Best Cooling For Non Overclocker

[tuffgong]

I'm currently using an Antec Lanboy with my P4 2.4 & Radeon 9800 Pro.

I'm upgrading to an MSI Neo4 Platinum, Venice 3000+ & 6800GT and giving my old system to my bro.

Would another Lanboy be too small to keep my new system cool? I am leaning towards a Sonata. I'd like a black case.

Also I know this is the cooling forum, but I want to purchase a good PSU-Case combo, and the Sonata has a 380w PSU. 350w was enough for my older system, but I'm the upgrade is pretty big.

Thanks

 

[imported_Kensai]

Maybe look into a Sonata 2 since it has a better PSU and increased thermal capacities.

 

[Jeff7181]

Lemme tell you what I have and see if that helps you make your decision...

Antec Performance 2 Workstation Tower
Antec TruePower 550 PSU
MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum
Athlon 64 3500+ (Venice) with retail heatsink/fan (overclocked to 2.6 GHz on 1.5V vs. 2.2 on 1.4 stock)
1 GB OCZ Gold PC3200 RAM
BFG 6800GT OC with NV Silencer 5 (overclocked to 400/1050 vs 370/1000 stock)
WD 36 GB Raptor SATA
Hitachi 7k250 250 GB SATA
Plextor PX-712A DVD+-RW
Acer 52x24x52 CDRW
USB 2.0 6-in-1 media card reader
Audigy 2 ZS
1 x Antec 80mm case fan (exhaust, connected to PSU's "fan only" connector to keep it quiet but still move air)
1 x Panaflo L1A 80mm case fan (exhaust, full speed)
2 x Panaflo L1A 80mm case fans (intake, full speed)

Idle, the chipset and CPU both stay about 31 degrees C with a room temp of 24 C. (CPU fan runs 2000 RPM when idle)
Right now with Prime 95 running for over an hour the CPU temp is 48 C, chipset is 38 C, and room temp is still 24 C. (CPU fan running @ 3250 RPM... maxes at 5000 RPM I believe)

Airflow through the case is important, especially having fans right by the CPU to remove the hot air ASAP, and a nice straight shot from the intake fans to the the rear of the case. I'll post of a pic of the inside of my case in a minute.

inside of my case

 

[tuffgong]

Nice setup...that looks like a good case. I do prefer cases with multiple fans instead of the new Antec ones with 1x120 in th back.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: tuffgong
Nice setup...that looks like a good case. I do prefer cases with multiple fans instead of the new Antec ones with 1x120 in th back.

Yeah, I like the case cause it's big. It's not the biggest, but it's definately not small. There's a lot of room inside to work with stuff, and a lot of room for air, which is beneficial to good cooling. Having a larger amount of air to disperse heat into means the air doesn't heat up as quickly, and having good airflow through the case means that air never really gets hot. The air coming out of my two rear exhaust fans is so cool that it barely feels warmer than the air coming in. The only hot air coming out is from the PSU, and the exhaust from my NV Silencer.

 

[Ike0069]

If you want superior coling, stay away fron the Sonata. It's made for silence at the sacrifice of cooling. Mine case temps run hot even after adding a 3rd 120mm fan, at Freezer 64 CPU cooler and a NV Silencer for my 6800 GT. The case just has very poor air flow.
The Sonata II made some improvements in this area, but IMO not enough.

 

[furballi]

Antec SLK3000B is a great case that will take two 120 mm x 38 mm Panaflo case fans.

 

[tuffgong]

thanks for the feedback guys...i used a PSU calculator with all the parts i had, and it came in under 350 watts. I think it was 329w exactly.

Would a 380w be ok, or should I go higher?

Athlon 64 3000+ CPU
6800GT
One HD
Two Optical Drives
Two Case Fans
4 USB Devices
Sound Blaster

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: tuffgong
thanks for the feedback guys...i used a PSU calculator with all the parts i had, and it came in under 350 watts. I think it was 329w exactly.

Would a 380w be ok, or should I go higher?

Athlon 64 3000+ CPU
6800GT
One HD
Two Optical Drives
Two Case Fans
4 USB Devices
Sound Blaster

I would go higher unless you pay for a PC Power and Cooling one. They make the best power supplies. They actually underrate their's. For example, my Antec TruePower 550 says it's peak power output is 550 watts. PC P&C's Ultra-Quiet PSU: Silencer 360 ATX has a peak power output of 400 watts. That would probably be right up your alley. The best voltage regulation of any manufacturer I've seen, 21 amps on the 12V rail, and it should be pretty quiet. The price is reasonable at $65 + shipping from them, or you could spend $76.50 + shipping and get the Silencer 410, which has a peak of 450 watts.

 

[furballi]

Shouldn't draw more than 300 watts. If you plan to overload the USB, then get an AC powered USB hub. Any quality 400 watts from Enermax or Fortron will do the job. Look for at least 20A on the 12VDC rail.

 

[tuffgong]

Thanks for the replies...I was wondering if this Antec PSU would fit the bill...I currently use a 350 True Power with my P4 System.

I can get the following PSU from someone for a good price.

PSU

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: tuffgong
Thanks for the replies...I was wondering if this Antec PSU would fit the bill...I currently use a 350 True Power with my P4 System.

I can get the following PSU from someone for a good price.

PSU

That power supply probably won't have a 6 wire PCI Express power connector for video cards. I'm not sure what type of adapters are available and how well they work so you might want to look into that before buying that one.