Advice on temperatures and keeping the peace!

[patrickmacdonald]

I've just set up a new system, aiming for best performance, but maximum silence!

At the moment, I have the zalman cpu fan up at the max speed, so I could reduce the speed of the fan.... but will it do much damage to the cpu?

Idle CPU temp : 34
Idle MB temp : 32

Maxload CPU temp : 42
Maxload MB temp : 40

Is a 2 degree difference between MB temp and CPU temp usual ? it seems strange to me!

Can I afford to reduce the cpu fan speed.... if so, what temp should I start worrying about?

I am worried that my radeon may be too hot.... is there any way to moniter the temperature of the gpu?

I've only got one fan sucking air into the case.... and it is placed right next to the cpu, so I think it helps alot to keep the cpu cool.... but should I add an extract fan at the top of the case, or another fan sucking air in at the bottom of the case? ...

 

[SladeZero]

Hey there,

Actually those temps are good. The 2C just means that your airflow is good and allows the temps of your CPU
to only vary a few. That is really the best you could expect without going to a louder fan that puts out
more CFM. General rule of thumb from alot of people is a max of 50C. I find though that I get instability
issues before then. If you are concerned with noise back the fan off a little at a time and check the
temps each time you do. This will help you out alot.

Hope this helps

SladeZero

 

[patrickmacdonald]

thanks for the reply...
I just wanted some confirmation that I wasn't stressing my system too much....

I can't work out what to do next to reduce the noise levels more.... I'm tempted to get a baraccuda hd to replace the THREE smaller drives I'm currently using.... I'm sure that would reduce alot of the idle whining of the drives....
Apart from that, it could only be the psu that could be causing alot of the noise..... and I'm not sure if I could get a psu that would actually be much more quieter.....

 

[BG4533]

What is your current PSU?

Personally, I would reduce the speed of the Zalamn fan on the processor and add another quiet case fan. Throw in a Panflo L1A or another quiet fan.

You said the only case fan is blowing air right on the cpu. Is this a fan in the rear of the case, or a side window? If it is from the rear, it may be recirculating warm air from the PSU.

For more ideas check out 7Volts.

Brian