I'm also interested in any possible EASY ways of cooling the GPU's a bit. Dual 6990's run really hot. Well, so did all of my GPU's in all my other replacement computers. However, my 6990's run full load at 105-106º celsius.
Edit: I'd also like to mention that, I think there is a problem with the heat causing the GPU to downclock or something? I'm not very efficient in coming to a conclusion with 'problems' in general. All I know is that, when I had dual 6950's, I could play Metro 2033 on high, and it was possible to play on extreme or whatever in some areas (where, in other areas it would stutter quite a bit). Now, with Dual 6990's, I can run the game on extreme, but, after a short while of playing, my computer sounds like a jet engine, and it begins to stutter a lot. I then downgraded to 'High' quality, and it was still stuttering quite a bit.
However, I beat F.E.A.R. 3 on max settings without so much as a problem.
You can add more fans to the system and set the PCI-E fan curve to run a little higher. Mine is set at 15% when idle. When I take out my sound and tv card to run my third 480 I bump it to 20% idle.
How? Where in the BIOS does it allow me to do that? I'm unfamiliar with a lot of BIOS tinkering.
Do you also think it's my GPU temps lagging my games?
Could you direct me to a few helpful threads? Could you suggest a good size of fan; or a good fan in general for the Area-51 ALX with those ginormous GPU?
Thank you for your help, by the way!
P.S. I should also point out that after reading a few posts based on fans, I can safely say that I have no idea what I just read. Also, I have a feeling that I'm going to need to go to a PC doctor or something to get one or two installed. :(
Do I have to remove my soundcard if I run dual 6990's; or is this unavoidable? (Mainly to drop the temps)
Suggest a fan from either Noctua or Scythe? I hear a lot about their quality. Noctua's fans maybe around $20, but I'm not worried about price; just quality.
Sound card can go in the bottom x16 slot. That will keep both cards running at x16.
I am running 3-way sli and 2-way sli with a x1 slot sound card and tv card. When I am not using a game that needs more power I pull the middle card and install my sound and tv cards there. So far the only game I run 3-way for is...Civ V. No joke. The game is a monster.
Only thing is when you use the last slot it only runs at x8. Upside is you can get two x1 slots instead of just the one if using the top two slots. For you I would use the top two slots since it is how the system will remain.
As far as fans go get anything you like. I went with what i did because I didn't need a fan controller for the Ultra 120's and the Scythe is quite for it's cfm.
You can do it yourself. It is just 4 screws and the power plug. Very easy. If you look close enough at the back you can see the 4 holes for it. I would set it to blow out of the case and then set the PCI-E fan in command center to use the curve or turn it up yourself before you start a game.
I'm not sure how much the temps will drop with just the rear fan. I did all my fans and once and then checked the temps. Adding the rear fan lets you reverse the CPU fan so im sure you will get lower temps im just not sure how much.
Look at the fan and you will see two sets of arrows. They show the airflow direction. The curve is the setting you use in command center. You can set the fan to run at a set speed or use a sensor to increase its speed as it gets higher.
Morblore, did you have your scythe blowing in or blowing out; I bought one. Also, do you think I should tinker with the fans in the Command Center for Alienware? And, I'm not very techy when it comes to tinkering with anything on the inside; the most I've done is mess around with graphics cards. Should I have a PC doctor do it? I'm just installing it to the back of my PC. Do I only need one to lower temps fairly well?
OsirisEG
1 Rookie
•
91 Posts
0
June 25th, 2011 07:00
I'm also interested in any possible EASY ways of cooling the GPU's a bit. Dual 6990's run really hot. Well, so did all of my GPU's in all my other replacement computers. However, my 6990's run full load at 105-106º celsius.
Edit: I'd also like to mention that, I think there is a problem with the heat causing the GPU to downclock or something? I'm not very efficient in coming to a conclusion with 'problems' in general. All I know is that, when I had dual 6950's, I could play Metro 2033 on high, and it was possible to play on extreme or whatever in some areas (where, in other areas it would stutter quite a bit). Now, with Dual 6990's, I can run the game on extreme, but, after a short while of playing, my computer sounds like a jet engine, and it begins to stutter a lot. I then downgraded to 'High' quality, and it was still stuttering quite a bit.
However, I beat F.E.A.R. 3 on max settings without so much as a problem.
Any advice?
morblore
2 Intern
•
2.4K Posts
0
June 25th, 2011 23:00
You can add more fans to the system and set the PCI-E fan curve to run a little higher. Mine is set at 15% when idle. When I take out my sound and tv card to run my third 480 I bump it to 20% idle.
OsirisEG
1 Rookie
•
91 Posts
0
June 26th, 2011 09:00
But, is there an easy way to apply another fan? Is there a fan that is the 'go-to' fan? I'm not sure where to put it, and how to wire it.
Do you think my analysis is right about it being too hot and downclocking?
Also, that memory OC reset is still there. :(
morblore
2 Intern
•
2.4K Posts
0
June 26th, 2011 15:00
You can search the forums here for all the info you need on the fans. There are many posts with walk throughs and pictures.
Did you go into the BIOS and set the memory back to 1866?
OsirisEG
1 Rookie
•
91 Posts
0
June 27th, 2011 00:00
How? Where in the BIOS does it allow me to do that? I'm unfamiliar with a lot of BIOS tinkering.
Do you also think it's my GPU temps lagging my games?
Could you direct me to a few helpful threads? Could you suggest a good size of fan; or a good fan in general for the Area-51 ALX with those ginormous GPU?
Thank you for your help, by the way!
P.S. I should also point out that after reading a few posts based on fans, I can safely say that I have no idea what I just read. Also, I have a feeling that I'm going to need to go to a PC doctor or something to get one or two installed. :(
OsirisEG
1 Rookie
•
91 Posts
0
June 27th, 2011 12:00
Do I have to remove my soundcard if I run dual 6990's; or is this unavoidable? (Mainly to drop the temps)
Suggest a fan from either Noctua or Scythe? I hear a lot about their quality. Noctua's fans maybe around $20, but I'm not worried about price; just quality.
morblore
2 Intern
•
2.4K Posts
0
June 27th, 2011 21:00
Sound card can go in the bottom x16 slot. That will keep both cards running at x16.
I am running 3-way sli and 2-way sli with a x1 slot sound card and tv card. When I am not using a game that needs more power I pull the middle card and install my sound and tv cards there. So far the only game I run 3-way for is...Civ V. No joke. The game is a monster.
Only thing is when you use the last slot it only runs at x8. Upside is you can get two x1 slots instead of just the one if using the top two slots. For you I would use the top two slots since it is how the system will remain.
As far as fans go get anything you like. I went with what i did because I didn't need a fan controller for the Ultra 120's and the Scythe is quite for it's cfm.
Search the forums and you will find all the info and walk throughs you need to do it. Here is a link to one with some info and pics http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/p/19331658/19694335.aspx#19694335
morblore
2 Intern
•
2.4K Posts
0
July 8th, 2011 15:00
You can do it yourself. It is just 4 screws and the power plug. Very easy. If you look close enough at the back you can see the 4 holes for it. I would set it to blow out of the case and then set the PCI-E fan in command center to use the curve or turn it up yourself before you start a game.
I'm not sure how much the temps will drop with just the rear fan. I did all my fans and once and then checked the temps. Adding the rear fan lets you reverse the CPU fan so im sure you will get lower temps im just not sure how much.
morblore
2 Intern
•
2.4K Posts
0
July 8th, 2011 15:00
Look at the fan and you will see two sets of arrows. They show the airflow direction. The curve is the setting you use in command center. You can set the fan to run at a set speed or use a sensor to increase its speed as it gets higher.
OsirisEG
1 Rookie
•
91 Posts
0
July 8th, 2011 15:00
Morblore, did you have your scythe blowing in or blowing out; I bought one. Also, do you think I should tinker with the fans in the Command Center for Alienware? And, I'm not very techy when it comes to tinkering with anything on the inside; the most I've done is mess around with graphics cards. Should I have a PC doctor do it? I'm just installing it to the back of my PC. Do I only need one to lower temps fairly well?
Thanks again for your insight, Morblore. :)
OsirisEG
1 Rookie
•
91 Posts
0
July 8th, 2011 15:00
So, put the sticker facing inside the case? Also, what's 'the curve'? xD
morblore
2 Intern
•
2.4K Posts
0
July 14th, 2011 16:00
You need a 92mm fan for the rear. Take it back and exchange it for the right size. Try Newegg or you can look for a Compusa if you live in the states.
Any of these would fit http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007998%20600035583&IsNodeId=1&name=92mm