Hey guys. Most of you know my bad history with GTX780ti cards, and my Matrix just died (posted the issues in the Nvidia thread) so it was returned. So I've given Nvidia a miss and grabbed a Sapphire R9 290x Tri-X OC until next year when the GTX880's (or whatever they call them) are more mature. I'm not sure of safe temps etc on the 290x, I'm aware they run warmer than the GTX780ti. My current idle temps are 39c - 42c@120hz, if I set my monitor to 144hz (native res) the memory won't down clock on idle and it idles at 48c. I have done a re-TIM, wasn't impressed with what I saw when I took of the heat sink, the stock TIM flaked off and there was a little scratch on the DIE. The Re-Tim didn't noticeably lower temps, but I feel better knowing its done. This is with a stock fan profile and a ambient of 26c after 10x run of Metro Last Light Benchmark: I've been told to keep the VRM's under 80c is this true, the highest VRM temp I've seen is 85c. Thanks guys.
I think you're fine with those temps. Remember, the GPU on the reference 290x had a target temp of 95c, so if your GPU is staying under 80 then you're doing great. I'd have to check what the VRMs on my card run at, but the HardOCP review of some cards show VRM temps from 66-108c. http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013...rectcu_ii_oc_video_card_review/9#.VAWnp3lDu6k