VOGONS

Search

Common searches

Passive GeForce 8400 GS running at 100C.

Topic actions

First post, by Kahenraz

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

Because of all the various different 8400 GS versions, it's difficult to really get a grasp on the performance of this card. So I decided to try and buy up as many variations as I could find for comparison. One of them was a passive 8400 GS.

To my surprise, it heated up to 100C while running FurMark. I did not push it further, so I don't know how hot it could have gotten, but this was quite alarming. I think this was with my case on its side with the lid off. I know that it's generally okay to run GPUs on the hotter side, but this is ridiculous.

I could replace the thermal paste, but I don't know if it would make a difference if the heatsink is passive.

20231128_100913.jpg
Filename
20231128_100913.jpg
File size
584.03 KiB
Views
805 views
File license
CC-BY-4.0

This is the same GPU as the NVS 290. I used to use one or two passive NVS 290 for additional monitors, and later the NVS 295, and had no problems with stability. However, I never did anything to stress them like this.

The NVS 290 has a a much larger passive heatsink. This GPU really needs it.

1453-front.small.jpg
Filename
1453-front.small.jpg
File size
18.12 KiB
Views
790 views
File license
Public domain
Last edited by Kahenraz on 2024-04-26, 17:02. Edited 2 times in total.

Reply 6 of 12, by waterbeesje

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Honestly I'd put a decent but quiet fan on it. While the chip pretty sure can handle a temperature too boil water, it will stress the solder and you may end up with broken bga. Too many cards have been cracked like that already. Decent cooling does extend the life of your components.

Stuck at 10MHz...

Reply 7 of 12, by Kahenraz

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

102C in an open test bench.

20231128_134812.jpg
Filename
20231128_134812.jpg
File size
924.78 KiB
Views
673 views
File license
CC-BY-4.0
20231128_134615.jpg
Filename
20231128_134615.jpg
File size
912.24 KiB
Views
673 views
File license
CC-BY-4.0

Reply 8 of 12, by Kahenraz

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

I was in disbelief of these temperatures and decided to see if changing the thermal paste would make a difference, out of curiosity.

The original thermal paste had completely dried out, so much that it was actually impossible to remove with rubbing alcohol. I've only experienced this a few times. I had errands to run, so I tried leaving a puddle of water on it, to see if it would absorb any. When I got back, it was still rock hard and stubborn.

My next attempt was with acetone on a cotton swap. This time it came right off without any added mechanical force.

I replaced the old medium with some brand new GD-2 thermal paste and was very pleased with the result. After a very prolong torture test with FurMark, the GPU only managed 85C in an open air test bench. It's not just the temperature delta that's impressive but rather how long it took to hit it. Compare the old graph to the new one.

I think that the problem wasn't so much the heatsink failing to remove the heat as it was the GPU die heating up and not making enough contact to dissipate it.

20231128_135653.jpg
Filename
20231128_135653.jpg
File size
778.28 KiB
Views
630 views
File license
CC-BY-4.0
20231128_174210.jpg
Filename
20231128_174210.jpg
File size
900.58 KiB
Views
630 views
File license
CC-BY-4.0
20231128_182122.jpg
Filename
20231128_182122.jpg
File size
856.38 KiB
Views
630 views
File license
CC-BY-4.0
Last edited by Kahenraz on 2024-04-26, 17:04. Edited 2 times in total.

Reply 11 of 12, by PcBytes

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
happycube wrote on 2023-11-29, 02:23:

Thankfully it's probably new enough to not suffer (the worst of) bumpgate!

The Serpent Rider wrote on 2023-12-01, 11:32:

It needs much better cooler to avoid bumpgate.

G98 and it seems to use the new underfill, so that thing will likely survive Sauron 🤣

The new underfill has a white-ish colour. The older ones (pre-2008 G86/G84/G92) will have a dark underfill.

"Enter at your own peril, past the bolted door..."
Main PC: i5 3470, GB B75M-D3H, 16GB RAM, 2x1TB
98SE : P3 650, Soyo SY-6BA+IV, 384MB RAM, 80GB

Reply 12 of 12, by ElectroSoldier

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Just because something has a heating without a fan doesn't mean it needs no cooling at all...
Many a Tesla card comes with a passive heatsink but it needs the active cooling of a rack server to keep it cool.

It really should be in a case with some air flow

Go to top of page Go to top of page
Back to General Old Hardware
Close window
Close window