Graphic Card very hot = danger

[arranskye]

Hi,

I have just puchased a Nvidia Quadro 290 NVS dual graphic card (PCI) on ebay so that i can operate dual monitors.

My HP CQ5226 desktop PC has only one VGA port and no DVI or HDMI ports and was running on Intel G41 chipset graphics, hence the need for a dual card. I have only ever had onboard graphics before so I dont really know what to expect.

The description of the card said "cooling passive no fan." My most intensive use is surfing the internet and Linux forums in particular, so I can be using the PC for up to 4 hours continuous use.

It worries me that it gets hot enough that when touching the top of it with my fingers I want to remove them after only 3/4 seconds. Is this normal please???

The graphics work perfectly on win 7 and my all various Linux distros.

is it possible to buy a compatible fan??? The more powerful graphics cards that I have looked at have a fan attached. Would it be possible to attach a compatible fan to this card.

There is nowhere in the casing that I could put a fan that would be near enough to the graphic card to be effective.

I would like to download a couple of linux distros. On my BB Connection it takes about 6 hours each so I tend to do them overnight but since installing this graphic card I am too concerned about fire to leave my PC on overnight.

Could anyone one recommend a Nvidia dual graphics card with a fan please.

Thank you

 

[AddRAM]

How much did you pay for it, why didn`t you get a card with a built-in cooler ?

Like this

You can get a very inexpensive card with a built-in fan on it.

 

[arranskye]

Thanks for your quick reply. Dont know much about graphic cards just wanted one to run dual monitors. It was only when i realised that it was getting hot, that I re-looked at the sellers description and found that the cooling was passive with no fan, then I started to check out other graphics cards and saw that they had fans attached.

This particular card is sold with passive cooling so I would assume that it must be relatively safe. If it was heating up enough to fry people's PC's or possibly even their homes then it would be banned.

Despite this I am still concerned and would like one with a fan. The other problem is that it must be Linux compatible.
Please could you recommend one. Thanks

 

[AddRAM]

There are a lot of members here from the UK I`m sure they will jump in to give you some suggestions and where to browse.

You need to let us know how much you want to spend.

 

[Stephanie]

Hi arranskye

Passive cooling needs good case air flow, if you go to your Motherboard makers web site it may list compatible GPUs

A good real time monitor is GPU Temp (Windows 7 32 & 64bit)

GPU Temp

Mine

This also may be of help

PassMark Software - Video Card Benchmarks - High End Video Cards

 

[Faladu]

OP, no need to worry, is it functioning fine?

Cards without fans are not generally a problem, it's fanless because it doesn't need one, under normal conditions.

I have an old Nvidia 7800GS that was fanless, was never a problem.

Yes, video cards get hot, measured in Celsius, not Fahrenheit!

If totally paranoid, get a slot fan like this and place next to the video card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1470P80640

Or add a case fan if space allows.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Your gpu is several generations old, it was discontinued in 2011. It's not a hot rod card and under normal operation the passive cooler is sufficient. It does need adequate air flow inside the case. Depending on how much room you have a very inexpensive gpu cooler like THIS one well keep it very cool. That cooler moves a lot of air around and all your components should benefit from it.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Yes, video cards get hot, measured in Celsius, not Fahrenheit!

Fahrenheit, not Celsius:devil:
I support the metric system every inch of the way.

 

[Faladu]

madcrate, that cooler isn't sucking out the hot air next to the video card, noticed solid bracket in the picture, I'd avoid just pushing air around, if they have a slot to put a fan in, I'm for sucking out the hot air, I think OP likely doesn't even have a problem, yet. [prevention is wise though!]

Why is OP touching their video card? [kinky] Run gpu-z from cpuid.com for temps.

Mine is at 44C which yeah is HOT to the touch. [I meant the apps use Celsius ]

OP, don't touch your CPU if you are worried about burns, either.

 

[madcratebuilder]

madcrate, that cooler isn't sucking out the hot air next to the video card, noticed solid bracket in the picture, I'd avoid just pushing air around, if they have a slot to put a fan in, I'm for sucking out the hot air, I think OP likely doesn't even have a problem, yet. [prevention is wise though!]

Why is OP touching their video card? [kinky] Run gpu-z from cpuid.com for temps.

Mine is at 44C which yeah is HOT to the touch. [I meant the apps use Celsius ]

OP, don't touch your CPU if you are worried about burns, either.

10-4, getting hot air out is paramount. The OP should be fine if he has adequate air movement inside the case.

Sometimes you just have to use a finger to confirm the software reported temp yep, it's hot.

 

[Layback Bear]

I do question the proper amount of air flow in this case for a no fan GPU.

Compac presario CQ5226

 

[arranskye]

Hi Guys, Thanks for all your help, links, and advice. Special thanks to faladu as your post gave me the confidence to continue using my PC. I have take everything on board. A monitor as Stephanie suggested and a case fan plus a PCI exhaust fan to extract the hot air.
IM Away for a few days now but will install on my return. Stick around please guys as I may need help with the installation. Again many many thanks to you all.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I would recommend a spot cooler as I've used from Antec. Once positioned at the GPU it will help keep it cool but case intake and exhaust strategies must be in place and working well !

Antec SpotCool Case Fan - Newegg.com