I just bought a GTX470 for gaming and for BOINC Cuda work. When it is fully loaded (which is all the time), it is too hot to touch but the nVidia Control Panel reports that the fan is normally at 61%. Sure, it is possible to crank it up higher, but the noise level is too much and unless it was set to 100%, it might cause problems if ever 100% cooling really is required during summer months.
MY SOLUTION
Get a fan from an old HDD cooler (you know, the two fan types that have thin fans of about 60mm) and strap it to the side of the graphics card using tie wraps.
I measured the airflow from the back of the GTX470 with and without the additional fan. The anemometer I used would not lie flat against the back of the GTX 470, so the readings may not be absolutely correct, but they do give relative results):-
GTX470 fan at 59%, no extra fan, airflow = 1.7m/s
GTX470 fan at 59%, extra fan fitted, airflow = 2.0m/s
GTX470 fan at 100%, no extra fan, airflow = 4.3m/s
GTX470 fan at 100%, extra fan fitted, airflow = 4.5m/s
Fan speed as reported by Control panel when set to auto = 61%
Fan speed as reported by Control panel when set to auto, extra fan present = 55%
A standard 80mm fan also works but is a bit trickier to line up correctly.
CONCLUSION
- The extra fan adds some airflow at all GTX470 fan settings.
- The extra fan must be making the GTX470 run cooler because the onboard fan speed is lower when fan control is set to auto.
Comments welcome......


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What does EVGA precision (or similar monitor) say the temp difference is?


