Cooling the GPU

PGleesonuk · Aug 3, 2015

My GPU is running hot. I already all settings on low.
After about 2 hours playing the game I start to get random crashes, and by GPU temps in the 90's

Would limiting the frame rate and/or turning v-sync on help this?

I know I'm running on a low spec system
iMac 27" (playing at 1920x1080)
HD 4850 512mb
i5 quad core 2.66mhz
8gb ram

thanks

Cody · Aug 3, 2015

Try it with V-sync on, it may help... but your GPU is borderline!

the100thmonkey · Aug 3, 2015

Putting a fan so it blows air over the chassis might help, but I can't guarantee it as those iMacs are tightly packaged.

You've probably got a great deal of gunk on the radiator. If you could open it up and give it a once over with some compressed air and a brush, you'd likely notice a marked decrease in temperature.

TriumphANT · Aug 3, 2015

You should probably post this in the Mac forum here:
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=113
as it's Mac specific. Those iMacs have the air intakes on the underside of the screen, so flip the screen back and use a vacuum cleaner to gently clear out any dust from the air intakes. I can't remember if you can take the bottom panel off to get right into it, but I don't think you should see your GPU overheat like that if you have proper cooling. Ask on the Mac forum. I only support Macs in a corporate environment, so gamers will know more than me!

Io_Sys · Aug 3, 2015

Sounds like a sign of really bad airflow.
Clean out your case, check your fans are working and your internals aren't clogged with dust.
Might want to get a fan for a frontal intake too, if you don't already. They're pretty cheap, you can pick a new fan up for about a fiver.
How's the CPU temp?

You can probably try running it at a lower resolution as well.

KillingTime · Aug 3, 2015

The HD4000s ran hot, 90 degrees isn't actually unreasonable for that series of card. If your machine is old then a good clean is certainly worth doing, I've been getting more crashes of late so it could also be the game more than your hardware. Try running some stress tests to see if you get the same issue, this should help determine if it's a software/driver issue or hardware

Polared · Aug 3, 2015

if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself take it into a mac store to get it opened up an have a proper cleaning, we get our studio ones done every six months as routine and you can notice the difference just by the reduction in fan noise. but that having been said, games really push the imac too the limit of their capabilities, especially the iGPU ones.
n.b. not a FB comment, i use them for work!

PGleesonuk · Aug 3, 2015

Thanks for the tips

Steve50 · Aug 3, 2015

I'd open it up and clear out the dust, it's amazing how fast it builds up. Even on my tower with dust filters I have to clean it all out every 6 months or so.

Radicus · Aug 3, 2015

You can prise off the glass screen with a blade but wedging it between the glass and the aluminium frame, start from a top corner. It's held on by magnets. Once off you can remove the screws around the chassis (you'll need a hex screw as Apple like to use custom screws! Careful not to rip out the cable for the webcam up the top, but its got a clip to unclip it. Once off, you should see the two large fans at the bottom of the machine... they will be full of dust. Vacuum cleaner and air compressor (or can of compressed air) are your best friend.

Good luck!

Windscreen Smudge · Aug 3, 2015

Your TIM may have dried out too, that's a pretty old card and it only lasts a couple years before it needs to be replaced. Here's a guide on replacing it.
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http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/10418-how-to-change-your-gpus-thermal-paste-with-pictures/
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And some of the best thermal paste you can get.
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Gelid Solutions.
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It's not as hard as you think. Have fun!
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Edit: Nerp. Just realized that's one of the standalones with no tower. getting it out of there will be hard....
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.......
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Do it anyways!

Crimson Kaim · Aug 3, 2015

Yea, the GPU can melt your rig, I mean really. I already burned my hand when I turned my fans off ... well since I have 20 of them, cooling is no longer a porblem 8assumign they are not turned off haha)