We first measure GPU temperature while the card is sat idling at the Windows 10 desktop for 5 minutes. Gaming GPU temperature is recorded by running the Deus Ex benchmark at 4K. As a maximum stress test, Fire Strike Ultra Stress Test is run 5 consecutive times and the cards’ GPU temperature levels are recorded.
Ambient room temperature was held at around 23°C.
If you are wondering why the Gaming X Trio idles at 44C – significantly warmer than the other cards on test – rest assured, it is not a problem. The card features MSI's Zero Frozr technology which means the fans do not spin when the GPU temperature is below 60C. This means it is warmer when idling, but the benefit is obviously zero noise emissions.
In terms of load temperatures, the Gaming X Trio performs fabulously – a peak reading of 71C is very impressive for a GTX 1080 Ti, so the triple-fan cooler clearly does the business.
Moving on to our thermal images, and as expected there is nothing to worry about here. We noticed a hotspot on the rear of the card, just above the MSI logo and LED strip, but that peaked at just over 61C – well within thermal limits. On the side of the card, the hotspot here was also positioned above the MSI logo, and that peaked at 66.1C. So nothing at all to worry about, the Gaming X Trio cools very well.