Any Advice To Control Case & CPU Temps

kdbonds

Junior Member
Oct 2, 2004
3
0
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Brand new to these forums, think I'll stick around.
Hello Everyone,
I just recently put together a new computer system for myself. I made the mistake early on and was a little to eager to get a case so i picked up any case that i thought looked descent. I didnt take into consideration cooling, and now that I have a little bit more experience in building these computers I realize one of my errors. Anyway, I am looking to control my computer temperatures a little bit better. Here are my specs for the computer.

-MSI Neo2 Platinum 865PE Motherboard
-Intel Pentium 4 Processor 3.0Ghz (c) - it has a Northwood core
-I replaced the stock fan/heatsink with a Spire Cooperstream 2 CPU Chiller
-Pinnacle 3200 DDR Ram - 1 gig
- Antec True Blue 480 Watt Power Supply
- Leadtek Nvidia Geforce 5700 Ultra DDR2 128MB
- Plus all the bells and whistles (ie, floppy, DVDRW, wireless net card, SB Audigy Sound card, 2 hard drives).

I've purchased and installed rounded IDE and floppy cables to help control the airflow. Wires are still a little bit all over the place because of the power supply (so many connections). I also used Artic Silver 5 when installing the processor.

The case that I have is a Powmax Dreamstar Black Case. Here is the link for the case: The problem is that it is not the greatest case for cooling but better then some that I see. The case came with one 80mm side window fan. There is no room in the front of the case to put a fan. The case didnt come with any fan for the back so I purchased an 80mm Antec fan. I think one of my main problems is that both of the fans are blowing air out. No intake.

Right now, I'll start the computer up and after POST and loading up into windows CPU temperature levels out to about 42 celc. And generally it will stay that way if im doing general surfing on the web, aim, non heavy intensive applications. However if I load up a game like Unreal Torunament 2004 or Doom3 processor pushes to about 51 - 52. After I stop playing the game the processor levels out to about 49 Celc. So it seems like there isnt enough heat being dissapated. So even afterwards, if i do something like play Doom 3 again then the processor pushes up to about 60 celcuis and levels off again to about 49/50 after I finish playing.

I'm intrested in lowering the processor temperature to prevent longterm damage. My understanding was that the Prescott core runs a lot hotter then the Northwood core, this was one of the reasons why I purcahsed the Northwood. I've purchased two items to help with airflow in the case which is the following:

- Speeze System Cooler:Speeze System Cooler Ill throw this in a PCI slot right under the Video card to help get rid of some of the heat generated by it .

- Ultra 5.25 Bay Freezer with 2-60mm fans:Ultra 5.25 Cooler this goes into the 5.25 bays and supposedly cools the system by providing intake and exhaust. (you can find this on tiger direct)

I was wondering if anyone else had any other ideas to help cool the system better then what it is already? These parts shoudl be coming within the next few days. I plan on turning the window fan around so it can be an intake fan and then throwing the other parts in there? or does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks for all the help.

pics of the case to help with any suggestions:
pic1
Pic2
pic3
pic4
Tiger Direct Specs For Case
 

LifeStealer

Senior member
Sep 22, 2004
706
0
0
Clean up the PSU mess for one. If you're interested in replacing the PSU you could get a better one with more fans in it for better cooling. I'm not sure if you have room on the top but you could cut out a blowhole up there.

If noise isn't an issue and you REALLY want it cool then buy a couple Vantec Tornados. They will move air, alot of air.
 

kdbonds

Junior Member
Oct 2, 2004
3
0
0
Any way in particular to clean up the mess? There are a lot of wires, should i wire tie them and maybe put them behind the mother board? Or throw any extra wires in the bays?Im not to sure if I want to cut a hole in the top of the case but if it gets to bad then thats an option. You suggested getting a Vantec Tornado...will i see a huge difference in the temperature drop?
 

orion446

Member
Sep 6, 2004
114
0
0
Post a picture with the side of the case off, It will take about 200 hours for the AS5 to settle down and you might see a 2 to 5c drop in temps. Put the 80mm intake in the front of your case and sleeve your PSU wires or get someone to do it for you. Use zip ties to tidy up your PSU wires , If they are long enough you can run them behind your motherboard tray. Wire loom is another way to get the wires in check and you can find forums with case galleries that have some real neat pics to help you clean up your case.
 

kdbonds

Junior Member
Oct 2, 2004
3
0
0
Life Stealer and Orion, I want to thank you for your advice. I've cleaned up the power supply wires as well as reversed the side window fan. I replaced it with a thermaltake fan and I also installed a 5.25 bay fan. HUGE improvement over what it was before. I am now idling at about 38 celc with average usage about 44. Playing games goes to about 50 and not any higher. Thanks again!!!!