[mythtv-users] Why is OpenGL video renderer overheating my GPU?

[Simon Hobson]

I'd suggest finding an external source of air - such as a hairdryer 
that can blow cold. Direct a good blast of cold air across the 
heatsink and see what that does to the temperature. My guess is that 
it will stay cool(-enough) which would prove that the chip and 
heatsink between them can dissipate the heat - it's just that you 
need more airflow over the heatsink.

If the airflow is slow, then it doesn't just increase the exit air 
temperature - it reduces the mean delta-T (posh speak for the 
temperature difference between the heatsink and the air). Heat 
transfer rate is highly dependent on delta-T and so having warm air 
around the heatsink very significantly reduces it's cooling capacity.

It may need a better fan.


The only other suggestion I can think of (given your space 
constraints) might be to consider going water cooled. That replaces 
the heatsink with a chip-water heat exchanger and then the warm water 
is piped off elsewhere in the case to where you can have a much 
bigger heatsink (radiator) to get rid of the heat.

-- 
Simon Hobson

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