GPU temperatures are incorrect following the waterblock installation.
GPU temperatures are incorrect following the waterblock installation.
I recently put in an alphacool GPX pro 240mm AIO liquid cooler for my (not too common) zotac 1080 ti mini, since it tends to get quite warm. The temperatures in MSI AB (on air) used to be at least what seemed accurate—around 30 at idle and 85 under load. After installing the cooler, the GPU is now reading 18 degrees at idle and 25 at load. My PC lives in a fairly cool basement, but the ambient is about 18 degrees, so idling at that should be fine. I checked with a laser thermometer, and the backplate temps were in the mid forties at load. That suggests the GPU is actually warmer than expected. From what I've seen in full custom setups, a watercooled 1080 ti usually reaches about 45 degrees at load; the numbers here are way too low. This could mean something went wrong during installation—maybe a temp sensor was damaged.
It depends on the sensor placement and location. MSI AB only tracks the GPU die temperature (according to some sources). Other parts such as power delivery and memory will also generate heat, which appears in the backplate readings but not in the AB measurements. Regarding overall performance, the 240mm RAd might make a difference—usually a 120mm radius is enough, which is why hybrid cards come with them. However, 25°C still feels quite low. Temperatures have likely stabilized by then, as AIOs need time to reach a steady state due to fluid characteristics.
It depends on the sensor placement and location. MSI AB only tracks the GPU die temperature (according to some sources). Other parts such as power delivery and memory will also generate heat, which appears in the backplate readings but not in the AB measurements. Regarding overall performance, the 240mm RAd might make a difference—usually a 120mm radius is enough, which is why hybrid cards come with them. However, 25°C still feels quite low. Temperatures have likely stabilized by then, as AIOs need time to reach a steady state due to fluid characteristics.
Thanks for the update! I was also pretty sure AB was keeping an eye on the GPU die temperatures, which makes more sense. It's nice to have someone verify it. From other discussions over the past week, I found out that the VRM and power delivery modules will produce a reasonable amount of heat, which explains the need for thermal pads and similar components. Temperatures are now between 30 to 35 degrees Celsius, which feels much more reasonable. It's good to know the fluid in the AIO isn't just water and might behave differently; everything is stable during gaming or when not in use, and that's all fine.
I had a choice between a 120mm and a 240mm, and since there was only a three-dollar difference at the time, I picked the larger one. Overall, everything seems to be settling down, and I really appreciate the advice for someone new to liquid cooling.
All the best, and thanks again!
One more thing, how do I indicate a thread as solved or closed?
Even if it were merely water, its nature means it will need time to stabilize. Air coolers tend to reach their maximum temperature immediately, whereas liquids require a longer period—typically 15 to 30 minutes for safe operation. The current temperature range of 30-35°C still feels quite low, but a 240mm rad might be the factor at play. What ambient conditions are you experiencing? It’s nearly impossible to detect idle temperatures below ambient without using unusual cooling techniques, since air flow across the rad isn’t always zero. Choosing the right option as you did is enough to confirm the solution.