In an SLI, could overheating cause freezing?

It seems whenever I enable SLI on my computer, it has random freezes...Well, when I don't have it enabled (Now), I ran Tess_Mark_0.2.2, and it seems GPU 1 is WAY overheating... GPU 2's max was around 60 degrees Celsius...Where-as GPU 1 went ABOVE 103 degrees Celsius before I killed the test...Could it be that when in an SLI, GPU 1 is overheating and causing the instability?

Over heating could cause freezing. Are your GPUs the same model? I hear SLI will work if they are different, but not well. Take out one of the GPUs, run your benchmark tests, record the data. Power down, remove the GPU and place the other in, run the benchmark tests, record the data. See if there is any significant difference in their run speeds. You mention disabling SLI and running the test, seeing one GPU raise in temperature... but that's probably because it was only using the one GPU.Run your computer a while on 1 GPU installed, see if the freezing still occurs. If not, Run it for a while with the second GPU installed and see if the freezing occurs. I can't imagine SLI causing the overheating, so if one of the GPUs overheating is causing the freezing, it should be overheating and freezing while it is the only GPU installed.

103 celcius is far too high, the protection mechanisms should kick in around 100.

TirithRR · #2Over heating could cause freezing. Are your GPUs the same model? I hear SLI will work if they are different, but not well. Take out one of the GPUs, run your benchmark tests, record the data. Power down, remove the GPU and place the other in, run the benchmark tests, record the data. See if there is any significant difference in their run speeds. You mention disabling SLI and running the test, seeing one GPU raise in temperature... but that's probably because it was only using the one GPU.Run your computer a while on 1 GPU installed, see if the freezing still occurs. If not, Run it for a while with the second GPU installed and see if the freezing occurs. I can't imagine SLI causing the overheating, so if one of the GPUs overheating is causing the freezing, it should be overheating and freezing while it is the only GPU installed.

Perfect... It WAS GPU 1.... When I remove what I assume to be the second one (The lowest one), It freezes IMMEDIATELY upon logging in, with the second one in (In the slot the first one was in), no freezes...

Loonylion103 Celsius is far too high, the protection mechanisms should kick in around 100.

Then I really did get a bad GPU >.>

I would suggest rather than being a 'bad' gpu, the airflow in your case isn't good enough. While it is possible that the thermal paste has dried up on the card, its not likely considering its age, and if the fan/heatsink is blocked by dust then a can of air (air duster) will see to that.

Replying to #5

Airflow is GREAT in this case...Over 7 fans. >.<

Replying to #5

Probably not the issue then...

Replying to #5

I don't own a can of air to find out. :(

Replying to #6

having 7 fans does not necessarily mean good airflow. What matters is where the fans are, which way they operate and the layout of the components inside the case. In some cases its possible to have too many fans, resulting in decreased airflow.

Replying to #7

3 Fans on the front, 2 on the top...and 1 on the side(I believe it's the CPU fan?), so I guess it's only 6...AFAIK, the front ones suck it in, and the top ones blow it out...

there should be at least one on the back drawing air out. Side and top fans can interfere with airflow. CPU fan is the one attached to the heatsink, a side fan is built into the side panel of the case.

Replying to #9

Now that I feel around, the 2 top fans suck in, the 3 front ones blow out, the side fan, i've no idea, and there is a back one, yes.

yep its all wrong. In at the front, out at the back. top and side generally feck things up. if anything the top ones should be out because hot air rises.

Replying to #11

And I could actually be telling you all wrong to. >.<I'm just guessing by feel...

feeling both sides of a fan should make it obvious which way its blowing unless its a shit one that moves hardly any air.

Replying to #13

They're ALWAYS between 1400 and 1900 RPM...

rotational speed doesn't indicate air movement capability.