If the components of the system unit become very hot during operation, this can in the best case lead to an independent shutdown of the computer, and in the worst, to its breakdown. Warming up the video card occurs for several reasons, most of which can be determined and eliminated independently if you have some experience. If there is no experience, it is better to contact a service center with any problem.
How to detect graphics card overheating
With a laptop, everything is much simpler: it is always at hand, and its heating is easily detected by touch. Overheating of the video card of a stationary computer is most often not noticeable during normal work, reading or browsing the Internet. You can determine the presence of a problem by the following signs:
- braking of games and graphic applications;
- loud noise during processor operation;
- the appearance on the image of squares, stripes and other oddities that were not previously observed.
To make sure that the video card is overheating, you can remove the wall of the system unit and touch the internal components. However, instead, it is better to install one of the special programs that measure and report the temperature of the computer elements. So, during standard operation, it should not overheat above 30-35 degrees. When using heavy games and other graphics programs, this figure can increase up to 80 degrees. If more – then this is a dangerous symptom.
Not only the video card can be heated, but also other components of the system unit, especially the processor. You can also determine who is to blame with a special program or with the touch of a hand.
If you ignore the signs listed above, the video card may automatically turn off and the computer will restart itself. All this will not add benefit to its device.
why is my graphics card overheating
The most common and commonplace reason that a video card overheats is dust. Of course, it should not be inside the system unit at all. Accumulating on the surface of the video card, it creates problems during operation. Dust clogs coolers, they begin to rotate worse, make noise and cool the inside of the system unit worse.
Complicated operation of the cooler can also be with the dried grease of its rotational element. A fan that is out of order or cannot cope with the load is a common cause of overheating.
Another reason why the video card is warming is the drying of thermal paste. Because of this, heat transfer is degraded. If the computer is more than a year old, then almost certainly this problem has a place to be.
In addition, a situation is not uncommon when a user does not want to buy a new video card, but wants to increase its performance . In the public domain, there are many tips for “overclocking” the card. But only with an increase in productivity, heating also rises. Therefore, risking overclocking the video card, you need to take care of additional cooling for it.
graphics card overheating fix
If the video card warms up due to an excess of dust, then this problem can be easily fixed on its own. To do this, disconnect the computer from the network and remove the side wall of the system unit. Using a special vacuum cleaner (compressed air cylinder, compressor), a brush and cotton swabs, remove dust wherever it is visible to the naked eye. We especially clean the cooler from it. After making sure that there is no dust left and the fan rotates without obstacles, you can close the system unit. This is the simplest and at the same time very important thing that you can and should do for your PC regularly. It is better not to wait until the dust clogs the cooler and the video card, and do preventive cleaning at least once every three months. It is also necessary to make sure that there is no dirt around the system unit.
If the cooler is faulty (that is, it does not spin at all, even in the absence of dust), it should be replaced. Before that, you need to know the model of the card so as not to be mistaken with the choice of a fan. However, the cause of poor rotation may be because the grease has dried. You can lubricate the cooler yourself.
- Take out the graphics card. It is fastened with a loop, screws and a clamp on the inner surface.
- Remove the cooler. To do this, you need a thin Phillips screwdriver. Magnetic is better, since the mounting screws are very small and easy to lose.
- Divide the cooler into two parts.
- Remove the sticker. Under it there will be a snap expansion ring. Lubricating oil must be dripped to where this ring was taken out, that is, into the bearing.
- Lubricate the bearing itself (on the back). In this case, you must try not to touch the winding. For accuracy, it is better to use a syringe.
After these procedures, you can assemble the structure back.
If the reason that the video card is very hot is due to the dry thermal paste, it must be applied again. This paste is needed to remove heat from the video card chip and processor by filling in uneven areas on the surface of the heatsink and chip. You only need to cover the composition with the video card chip. Before applying, the remains of the old thermal paste must be completely removed. This is best done with an eraser. Never use sharp objects!
To replace the paste should only be very experienced users, because it is quite difficult to calculate the amount of funds. If there is too little or too much paste, in any case the heat transfer will deteriorate, which will cause the video card to warm up. If experience is not enough, it is better to turn to professionals. With a dried paste, the chip can literally “boil”, heating up to 100 degrees Celsius or even higher.
With all the manipulations inside the system unit, you must be extremely careful not to damage the video card, its clips, and other details. Do not wash the inside of the computer with water or household cleaning products.
how to prevent graphics card from overheating
The basis of prevention should be a war on dust. The smaller it is in the room, the less it gets into the inside of the system unit. Of course, the computer should not work around the clock, rest is also the prevention of overheating and wear of parts.
The video card is especially hot if the room is hot. In the summer, you can remove the side wall of the system unit to improve air circulation. In addition, when the panel is removed, it is easier to monitor the dust and remove it. You can install additional coolers for blowing and blowing.
The system unit must be away from heating appliances and other equipment. It is better not to put it close to the wall, and even more so so that it is surrounded by walls on all sides. Air should circulate freely around the unit.
With timely cleaning, lubrication, replacement of thermal paste, the computer and all its parts will last a long time and without fail. It is much easier to prevent the occurrence of systemic problems than to later worry that it is heating up. Failing to help the technician at the first sign of a problem will lead to malfunctions. Up to the point that you have to buy a new video card or the entire system unit.
