Hi everyone! I'm currently having an issue with my GPU fans driving me crazy while playing World of Warcraft. When I launch the game, my GPU temperature spikes to around 83 degrees Celsius, with the hotspot hitting about 105 degrees. This makes my fans run at about 3,300 RPM, and the noise is unbearable. I've heard that undervolting my GPU might help reduce fan noise and temperatures, but I'm a bit apprehensive about trying it since I don't have much experience. How much voltage should I ideally lower on my GPU? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
5 Answers
Definitely let us know what GPU you have; that matters! If it's a bit older, and you're comfortable opening it up, consider putting in some fresh thermal paste and pads. If it's newer, focus on improving your case airflow. Undervolting is easy; just look up a guide specific for your model and you'll be all set!
You didn’t mention which GPU model you have, but every card is unique. Check forums to see what others with the same card recommend. Undervolting typically won't damage your hardware; the worst that could happen is a driver crash or Windows crash.
I forgot to mention—I'm using an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070. I know crashes can happen, but I want to avoid random messing around if I can!
If you're playing WoW often and really depend on your PC, it’s a good idea to clean your GPU and apply new thermal paste and pads. Undervolting is generally safe, so you should be fine trying it. A good starting point is to aim for 900mV while keeping the same frequency. Before you undervolt, I suggest running a stress test with FurMark for about 10 minutes to see what your stable core clock is.
You absolutely won’t damage your GPU by undervolting. The worst that can happen is a crash, and you can easily reset it. Just find an undervolting guide online for Afterburner—it's usually a straightforward process. You should be able to undervolt the 3070 down to around 825mV.
It sounds like your problem might not just be the fans. If your GPU is indeed running that hot, it could be an issue with dried thermal paste. I recommend reapplying it or taking it to a pro who can help. High temperatures can seriously impact your GPU's lifespan!
That's a solid point, if he wants to keep his GPU running well, that's the way to go!
I recently installed two new Be Quiet! fans, so my airflow should be good. I really think the issue is my NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070.