Undervolting/underclocking a GPU

It’s getting hotter by the day and it seems my new card can’t handle the heat. I’m currently using MSI afterburner to adjust the GPU settings. I want to underclock/volt my GPU to reduce heat. What settings should I fix first? Clock settings then volt or vise versa? Is there a good method into doing so to reduce heat?
Answer #1
What is the computer setup?
Answer #2
These freeware utilities might help you.
NiBiTor (Nvidia BIOS Editor)
nTune
Riva Tuner
I’m assuming you have read your new card manual thoroughly for hardware compatibility and any other issues.
Answer #3
It might be worth looking at changing your GPU cooler, Arctic Cooling Accelero range is good, if its still under warranty check to see if they allow changing it (many of the new cards allow you to do this now). What case and cooling set up do you currently have? Is there anywhere cooler you could situate your PC? (away from windows, it tends to be warmer near them due to sunlight, maybe somewhere shaded with a through draft of cooler air).
Answer #4
My PC setup is as follows.
8 Gb RAM DDR3
AMD FX-4100 Zambezi 3.6GHz AMD Quad Core
GTX 460
575 Watt PSU
Unfortunately, there is no other place cooler that I can move my PC. I was thinking of removing the side panel and just putting a desk fan in front of it but that is my last resort for it stirs up too much dust and takes up space. I have started to undervolt it, it still goes up to 80C when under max load. I’m using FurMark to check this.
Answer #5
not tried giving it a clean from dust ?
Answer #6
I do, it just piles up quickly. I would move it but there’s nowhere better to move it. I just don’t have the space
Answer #7
If you really want to underclock it, you should underclock it core and memory speeds first, then the voltage.
Undervolting the card will just cause the card but keeping stock speeds will make it unstable.
Answer #8
Just had a quick look around a few forums and 80c seems about right for a GTX460 under load (give or take a few degrees for ambient temperature).
Answer #9
80 degrees Celsius is normal for a case with poor ventilation in a hot day.