SPCR

Posted: **Tue Sep 21, 2004 3:42 pm**

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I can't find any reference by searching.

Do graphics cards have a temperature sensor just like CPUs do? If they do, is there any piece of software out there (or an MBM plugin) that will read that temperature?

If not, what is the correct way to measure VGAs temperatures?

I use mainly NVIDIA but also ATI sometimes and always mid to high end (I build custom workstations for the graphics freelancers and small companies).

Thanks

Posted: **Mon Oct 11, 2004 6:35 am**

Yeah, i'd like to know this too

Anyone care to enlighten us? Is it a plugin for MBM5 or somthing? Personally i have a msi gf5600fx, maybe its not possible to measure temps on every vga card, i don't know.

Thanks in advance

Posted: **Mon Oct 11, 2004 10:17 am**

Some do, some don't. I have one on my Leadtek 5900XT (model A350).

If there is one, you can apply a registry tweak so that the Nvidia reference driver can read the temperature. I'm still waiting for someone to code an MBM plugin...

Do a web search, and you may find the reg hack. I have no idea which ATI cards have temp sensors. Let us know what you find.

Posted: **Mon Oct 11, 2004 10:30 am**

Yeah i found it. Its the coolbits registry tweak. Unfortunately my videocard doesnt have a thermal sensor

Posted: **Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:25 pm**

Yeah, most of the older cards do not have them, but I believe that they're encorporating it into all of the new card models like the ATi X series and the new Nvidia line of cards as well.

Posted: **Mon Oct 11, 2004 10:05 pm**

IIRC, most of the nVidia GeForce-FX line has a temp sensor integrated in the core with a possible exception of the FX5200. The 9800XT is the first ATi card that has an temperature sensor included in the reference design - an external one with two measuring points. This means that most manufacturers will have included it. Earlier ATi's (9800pro and before) can of course have a similar sensor, but that is entirely up to the board manufacturer.

Not sure about the ATi X line but since nVidia includes the sensor I'm assuming ATi does too.

Posted: **Tue Oct 12, 2004 1:12 am**

I found some information about the coolbits tweak for the NVIDIA drivers. Tomorrow I'll try to see if it works with a 5900XT that's arriving and will let you all know.

Anything similar for those ATIs with thermal sensors on them? In other words, have you guys succeeded at reading the temps from an ATI card with sensors on it? I have only one 9600 Pro at hand, but I guess I'll receive some new X*** in the following weeks.

Posted: **Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:22 pm**

My built by Ati 9800 Pro does not have a thermal sensor on it

Posted: **Tue Oct 12, 2004 5:43 pm**

ATITool will show temps, so will the Overdrive panel in the new drivers but that's disabled on more or less random cards. I think the new Catalyst Control Center thingy shows temps but never tried it, it doesn't seem to think I have drivers installed...

Posted: **Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:22 pm**

SpeedFan detected the temp sensors on my 5900Ultra.
I renamed each one and now I can see my system, cpu, gpu, and vid memory temps, it's great.
I know of no other software that detects video card temps.
-Jason

Posted: **Wed Oct 13, 2004 12:29 pm**

Generally......

Nvidia's 5900 or newer, and Ati's of the XT or X** classes have the onboard sensors. There are a few older cards that do, but its not part of the reference design and therefore quite rare. (Tyan actually added a Winbond chip to some of their 9500P boards for a while)

Posted: **Thu Oct 14, 2004 3:07 am**

I can see the temps of my 6800GT just using the standard 61.76 driver for XP x64, no coolbits or other software was needed.

Posted: **Thu Oct 14, 2004 7:19 am**

Rusty075 wrote:Nvidia's 5900 or newer, and Ati's of the XT or X** classes have the onboard sensors. There are a few older cards that do, but its not part of the reference design and therefore quite rare. (Tyan actually added a Winbond chip to some of their 9500P boards for a while)

I'd like to add that ATI 9800Pro with the R360 PCB (=XT) has temp monitoring also. But these things are basically 9800XTs underclocked to Pro speeds.

Cheers,

Jan

Posted: **Thu Oct 14, 2004 2:53 pm**

Question:
How does one go about telling what kinda 9800 Pro one has?

Mine has the Samsung chips and red PCB Made by Ati
Is there an exact location for the themal sensor? Are the all in the same place? What does it look like so i know what to look for.

Really wondering what my temp really are on this board.

TIA

Posted: **Fri Oct 15, 2004 6:48 am**

It should be the LM63 chip you're looking for. It ought to be located in the same place as on the 9600XT's.

Posted: **Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:13 am**

Thank you VERY much for the link......... now to go look

Posted: **Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:30 am**

d@mn.............. just looked and it is missing...........
on my card it is on the top side of the card about 1/4" to the gpu side of the 16 pin IC chip.
There isn't one there

New link to my card http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=92
It is the first red pcb card

Thank you anyways for the help

SPCR

How to measure VGA temperature?

How to measure VGA temperature?