Temperatures

[kriko]

Hi!
I have a gf6600GT and the temperature readings shows 68-70 c constantly in 2d mode, which is too much for my environment in those days (computer case around graphic card is hot). Is it possible to ‘underclock’ graphic card to achieve lower GPU temperatures.
Current frequencies are:
2d: 300Mhz GPU / 900Mhz RAM (default)
3d: 500Mhz GPU / 900Mhz RAM (default)

thanks

[SaTaN0rX]

you can underclock the card using the nvidia-settings utility

you need to set

Option "Coolbits" "1"
in the device section of your xorg.conf to allow over/under clocking

[whig]

You may also wish to boost the fan speed of your gpu. Search for nvclock.

[pe1chl]

Originally Posted by SaTaN0rX

you can underclock the card using the nvidia-settings utility

you need to set

Option "Coolbits" "1"
in the device section of your xorg.conf to allow over/under clocking

And then? I have this option set (already for several versions of the driver) but I cannot figure out what to do in nvidia-settings. It allows me to set the sync options, color settings, sharpness etc. And it shows the temperature. But nothing related to clockspeed.

I, too, think the card is running too hot. Mine is always above 70 deg C. In this hot summer it sometimes is above 80.
This is partly due to the stupid fan design of the card (it takes in air from the place where the next card sits), but it also seems that this particular model (6600GT) dissipates quite a lot of power.

[kriko]

pe1chl:

Section "Device"
BoardName "GeForce 6600/GeForce 6600 GT"
BusID "1:0:0"
Driver "nvidia"
...
Option "Coolbits" "1"
...

You entered coolbits under device section?

I underclocked my card as much as possible, but still the temperature doesn't drop (It say 66 degrees C). Is it possible to use this card without extra power source (molex), is it safe, does it work with lower temperatures?

[pe1chl]

Originally Posted by kriko

pe1chl:

You entered coolbits under device section?

I underclocked my card as much as possible, but still the temperature doesn't drop (It say 66 degrees C). Is it possible to use this card without extra power source (molex), is it safe, does it work with lower temperatures?

This is what I have:

Section "Device"
BoardName "GeForce 6600 GT/AGP/SSE2"
VendorName "NVidia"
BusID "1:0:0"
Driver "nvidia"
Identifier "Device[0]"
Option "NvAGP" "3"
Option "RenderAccel" "on"
Option "AllowDDCCI" "on"
Option "XvmcUsesTextures" "on"
Option "Coolbits" "1"
Option "UseDisplayDevice" "DFP-0"
Option "usevnc" "yes"
Option "rfbauth" "/root/.vnc/passwd"
Screen 0
EndSection

The logfile confirms it:

(**) NVIDIA(0): Option "Coolbits" "1"

But I don't know what to do in nvidia-settings. It does not mention the coolbits.

I don't think you can omit the molex power connection, there will be an error message.
I once read somewhere that very old versions of the driver made the chip run much cooler. This made me believe it was a driver bug that would be fixed sometime. But this does not seem to happen.

[kriko]

You should see Clock frequencies section:


Do you?

[pe1chl]

My nvidia-settings does not show that item... only the others shown on that capture.

[kriko]

Strange, don't know what is wrong.
I managed to load xorg without extra power source by modifying xorg.conf:
...
Option "NoPowerConnectorCheck" "true"
...

But it still generates 62° c. Less than before, but still too much. These temperature reading are lower because of envirionmental change, it's raining here now .

Anything else could be done? Where are the nvidia experts?

[netllama]

Removing the power connector is likely to make the system unstable, and not resolve the temperature issue.

Have you ensured that the inside of the case has sufficient ventilation?

Also, I'd like to see an nvidia-bug-report.log from this system.

Thanks,
Lonni

[pe1chl]

Originally Posted by netllama

Have you ensured that the inside of the case has sufficient ventilation?

What would you consider a normal temperature for a 6600GT idling in 2D?
Mine is 79C and I consider that hot. The CPU is 52C.

[Thunderbird]

Note that there are 'different' types of sensors. Most sensors you see monitor the temperature close to a certain component (cpu, northbridge, ..) while other sensors measure the temperature inside a chip through a thermal diode inside the chip.

In most cases the cpu temperature is measured using an external sensor and the gpu temperature is temperature inside the gpu. Some gpu sensor chips also show the board/ambient temperature which is the temperature close to the gpu but not inside. The difference between the gpu inside or near the gpu is roughly 15C.