How might I get my GPU temperature down?

Question

My computer keeps crashing on account of my GPU temperature. When idle it stays around 56 degrees and it is completly fine, but when I begin to play games (such as Shogun 2), the temperature seems to skyrocket. it goes above 80 degrees and the temperature remains very high (I believe it also reaches high 90s).

I'm wondering what might be causing such high temperatures? I understand accumulation of dust can cause higher temperatures, but I find it hard to believe that mere dust can cause such high temperatures. 

Things which may be relevant:
ATI Radeon HD 5770
The case is the same as the one used for the Acer Aspire M3641
I would tell you the power supply, but I do not know.

Masked Musketeer · Accepted Answer

The high temps are caused by poor ventilation and dust.

If you are using an acer desktop, it's very likely that your case has very poor ventilation because mainstream desktops are not designed for heavy gaming, but rather for regular use.

You might want to upgrade your case to something that is bigger and has support for 2 or 3 extra fans.
Also, clean out the dust in your fan sinks.

For example, an Antec Three Hundred or a Coolermaster RC690 ADV II.

Anonymous · Answer

If you live in a dusty house then the heatsink can become completely filled with fluff and dust, in these situaltions a small paint brush and a vacuum cleaner can be very useful. (remove the card first so that you can see what you're doing).  However, these temperatures aren't that uncommon with graphics cards.  Over 90 is excessive, but under that there's no need to panic.  Of course though CPUs need to be cooler than graphics cards.

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How might I get my GPU temperature down?

2 Answers