What is the normal temperature of a video card when mining

Video card temperature when mining

Profits from cryptocurrency mining come from processing transactions and creating blocks in distributed systems. In 2023, ASIC hardware manufacturers are making devices for the different hashing methods on which networks function. However, crypto mining on video cards (GPUs) remains popular for many blockchains. The cooling system is a component of the farm used to mine cryptocurrency. You need to keep the graphics cards at an optimal temperature when mining. This will increase their lifespan.

Optimal graphics card temperature when mining

The graphics chip heats up during calculations. This is a natural physical phenomenon in which the work produced is released in the form of heat. There are certain temperature settings.

HeatingComment
0-29°CThe graphics card is idle, does not heat up
30-49°CThe graphics adapter is practically not loaded. More heat is generated during mining.
50-59°CAverage load on the graphics card. If it does not heat up more when mining cryptocurrencies, you can overclock the devices.
60-69°CThe computational capacity of the hardware is approaching its maximum. It is still possible to overclock the chips.
70-75°CThe normal temperature of video cards in mining is considered to be this figure. Optimal balance between performance and the degree of wear and tear.
76-79°CMost video adapters work stably at this heating. However, it is recommended to reduce the temperature (for example, overclock the fan).
80-89°CThe temperature mode exceeds the norm, you should reduce it. Overheating will lead to faster hardware failure.
90-99°CIn this range, most GPUs start to trottlize (the chip slows down). This is their protective function that helps to avoid damage. It is better to suspend mining and check the hardware (thermal paste, dust).
100-110°CAt this temperature, the computer is capable of crashing due to a high risk of graphics chip failure

The equipment will warm up more in a hot room where mining devices are installed. This should be taken into account. Miners place several regs with graphics cards on the balcony for better ventilation.

Cold air below 0°C will provoke condensation, which is likely to cause the equipment to fail.

Critical temperature of graphics cards

Trottling is a function to protect the chip from overheating (its clock frequency is reduced). It is triggered when a specific temperature level is reached. Each video adapter manufacturer sets this threshold for its graphics devices. Most often it is in the range of 80-100°C.

Also during cryptocurrency mining, the memory of the graphics card is engaged. During mining, it warms up more than the chip. The maximum temperature threshold for memory is 110-130°C (depends on the graphics processor).

NVIDIA

GeForce GTX and RTX line of graphics cards have different maximum temperature thresholds. For example, all devices of the 2000 series of chips from NVIDIA have an allowable heat of 88-89°C. And the 3000th generation can withstand heavy loads – 92-93°C. Graphics cards of the 1000th series are even higher – 94-97°C. As soon as this degree of heat is reached, trottling starts.

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AMD

On the site of the main competitor NVIDIA there is no data on critical heating values. But according to the open information from the Internet AMD graphics cards can withstand higher values. Radeon 500-series devices have a critical level of 97-105°C. RX 5000-series chips have similar indicators. And RX 6000-series video cards have even higher critical temperature – up to 110°C.

It is not recommended to heat AMD computing equipment above 80-85 degrees Celsius.

Temperature mode of processors

The central chip in a mining farm is necessary for its operation as a whole. The processor is a bridge between RAM, video cards and hard disk. Therefore, it rarely overheats. If this happens, you need to check the tightness of the cooler. Its legs are inserted into special holes on the motherboard until it clicks. Also, if the processor overheats, you need to check the thermal paste. It should resemble the consistency of plasticine, otherwise it is necessary to replace it.

What is the normal temperature of a video card when mining
Applying thermal paste on the CPU

Intel

On the company’s website there is no data on the critical heat level for processors. However, there is a Junction Temps indicator – the value at which the central chip will shut down (overheat protection will be triggered). Also, Intel processors have a Throttle Level (reduces clock frequency). According to information from the Internet, Trottling is activated at a temperature of 90-100°C.

AMD

The company’s website has data on the maximum heating limit of central processing units (CPUs). For Ryzen series it is 85-95°C. In the FX line of computing devices, this indicator varies more strongly. For example, AMD FX-9370 has a critical threshold of 57°C. And the popular FX-6300 – 70°C.

ProcessorTDP power, WMaximum heating
Ryzen 7 3700X
65
95°C
Ryzen 5 3600X
95
95°C
Ryzen 5 3400G
65
95°C
Ryzen 7 2700X
105
85°C
Ryzen 5 2600X
95
95°C
Ryzen 5 2400G
65
95°C
FX-9370
220
57°C
FX-8350
125
61°C
FX-6300
95
70°C
FX-4300
95
70°C

How to reduce graphics card temperature

Overheating of graphics devices leads to trottling. Because of this, the clock speed and efficiency of digital asset mining decreases. It also increases the wear and tear on graphics cards. They are likely to break down faster than they pay off. Therefore, you should not allow the equipment to overheat. The temperature of the graphics card should be 65-75°C when mining.

Disabling GPU overclocking

Miners often increase the clock frequency of the equipment to increase the speed of calculations. Therefore, if there is excessive allowable heating, you should return the graphics chip settings to standard. It is likely that overclocking graphics cards was more than their capabilities.

If after returning to the standard settings the temperature of the chips became lower than 65°C, then you can raise the clock frequency again. However, you should do it step by step and monitor the heat readings.

Fan and heatsink cleaning

If overclocking of video adapters has not been done before, there may be a lot of dust in the cooling system. Because of this, the efficiency of heat dissipation is reduced. For cleaning, you need to first remove the computing devices. Then you should remove the dust from the fan and heatsink with a soft brush. However, this is possible on graphics cards that do not have a housing and a protective plate.

In another case, you will have to disassemble the equipment. To do this, it is enough to unscrew 4 bolts and remove the case. Next, you need to clean the cooling system from dust with a soft brush.

Before disassembling the video adapter, you need to read the terms of the warranty. It can “burn out” due to internal user intervention.

Fan repair

Sometimes the cooler of the computing device stops rotating or does it slowly. You need to try to lubricate it and check the operability. However, in another case, you will have to buy and install a new fan.

Replacement of thermal paste

Manufacturers recommend applying a new compound every 6-12 months. Thermal paste hardens over time, which leads to poor heat transfer. Replacing the composition in stages:

  1. Remove the case and protective plate.
  2. Remove the cooling system (only the board will remain).
  3. Carefully remove the remnants of the old thermal paste (you can use nail polish remover).
  4. Apply a new composition in a thin layer (0.3-0.5 mm).
  5. Put the video adapter back together.

Next, you need to connect the device and check the heating. A popular program for tracking the performance of computer hardware is MSI Afterburner. Also this software is used for the purpose of overclocking graphics cards.

What is the normal temperature of a video card when mining
Interface of the MSI Afterburner program

Improving the cooling system

If the power of the stock fan and heatsink is not enough, you can replace them. Aftermarket GPU coolers are sold in computer electronics stores. When selecting them, you need to consider the size of the PCB. A new cooling system may not fit the existing graphics card. There are also devices for heat dissipation based on liquids. However, their price is significantly higher.

Increase airflow

Organizing a good ventilation of devices will help to reduce the temperature of graphics cards when mining. In the computer case, install fans for air intake and output. If there is insufficient cooling, you can increase their number. Usually an average PC case can accommodate up to 4 fans.

Also, miners use a lot of GPUs for the purpose of mining cryptocurrencies. Video adapters are installed in regs – special cases for fixing the equipment. At home, they are more often placed on the balcony, so that the equipment is ventilated. However, sometimes this is not enough. In this case, large fans are placed in the racks with computing devices. They remove heat from the mining farm.

What is the normal temperature of a video card when mining
Equipped ring for mining

Programs for monitoring GPU temperature

It is important to monitor the heating of the equipment. This allows you to reduce the temperature of video cards in time when mining and avoid their breakdown. For this purpose, cryptocurrency miners use monitoring programs. Among them, MSI Afterburner and other software are popular:

  • GPU-Z. A simple application without unnecessary functions. Shows the current, low and high, as well as the average temperature of the GPU.
  • CPUID HWMonitor. Works on a similar principle to the previous application. Shows the temperature of the graphics processor.
  • AIDA64 Extreme. A functional program that displays a lot of indicators other than temperature. For example: voltage, power consumption, load of individual cores. It allows you to monitor the work of each device in the system.
  • RigOnline. It is suitable for a mining farm of many rigs with equipment. This is an online service that accepts parameters from all devices at once.

Tips for careful use of graphics cards

The life of graphics adapters determines the success of mining. There are rules, observance of which helps to increase the life of the equipment:

  • Ventilation and air conditioning. Graphics cards can overheat, so heat dissipation is required. Ventilation of the room will allow hot air to be expelled. You can also put in an air conditioner.
  • Overclocking. It is not recommended to greatly increase the clock frequency of graphics cards. This will increase the rate of heating of the equipment.
  • Control. It is necessary to monitor the power consumption and temperature. This will allow you to react in time to overheat mining devices.
  • Cleaning. Fans on video adapters suck air with dust that can settle. It should be cleaned once a month.
GeForce RTX graphics cardsThermal heatingPower consumption, W
3090
93°C
350
3080
93°C
320
3070
93°C
220
3060 Ti
93°C
200
3060
93°C
170
3050
93°C
130
2080 Ti
89°C
260
2080 Super
89°C
250
2080
88°C
225
2070 Super
88°C
215
2070
89°C
175
2060 Super
89°C
175
2060
88°C
160

Summary

GPUs in crypto mining last longer if they are not heated above 75 degrees Celsius. These are normal conditions for their operation. It is important to monitor heating indicators to avoid premature failure. Miners use special programs for monitoring.

If the equipment overheats, then you need to reset the settings to factory defaults (when overclocking), change the thermal paste and check the efficiency of the fans. You can also set a limit on power consumption (up to a maximum of 20%).

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What is an effective way to cool my mining equipment?

There are immersive heat dissipation systems. Devices are placed in a special dielectric liquid (Novec, mineral oils)

✅ What does immersion cooling system give?

Possibility to overclock video adapters up to 40%, absence of strong noise, protection from dust, space saving.

❌ Are GPUs used for bitcoin mining?

Due to unprofitability, almost no. It is recommended to mine BTC on ASICs (in April 2022).

❗ What digital assets are mined on GPUs?

Many miners earn Ethereum coins. However, ETC, ERGO, RVN and other cryptocurrencies are available for mining.

❔ When did mining come into existence?

Its history began with the launch of the Bitcoin blockchain network in January 2009.

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Author: Saifedean Ammous, an expert in cryptocurrency economics.

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