6800GT temps and Zalman VF700

[falcx]

Srry for the long post ahead:
I just for the 2nd time put the Zalman Cooler on my new 6800gt. I felt I put too much paste on the first time so I redid it with minimal ...thin layer using a latex glove and I could almost see the Nvidia symbol through it. I did notice tho that there was a small scratch (not too deep) on the Zalman copper heatsink....I didnt lap it for thats an area I am all rookie at.....i just rubbed some AS5 into the heatsink hoping it would fill any problems.

Now I am just monitoring my temps.....
Ambient 27 C
GPU Idle 42 C

If I take the side of my case off both temps rise a few degrees. I have 2 intake on the front, 2 exhaust, 1 side intake, 1 top exhaust. Is that normal for temps to rise with the side of the case off??

I also noticed that the temps take awhile to come down from about 54 to 42 when just playing NHL2005. I have FarCry to test later.

Is this gpu related or case related or both possibly. I was thinking of reversing the top fan to an intake get some more air possibly.

I just ran Rthdrbl for about 45 min, temps got up to 55 max and then took about 2min to drop from 52 to 43, ambient went from 33 to 29. Room temp was about 24 C.

Any comments if this sounds on the norm or anything.......Thanks

[falcx]

1 closer pic........

[thedoc]

those temps look about right, do you have the fan set for silent or max cooling ?, TBH i would be happy with them, i have a ultra on stock cooling and it idles about 52. I have a zalman ready to fit and i will be happy with temps like that

[Know Nuttin]

if you have proper airflow, then it is normal to have temps rise when the side panel is removed. Ever see a wind tunnel with no sides?

leave top as exhaust.

it is normal for temps to take time to lower from load to idle. heat never disappears immediately, even with active cooling.

[Hamm3r]

BTW thats nice looking rig falcx! :)

[XiaO8]

i have a question, i have a case with intake fans on it, i found with three intake fans, the dust in my case just made things look bad, and im sure its not good to have your stuff covered in dust.

so i changed it to one intake fan and still the amount of dust over time/ compared to the less heat wasnt worth it in my opionon. How do you find the the intake fans, they taking in alot of dust over time>?

[falcx]

Thx for all the input and to Hamm3r.

As to Xia08..I find that there isnt alot of "dust buildup" as where it sits on the cards or bottom of case.......but there is some. This is also a new card, my old setup had a 9800Pro with a VGA silencer3 on it exhausting out the case so Im not sure if that will make any dust difference. I do find myself cleaning on a wekkly basis is not more is the SP94 fins right under the cpu fan........it builds up alot....... dust and hair.......I have 3 cats in the house. I always keep some compressed air around and give my case a spary every now and then.