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

[Gabe Rubin]

On Wed, May 9, 2012 at 5:59 AM, David Watkins <watkinshome at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Second, what are my options?  I just ordered some thermal paste and
>> will take the heatsink off, blow compressed air through it and the fan
>> (although it does not look there is much, if any, dust in either) and
>> apply some thermal grease.  Are there any other solutions?  Would a
>> third party heatsink/fan be a good option and if so, can anyone
>> recommend one that will not take up more space than the current one
>> does?
>
> Does the heatsink itself feel excessively hot?
>
> If the die temperature is too hot then either:
>    the chip is generating too much heat,   or
>    the heat can't get into the heatsink fast enough,  or
>    the heat can't get out of the heatsink fast enough.
>
> The first option seems unlikely, while the temperature of the heatsink
> should give a clue between the second and third.
>
> If the chip is at 100C then I'd expect the heatsink to be too hot to
> touch.  If the heatsink is not that hot then improving the contact
> between the chip and the heatsink might help.  Don't be tempted to use
> too much thermal paste.  Concentrate on making the surfaces clean and
> shiny (polish them) and ensuring that the heatsink sits squarely on
> the chip. Use the thinnest layer of paste that you can apply evenly.
>
> If the heatsink is too hot then you need to improve the airflow.  A
> better heatsink is likely to just delay the point at which the chip
> overheats.


Yes, the heatsink is hot.  Very much so.  I think I gave myself a
small blister taking it out of the case a minute or two after I shut
it down.  Could this mean that the heat sink itself it damaged?  I am
still going to try the thermal paste either tonight or early next
week.  Hopefully that will work.  I am not sure how much more I can
improve airflow.  Granted, there is a firewire card pretty close to
the heatsink, but there are no dangling cables and there is a space
between the two.  Aside from removing the PVR-350 and moving the
firewire card to that slot (not ideal as I lose a capture device and
my IR receiver) or spending about 20-30 for a PCIe firewire capture
card so there is a free slot (and I am not certain either will work),
I am not sure what else I can do.