Updated at: 08-02-2023 - By: Leo Hall

One of the worst things you can do to your computer is let it overheat, as you’ve probably already heard. Unfortunately, the high temperatures your computer experiences during use are to be expected. You are concerned that the issue will spread to other areas of your computer.

If you are concerned about the temperature of your computer, you are already ahead of the game. By reading this article to its conclusion, you will learn how to reduce the temperature of your GPU by yourself.

What Does a GPU Do?

In recent years, graphics processing units (GPUs) have rapidly risen in prominence as a key component of both home and enterprise computing. The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is a type of computer hardware used in a variety of contexts, most notably the rendering of visual media such as movies and animations. In spite of their widespread notoriety as a gaming component, graphics processing units (GPUs) are also finding increasing application in the fields of creative production and AI.

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The original purpose of GPUs was to speed up the display of 3D graphics. They improved as time went on, becoming more adaptable and programmable. This paved the way for improved visual effects and photorealistic environments by empowering graphics programmers to implement sophisticated lighting and shadowing methods. Other programmers started using GPUs to drastically speed up various tasks in deep learning, HPC, and other fields.

GPU and CPU: Working Together

The graphics processing unit (GPU) was developed to assist its more central processing unit (CPU) kin. While central processing units (CPUs) have improved their performance thanks to new architecture, higher clock rates, and more cores, graphics processing units (GPUs) are built to speed up graphical processing. Knowing how the central processing unit (CPU) compares to the graphics processing unit (GPU) can be useful when searching for a new computer.

GPU vs. Graphics Card: What’s the Difference?

Even though graphics processing unit (GPU) and graphics card (or video card) are often used interchangeably, there is a slight but important difference between the two. A graphics card, which is an expansion board, contains the GPU in the same way that a motherboard contains the central processing unit. In addition to the GPU, this board features the plethora of components necessary for it to function and communicate with the rest of the system.

There are two primary varieties of GPUs: integrated and discrete. The graphics processing unit (GPU) of an integrated device is built into the motherboard alongside the central processing unit (CPU). To put it simply, a discrete GPU is a dedicated graphics processing unit that comes with its own circuit board and plugs into a PCI Express slot.

Integrated Graphics Processing Unit

These days, integrated graphics processors (IGPUs) make up the vast majority of GPUs available. How does your computer’s integrated graphics work, and what exactly are they? Thinner, lighter, and more cost-effective systems are possible with a CPU that includes a fully integrated GPU on its motherboard.

When it comes to integrated graphics, nothing compares to Intel® Graphics Technology, which features both Intel® Iris® Plus and Intel® Iris® Xe graphics. When integrated into a system, Intel® Graphics allows for a more realistic visual experience without sacrificing performance or battery life.

Discrete Graphics Processing Unit

Integrated graphics processing units (GPUs) can be used effectively in many computing applications. However, a discrete GPU (also known as a dedicated graphics card) is better suited for the task at hand when a lot of resources and performance are required by the application at hand.

These graphics processing units (GPUs) increase computational capacity but at the expense of higher energy usage and thermal output. Discrete graphics processing units typically need their own cooling systems in order to function at peak efficiency.

The graphics processing units (GPUs) of today are more programmable than ever before, enabling a wide variety of uses beyond mere graphics rendering.

What Are GPUs Used For?

The primary use of graphics processing units (GPUs) 20 years ago was to speed up real-time 3D graphics applications like games. At the turn of the 21st century, however, researchers in the field of computer science began to see the promise of GPUs in tackling some of the world’s most intractable computing challenges.

The era of general-purpose GPUs began with this discovery. These days, graphical methods are used to solve a wider variety of issues. Now more than ever, GPUs can be programmed to speed up a wide variety of non-graphics-rendering tasks.

GPUs for Gaming

Hyperrealistic graphics and expansive, intricate game worlds have increased the computational demands of today’s video games. Increased graphics processing requirements can be traced back to the proliferation of VR gaming and other applications that require high-resolution displays (4K screens, high refresh rates, etc.). Graphics processing units (GPUs) can display both 2D and 3D visuals. Better graphics performance allows for higher resolution, higher frame rates, or both when playing games.

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GPUs for Video Editing and Content Creation

Many creative professionals, including video editors, graphic designers, and others, have had to deal with slow rendering times that waste time and resources on computers. GPUs’ parallel processing has made it much quicker and simpler to render HD video and graphics.

Intel’s CPUs and GPUs are both top-notch, providing uncompromised performance. Improved performance and additional features are now available for gamers and content creators thanks to Intel® Iris® Xe graphics. Intel® Iris® Xe graphics, designed specifically for 11th Gen Intel® CoreTM processors, are built right into the system, making them ideal for Ultra-thin and light laptops. Intel’s first discrete graphics product in 20 years, Intel® Iris® Xe MAX, is included in some high-end laptops.

Enjoy fluid, immersive gameplay anywhere in 1080p with support for Intel® Iris® Xe MAX, which was developed to deliver superior graphics performance and media capabilities. Even though they were using a portable, lightweight laptop. When using 11th Gen Intel® CoreTM processors, Iris® Xe MAX discrete graphics, and Intel® Deep Link Technology, AI1 performance is increased by 1.4X, and single-stream video encoding is sped up by 2X, compared to using a discrete graphics solution from a 3rd party. 3

GPU for Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are two of GPUs’ most promising use cases. Workloads that can take advantage of GPUs’ highly parallel nature, such as image recognition, can benefit greatly from the enormous computational capability that GPUs incorporate. Today’s deep learning methods often require GPUs and CPUs to work together.

What Are the Causes for a High GPU Temperature?

Understanding the root causes of GPU overheating is essential for finding long-term solutions. If the hardware in your computer is functioning normally, the problem is almost certainly with the software.

The temperature of your GPU will rise if you use GPU-intensive software for an extended period of time. Games, photo and video editors, 3D modeling programs, etc., all fall into the category of software that places a heavy demand on the graphics processing unit.

An overheated computer and subsequent software crashes are possible outcomes of prolonged use of this program in this manner.

How to Lower GPU Temperature

What follows are four strategies for bringing your GPU temperature down.

Method #1: Clean the Dust Off the Fan

One of the most common causes of inefficient fan performance is the buildup of dust on the blades. You can have it professionally cleaned, or you can do it yourself by following these instructions:

  • You’ll need a can of compressed air, a screwdriver, and some alcohol wipes.
  • Remove the video card and clean it.
  • Use the screwdriver to disassemble the video cards.
  • The graphics card has a cooler that can be untwisted and removed.
  • Turn off the fan so it can be cleaned.
  • Compressed air can be used to blow off any remaining dust from the cooler and the fan.
  • To clean the fan blades, simply use an alcohol wipe.
  • Dust off the graphics card and wipe it down with alcohol wipes.
  • Just let it air dry.
  • Follow your previous steps again to put everything together.

Method #2: Replace the Thermal Paste

Heat is transferred and dissipated with the aid of thermal paste. You may not notice that the thermal paste has worn away or burned off due to heat until you take apart the GPU parts.

  1. To get to the necessary parts, you’ll need to open the graphics card’s housing.
  2. Remove the heatsink by unscrewing the components on the opposite side of the graphics card. Pull out the screws.
  3. Get a soft material and wipe the heatsink and its environs clean of any remaining thermal paste.
  4. Reapply thermal paste by instructing it to make an “X” shape. When you reassemble everything, it ought to be fine.

Method #3: Improve Airflow

Even if the fan is running at full speed, it will be ineffective if there is not enough air circulating through the housing. To make it more efficient, we can:

  • Either add more fan housings or more fans are needed.
  • Be mindful of how you arrange your cables so that they don’t trap heat or obstruct airflow.

Method #4: Underclock Your GPU

To prevent the GPU from overheating when it is overclocked, an additional fan must be connected to the computer. Reverse the steps you took to overclock your GPU to slow it down and underclock it.

If you want to keep your GPU cool, you should also keep your GPU drivers up to date.

Why Should You Reduce Your GPU Temperature?

In addition to improving software performance, keeping your GPU cool protects the rest of your computer from malfunction.

A graphics card’s built-in protection mechanism against permanent damage to the computer is a hard shut down when the temperature gets too high. However, serious damage to the computer can result from persistent overheating if the system is not shut down.

Symptoms of Overheating GPU

Such symptoms indicate that your graphics processing unit (GPU) or computer is overheating.

  • When the graphics processing unit reaches a predetermined temperature, the system reboots. Experiencing an unexpected shutdown of your computer could be a sign of overheating.
  • Smell of burning: If you detect even a faint odor, such as that of burning or melting wires, you should investigate.
  • A fan’s exhaustion-induced buzzing noise occurs when its use exceeds its capacity.
  • Overheated computers respond slowly because they can’t perform at peak efficiency. Overheating can sometimes halt progress and even cause freezing.

FAQs

What GPU temperature is too high?

As long as the GPU’s temperature is under 194 degrees Fahrenheit (90 degrees Celsius), it can be controlled. However, the GPU can’t handle temperatures higher than that. And if the temperature inside the computer does not drop or continues to rise, the machine may shut down.

How To Lower Your GPU Temperature (9 Ways)

Why is my gaming laptop overheating?

Dedicated graphics processing units (GPUs) and integrated GPUs are standard components in gaming laptops. Overheating could be a result of problems with the laptop’s dedicated GPU if it occurs. You should be wary if the overheating occurs frequently, especially when you aren’t using any resource-intensive apps.

Can my GPU temperature be too low?

It’s not too cold if your GPU isn’t close to freezing. And high temperatures will be even more damaging.

Conclusion

If you take care of your graphics card, your computer will last longer and perform better. Maintaining consistently low temperatures is crucial if you want your graphics card and computer to last as long as possible and perform at peak levels.

Lessening your GPU’s temperature with the methods provided is easy and inexpensive. You shouldn’t ignore the overheating; instead, find a way to reduce your GPU’s temperature that you’re most at ease with.