GA-870a-UD3 insane NB temperature

[jolphil]

Hi all
I have just assembled my new box with the above motherboard and started to run Memtest86 ver 4..
I discovered that the North bridge temperature Heatsink was extremely hot to the touch..
I got out my Infra red therometer and started to test around..Everything is relatively cool (27-34C) this includes the
SB HS running around 34C and the Sythe Mugen2 CPU cooler around 30C but the Northbridge temperature is in the lower 70's..
This is insane!!!  To make matters worse Gigabyte chose to cover the top of the NB heatsink with a plastic looking Gigabyte logo..
What were they thinking?Maybe this is so you will not get burned by touching it..
I can not imagine any top notch engineering company doing this? My guess is the MTBF(mean time between failure) rating of this chip is down in the mud..
I am not sure yet how to handle this issue, but it is totally unacceptable to me..
Has anyone else observer this issue?  Maybe it is advisable to check your own Mother board Northbridge temperature.
I will report more on this as I gain more information..

[Dark Mantis]

I have noticed several other threads on the same sort of lines on the forum here. If you do a search you can probably pull them up.

[jolphil]

Thanks DM,
Yes, even Google has this issue online for the GA870a-UD3 board..Some think it's a faulty sensor but it is just over dissipation
with the provided heat sink area..The worst part If I do anything to correct the problem that Gigabyte could and would
void the warranty..So you are stuck between a rock and a hard place..The only thing I can do is install some kind of direct
air flow from a blower fan, and or play with the NB voltages or both..There is also a physical problem as it is located just near the CPU heat sink and is difficult to set up any kind of fan..On line they also mention overheating of the FET's but I have not even engaged that problem yet..
 If I can get the temp. down to 50C or so I'll be happy but i don't know..
jolphil

[Dark Mantis]

There are several ways to get around this problem. The first is to make up a bracket out of acrylic/plexiglas which is easy to mould into the correct shape that you need and dill etc or there is a quite  useful fan on a flixible arm called the Antec spot cool that would fit easilly.

[jolphil]

DM,
Thanks for the tip about the Antec fan..I probably have decided to fashion some sort of Fan and direct it towards the hot Chip..
I have an abundance of computer fans of all sizes and also have acrylic plexiglass  lying around in my garage..
The problem is going to be how to direct the fan output into that tight spot to get sufficient airflow and thus best cooling effect.
Again thanks for the suggestion and I will get back asap.
jolphil

[Dark Mantis]

Actualy I am just purchasing a couple of this type of flexible armed fan and you can see them here if you are interested.

http://www.candccentral.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=368

A lot will depend on the size of fan that you plan to use. If it is fairly large like 120mm the same as I am going to be using then it really doesn't have to be that accurate.

[fadsarmy]

NB always run hot. My Intel mobo had a NB temperature of 90 C and after 3 years it is still going strong. According to Gigabyte the NB can run safely upto 105 C.

I've always used a downward facing cpu cooler that cools the NB too like the Antec Shelf or Noctua NH-C12P SE14.

[Dark Mantis]

That is often the problem when the stock cooler is replaced it keeps the CPU much cooler but usually it has the opposite effect on the surrounding components as most fans blow sideways.

[jolphil]

NB always run hot. My Intel mobo had a NB temperature of 90 C and after 3 years it is still going strong. According to Gigabyte the NB can run safely upto 105 C.

Hi thanks for the information I looked for the temperature  of that chip but could not locate it anywhere..
Most commercial epoxy chips come with a 70C max raring..Thats why I was concerned..Hermetic sealed chips usually are 125C..
If's it's not a pain, could you send me the link..
Thanks again,
jolphil

[bytheway_r]

I had the exact same problem with a GA-MA770T-UD3P. I'm assuming that most, if not all, Gigabyte motherboards with this kind of heatsink are experiencing extreme NB temps. Myself, I've swapped the heatsink with a Thermalright HR-05 IFX. It was very hard to mount it with Scythe Mugen II installed as there was hardly any space. If you were to go down this road then my advice would be to remove the CPU heatsink first.

Frankly, this NB temps issue disappointed me some. Especially when the heatpipe design of mid-level boards is quite good.

[Dark Mantis]

I would have to agree there and think that this is one cost cutting exercise that doesn't come off really. For the sake af another pound or two they could have had proper cooling on the Northbridge too.

[absic]

Just to throw my thoughts into the mix here, it is worth checking that the Thermal Paste has been applied properly to the NB. I've come across a couple of instances where all that was needed was for the Thermal Grease to be replaced to resolve high NB Temps.

[fadsarmy]

If's it's not a pain, could you send me the link..
Thanks again,
jolphil

I would but the reply is in my Gigabyte technical support inbox. I do have a link for a different board:

http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php/topic,1000.0.html

[jolphil]

Thanks all,
Well with a fan directed towards the North Bridge, the temperatures at the NB heat sink is a manageable 49C..I also measured
the FET's that drive the CPU and they also run about 50C.. All temps were measured with my Extech Infra red thermometer..
I have previously checked calibration of this device with a thermo couple and it is fairly close..
I feel this is manageable and will do nothing more to destroy my warranty with Gigabyte..This is my very first GB board coming from
Abit and mostly  Asus, and I too feel disappointed..I guess they neutered this one to set the price under a buck(100)...
But on the bright side maybe it will exceed my expectations and run well...
I will be posting a new thread with a different problem...
Again thanks to all you folks,
Happy Holidays to All,
jolphil

[Dark Mantis]

I am glad that it has all turned out ok and your temperatures are more reasonable now. I donn't forsee any problems with the board at that level especially and it should last for years.

Happy Christmas to you too.