Let’s see how you can reduce GPU temperature while gaming in just a few easy steps and tricks. It is good that you are thinking about the health of your Graphics card. But did you know that some of the models are built in a way that they can withstand over 90-celsius heat without getting damaged? Obviously, the life of these cards will reduce after high-temperature usage.
Now, coming back to the topic, there are some easy ways that can help you reduce the heat during gaming. Go through each method to get the best outcome possible.
Methods To Reduce GPU Temperature While Gaming
Before knowing this, let’s know how hot can a GPU get.
How Much Hot Can a GPU Get?
If you ever tried buying a GPU, you might have gone insane looking at how many of them exist in the market. All of them are made to run at different temperatures. For instance, Nvidia GPUs can run comfortably from 70 to 85-degree celsius. While average AMD GPUs can run comfortably from 60 to 70-degree celsius.
If you want to be sure, you can check out your graphics manual. Nowadays, companies try to innovate different cooling techniques which will give you different average temperatures. If you have no idea how to analyze your Graphics temperature, you can use the below list of 3rd party applications. It will provide you with accurate temp with both GPU and CPU.
Download any of them because they all are safe and tested. Check your status for some moment while gaming and if you are exceeding your limits then follow the below steps to reduce your GPUs heat.
Reduce GPU Temperature While Gaming
Below are some ways that can reduce GPU temperature while gaming.
1. Cleaning Dust Particles
The first thing you should do is clean your entire CPU. It is easy and beneficial not just for your GPU but all the components present inside the CPU. The layer of dust is enough to block the airway making air cooling a bit difficult for your PC. Trying to remove the dust from the fans can help you get surprising results. Here are some materials you might need to clean the CPU.
- Screwdriver
- Vacuum cleaner or Compressed Air
- Isopropyl alcohol or Alcohol Wipes
Follow these steps
- Remove your graphics card and wipe it with a soft cloth.
- Use your screwdriver to remove the card from the CPU. Pay attention because some screws will be bigger and need to be screwed back in the exact thread.
- Again with the help of a screwdriver remove the heating system from the GPU.
- Be gentle and slow because you don’t want to rip off any important wires.
- After removing the fan, take out the cooler assembly.
- The assembly cooler should be cleaned outside the house with the use of a vacuum cleaner or compressed air. The push of air will throw out dust particles.
- The alcohol wipes can be used to clean the GPU fans. This will give them a new look.
- Again, use those wipes to clean the main GPU. Be careful and gentle.
- For drying, you can leave the components in a safe place for a few hours, or better yet, a whole day.
- Now, you can start assembling by attaching the fan.
- Attach the cooler properly.
- Use the screwdriver to attach everything as it was. Don’t miss out on anything and double-check all the connections. Once you are done, you are ready to go.
2. Changing The Thermal Paste
Many times the thermal paste on your CPU or GPU dries out after months of usage. Cleaning the top and replacing the paste can work like a charm. If you have not checked this in months then this simple step can really give you cool results.
For your information, make sure you learn the difference between thermal paste, grease, and pad. Accordingly, make the best decision. For your help, we have written an article on how to apply thermal paste and how it works. But if you are not sure about this, please visit a local shop or friend who has experience. Because the components are way too expensive to practice.
3. Changing The Whole Case
Before you go shopping for new fans, try to do a simple in-house experiment. Just play a game with a closed case like usual and note down the temperature readings. Play the same game again with the same play time, just open your case panel and note down the reading. If you notice a significant amount of temp drop with an open case then it might be time to get a new case.
A bigger case with more air ventilation can help your GPU a lot. Also, try to understand your fans’ locations so your new case won’t block their way. Don’t go for compact cases as they will provide less air-breathing space.
4. Consider The Airflow
Your components need some air to breathe and relax. It is time to check your fan location and their placements. Increasing the number of fans can also help in this case. Having just two fans is not enough on today’s date. You can do one thing. Have some fans in the front so they pull fresh and cold air inside the CPU case and have some fans at the back to push out the hot air. This will give continuous air ventilation.
Obviously, make sure to get a case that supports this system for better thermal results. If you still have any more places where a fan can be fit, go ahead and fill it with more fans. Don’t shy away because while gaming your PC is ready to take off. Usually, a gaming case has enough slots to install fans that can help you get that sweet cooling system. Also, having a good branded fan can help because the one that comes with certain cases can be faulty and doesn’t run as fast.
5. Getting An Aftermarket GPU Dedicated Fan
Some people try to get these aftermarket fans which can work like a charm and cool down your GPU. Just make sure you choose the correct fan that is compatible with your GPU and then note down the temp results. Some expensive and good-quality aftermarket fans will use a water cooling system that works best after fans. This little investment can help you increase the life of your PC components by years.
6. Checking The GPU Driver
For this one let’s not open up the CPU and just check the GPU software. Sometimes your GPU runs a bit differently after a driver update. Some updates can cause temp increases by 10-degree celsius. Some gamers will even recommend you not update a driver as soon as it’s launched. Wait some days and see how people are reacting to it. If you notice any glitch or performance loss after an update, simply go on Google and download the previous version of your driver.
Gamers face this issue on a daily basis but the solution is simple and comes at zero cost. If you want to completely reset any settings that came with the driver, we will recommend you use DDU in the safe mode of Windows. This will remove all the settings made by the driver.
7. Install Water Cooling System
If you have a budget and want something that works the best and increases your GPU life, go for the water-cooling function. Yes, an aftermarket fan is great but this cooling system can work much better. If you have an overclocked GPU, you need this water-cooling system. They will help you to keep the temperature below 50 degrees Celsius. GPU with stock cooler and usual fans won’t be able to cool down while gaming.
The images might scare you but the installation is quite easy once you go through a few YT videos and online blogs. And of course, if you have doubts, get help from a friend or a local shop. And the best thing, you can also include your SSD and CPU in this cooling system. Just imagine your PC running at its full potential even at the end of the day without becoming a bonfire.
8. Don’t Overclock
Sometimes it helps to run the game on high FPS, but the cost can be high. You should stay away from this especially when you don’t have a water cooling system. A normal fan won’t help your GPU. There is a reason why your GPU company locked the power. Using the GPU on recommended power will ensure its safety.
And if the GPU is getting hot even on the recommended clocking try to reduce the clocking power. Underclocking the GPU using software like MSI Afterburner will work like a charm. This is great if you don’t have any need to use your GPU at the highest power. Along with the power consumption, your GPU life increases. Follow a simple YT video or blog on how to reduce your GPU clocking speed.
Conclusion
A gamer should always respect his or her PC components. Taking proper care will help you to increase the life of the GPU. And in the time when chipsets are struggling through shortages, you wouldn’t want to get stuck.
Remember, first know what your usage is and accordingly decide which method will suit you. So now you know how to reduce GPU temperature while gaming.