gaming cards with stock cooling

 

[More Sly]

More Sly
that was a temporal replacement for stock cooling fans because of too much heat, gaming isn't that taxing usually, and that fans too loud for normal usage even if they in another room

i'm saying, that temps like 80-90 C isn't something that can destroy good quality cards from this family (7970/280/290/390), but heat they producing maybe too dangerous for surrounding hardware, if you have good airflow in the case, there is nothing to worry about such high temps for this generation of AMD hardware, at least mine cards was already second hand from other miner and they worked as mining hardware about 2 years for me, half a year for a previous owner and they just ok and working flawlessly till this days as a regular gaming cards with stock cooling

Well that's good to hear, I know these cards are heat beasts (it always has been) but that leaves me wondering why I'm suddenly getting issues with my GPU Clock speed. Only thing I can think of is that it's ditching performance to cool down.

Strangely, when my clock speed drops and I see stuttering my framerate is fine.

 

[xman2007]

Well that's good to hear, I know these cards are heat beasts (it always has been) but that leaves me wondering why I'm suddenly getting issues with my GPU Clock speed. Only thing I can think of is that it's ditching performance to cool down.

Strangely, when my clock speed drops and I see stuttering my framerate is fine.

I've said this like 3 times, 94c is the absolute max safe temp for that GPU and when you hit it, GPU clocks and voltages will lower to protect the card from damage, long story short, your temps are too high, also if your FPS doesnt drop likely you have vsync on and you're maintaining 60fps? either way, high temps = lower clocks, lower voltages and FPS drops/stuttering, crashes, hard locks etc etc

 

[More Sly]

I've said this like 3 times, 94c is the absolute max safe temp for that GPU and when you hit it, GPU clocks and voltages will lower to protect the card from damage, long story short, your temps are too high, also if your FPS doesnt drop likely you have vsync on and you're maintaining 60fps? either way, high temps = lower clocks, lower voltages and FPS drops/stuttering, crashes, hard locks etc etc

Sorry xman, I didn't mean to make it seem like I wasn't listening to you - I definitely am and that makes sense to me. I was just wondering if UE had something to add. But he did say to 90 - not 94 where I've been sitting.

My next steps are what you've suggested - I'll be taking the card apart to reapply TIM and reseat the HSF. I've also ordered a few 140mm fans for my case and I'm looking into slipping a 90mm by the back below my card. I'll report back!