My Heat Issue

[joe_chonk]

I recently built the computer in my signature. It runs good and I am very happy with it; although, I am having a issue with heat in my computer.

The processor is: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...116-185&depa=1

I was unhappy with my temps (50C idle) with the heatsink that came with my CPU so I decided to buy a new heatsink. I got the Thermaltake Jungle512 hoping to cool things down a bit. When I installed the new heatsink the temperature went down about 2 deg when idle. I was glad that it helped, but I was hoping for a more drastic temperature drop.

Today I decided to do a little "experiment" because I noticed the 80mm fan on the top of my case was pushing out a lot of heat.... I took of the side panel of my case and let the computer sit idle for about 15 minutes with Asus Probe open to record the temperatures. The temperature slowly got cooler after I took the side off and it got down to 42C and stayed there. When I put the side panel back on and left the computer running idle for another 15 minutes with Asus Probe open the temperatures slowly began to rise and it reached 48C again. I was suprised to see this 6 degree change just from the case being open/closed.

I have three 80mm fans in my case. One on top (pushing air out), one on the side (pulling air in) and one in the back (pulling air in). Is this a good setup or should I switch some of the fans around. I am not to knowledgable with cooling because I have never had issues with it. This is the first "nice" and expensive computer I have built (not too expensive but it is for a 15 year old).

1. Should I change my fan setup? If so, how?

2. Are these temps okay?

3. When under full load what should the max temp be for this processor?

[bailey]

that cpu does run warmer, maybe better case cooling would be you problem solver.
you really don't need to worry too much about heat with a p4 as they will automaticaly slow them selves down if thay get too hot, till they cool off.
you can't hurt them with heat.
better air circulation in the case and don't wory about the temp is my recomendation.

[Spaz06]

Originally Posted by joe_chonk I have three 80mm fans in my case. One on top (pushing air out), one on the side (pulling air in) and one in the back (pulling air in). Is this a good setup or should I switch some of the fans around. 1. Should I change my fan setup? If so, how? 2. Are these temps okay? 3. When under full load what should the max temp be for this processor?

I would turn the fan around in the back and have it blowing out. You may see several degrees decrease in your temps. The temps are fine, but you maybe able to lower it a little by changing the fans position.

[Byte 2.0]

yea, depending on where the fan on the back of the case is in relationship to the CPU, reversing it may help. Generally, the fans on the back of the case are for exit.

If it is about the same height as the CPU, then it should be exit, or it will push heat from the CPU to the front of the case and trap it there.

[Cricket]

Also make sure all the wires and cables are kept out of the air flow paths in the case. Bundle the wires together and route them away from the CPU heatsink. Since the air flow is from lower front of the case to upper back, imagine how the air moves through your case and make sure the wires and cables are not blocking this flow pattern.

And if the fan ports have really small vent holes, you might want to take a Dremel and cut the preforated sheet metal out and just have 1 big hole for air to move through. This will really help increase air flow through the case.

Cricket

[joe_chonk]

Alright, thanks for all the input guys. I do not know if I should switch my fan in the back around or not because my heatsink is really big and the fan seems to kind of put more cool air on it. I am not sure though. I will post here later today with a picture so you guys can help me decide. I am going to post a picture of my case to so I can get your input about my wire managment. Thanks again.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by joe_chonk Alright, thanks for all the input guys. I do not know if I should switch my fan in the back around or not because my heatsink is really big and the fan seems to kind of put more cool air on it. I am not sure though.

You should flip the rear fan around anyway just to see if the temps go down or not...how else will you know?

With computers it's never a good idea to assume anything. It does you no good to just think about something...you gotta take action to validate your ideas.

Cricket

[BustaRomeo]

My understanding is that for heatsinks to work the air needs to flow around it (duh), but not by blasting as much air as you can onto one area. You need one fan getting air to the heatsink, and one fan that will take the air out, almost like the exit for a stream, that way less hot air can be trapped in, and more cool air is breezing past. I experimented with my fans, although I only have two, one is very powerful, I mean, 5000RPM at least, and I have that blowing onto my CPU all the time, and keeps it very cool. The other fan blows air out. When I made the weak one blow air in and the strong one out, my temperatures in the CPU and system rose by at least 8-9 degrees more when the system was under strain.

[joe_chonk]

I turned my fan in the back around so now it is pulling air out. This did make a difference. My CPU temperature is now 44C idle. Thanks for all the help.