> 9800GX2 Overheating 100C+, Dis-assembly and Fix! (Public)

[slugzkea]

After many months of GPU chuckling and random FPS dropping, I thought the forceware was the issue but it wasn't. After much reading and searching I had to come to my own conclusion that it was heat.

Many people claimed that the GX2 can run at 100C no problem, and that's bullocks. As much as I didn't want to take apart the GX2, I had no choice. I knew it needed a new paste job and further examination.

I fallowed this guide to aid my project and it helped greatly.

Before I begin with the pictures, I just want to clarify a few things.

- The 9800GX2 cover has no purpose other than looks and to hide its flawed design of two PCB boards screwed on to a single cooler-meant for a single PCB board (8800GT).
- The 9800GX2 cover does not aid airflow what so ever.
- Leaving the cover off after re-pasting will aid airflow.
- Taking apart the 9800GX2 is quite easy, like i said it's just two boards screwed onto one cooler. You just have to watch out for a few minor things which I'll get to in the pictorials.
- You will need 3-4 different screw drivers to take apart the 9800GX2 since there are about 4 different screw sizes that hold the design together.
- The SLI bridge connection is lightly glued to one of the boards, so be very careful when taking apart. I believe Nvidia did that on purpose so if you took apart the card, you are boned. Well +1 for SLuGz, and 0 for Nvidia!

Now on with the pictures! Sorry for the crappy quality but I wanted to make sure they would all fit in the post.


This is my XFX 9800GX2.


You have to bend the frame around the 6 and 8 pin connectors, it's hooked around it. Need plyers. Be careful!


This part of the chassis broke. Aw well.


The Chassis/Cover removed!


The first board removed. What a terrible paste job!


Another shot of that terrible paste job!


And yet another shot of that disgusting paste job which is causing overheating!


Nice and clean using 99% rubbing alcohol.


What a paste job should look like using AS5.


The SLI bridge. See the sticky glue? BE CAREFUL!!!! Don't forget to repaste the SLI bridge controller too!!



Another crappy paste job on the 2nd board.


Look at all that accessive paste! Who built these things, 4 year old labourers from asia? I guess so.


Here are all the tools I had to use.


Here is the collaborated paste from both boards and the SLI controller. That's way too much paste!!!

In conclusion, temps dropped 20c. Maximum GPU load both GPU's don't exceed 82c. Before, it was hitting 120c at times. The entire project took about an hour with taking photos.

Monitor the temps of both GPU's. If one is hotter than the other, you have to add more paste.

Also, Make sure the screws around the GPU area are as tight as possible. I don't know why Nvidia chose such small, crappy screws. The ones on my card weren't even that tight!

To tighten as much as possible, Hold the screw driver in place on top of the screw and turn the 9800gx2 until you have almost stripped the screw. That should be enough pressure!!

And there you have it!

Oh yeah, Rivatuner fan 100%, no overclock. Next mod will be to add two tricools blasting on each side of the GX2 giving it 78CFM of air intake. Then i'll OC.

Long story short, a healthy GX2 is 80'esh C load. Anything above that and you'll notice stuttering, chuckling and frame drops.

[KILLER_K]

I just picked one up also. Mine stays in the 70°c range on idle and under a load i see 80 -83°c on the precision monitor. But you better not dare touch the top on the card where the air vent out. It will not take but a second to realize you are being burnt.

Sorry for replying to a older thread. Just found it interesting that your temps was that high. They should have gave a grill rack with the card so you bbq something while you game. This thing should pay off in the winter though, it will make a great heater.

[yngndrw]

My GX2 just died from what I believe was overheating, awaiting an RMA as we speak. :c

[safan80]

After many months of GPU chuckling and random FPS dropping, I thought the forceware was the issue but it wasn't. After much reading and searching I had to come to my own conclusion that it was heat.

Many people claimed that the GX2 can run at 100C no problem, and that's bullocks. As much as I didn't want to take apart the GX2, I had no choice. I knew it needed a new paste job and further examination.

I fallowed this guide to aid my project and it helped greatly.

Before I begin with the pictures, I just want to clarify a few things.

- The 9800GX2 cover has no purpose other than looks and to hide its flawed design of two PCB boards screwed on to a single cooler-meant for a single PCB board (8800GT).

That's why I got rid of my 9800gx2. One department where ATI beats nvidia is in the cooler design. I hope the GT300 will have a much better cooler than the 9800gx2 GTX 285/GTX295.

[JuliM]

thanks for the hint with the useless housing. I got rid of it and now the temps are 20 degree lower (from 90C to 70C).