Cooling a system

[Mr Bob]

Right now I have around 4 fans inside my computer. Even when the side of the box is off, I still feel excess heat coming from the computer.

What can I do to ensure that my system does not overheat? It is under a large desk, and the airflow isn't too bad.

Should I get a big fan, and place it next to the computer?

 

[ssvegeta1010]

Well, there will always be heat coming from it.
You might want to download a program to monitor temps but with 4 fans it probably will be fine.

EDIT I saw your sig

 

[Mr Bob]

Here is what I run:

ASUS P4P800-E Delux
Intel P4 3.0Ghz
Seagate 120GB Barracuda SATA Hard Drive
ATI All-In-Wonder 9800 Pro (128 MB)
NEC 8x DVD+RW/-RW Drive
Sony 48x DVD/CD+-RW Drive
PC3200 1GB (2x512MB) Dual-Channel Optimized 400 MHz - CAS 2.0
Raidmax Scorpio 868 ATX
420W PSU

What program do you suggest?

 

[Mr Bob]

any takers?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Some cases run cooler with the side panel on instead of off, airflow is messed up with the panel off.

Your power supply and exhaust fans should be pushing hot air out of the case, that's how it gets cool inside.

How are your fans set up? The normal way is with intake fan(s) in front blowing air into the case, and exhaust fan(s) in back pushing hot air out.

Have you checked temps? If you aren't overheating it doesn't matter that the case is getting warm.

 

[Mr Bob]

My room gets to be around 90 degrees. So I assume that is good for my computer, but bad for anyone who enters my room.

I haven't checked my PC temp just because I am not sure exactly how to do that. I looked at Motherboard Monitor, but I believe it requires some sort of chip that needs to be placed on the actual mobo (not sure if I am correct, or even if I need to do this).

I have some knowledge about this kind of stuff, but if you haven't noticed I am still learning

 

[DaveSimmons]

The PC Health / Health monitoring section in the BIOS will give you a crude temp reading for whatever sensors the motherboard has built-in, usually for the CPU (from its own sensor or one in the socket) and for the motherboard itself.

Just run the computer for awhile, reboot, go into the BIOS.

 

[Mr Bob]

What is a good average temp to be in, as well as what are the low/highs? When should I be scared?

 

[stevty2889]

Use motherboard monitor. It doesnt' require you to put a chip on the motherboard, it reads from the temp sensors that are already there. Just install it, and choose your motherboard model, and you'll be all set.

 

[Mr Bob]

Ok, I will give it a shot and report back. Thanks for the help on this

 

[Slowlearner]

Asus has a free utility called PC probe. Download and install it. Temperatures in the 95 - 105 deg F should be Ok

 

[Mr Bob]

Great! Once my RARs stop compressing, I will give this a shot. I can't believe it takes a couple hours to compress a few gigs.

 

[iamtrout]

90 degrees in your room? That won't be good for the computer. The colder the environment (before condensation sets in) the computer works in the better. Many think 50C for the CPU is high, so below 50C is good.

 

[Mr Bob]

The current temp seems to be fine CPU @ 105F & MB @ 120F.

How do these specs look?

http://66.246.140.40/anandtech/output_specs.JPG

 

[DaveSimmons]

Those 2 readings are reversed (CPU <-> MB), MBM gets the sensor numbers wrong on some motherboards. But yes those are reasonable for a hot room.

 

[Mr Bob]

We have two A/Cs in our house. It is one floor, and my room is the only one that reaches 5 degrees more than what the reading on the A/C unit is.

Right now, my computer feels pretty cold. I will post some readings when it gets hot though and hopefully get some feedback.

 

[tweeve2002]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Those 2 readings are reversed (CPU <-> MB), MBM gets the sensor numbers wrong on some motherboards. But yes those are reasonable for a hot room.

Those reading could be right...My CPU runs 5 degrees C cooler then the rest of my system.

 

[stevty2889]

Were those your temps at idle or under load? Kinda odd that the cpu is cooler than the rest of the system.

 

[Mr Bob]

Those were temps under normal conditions with a very small load.

 

[Nessism]

I wouldn't be overly concern about temps unless something is wrong with your system. Standard desktop systems, like Dell/HP, run perfectly fine with simple cooling solutions -stock CPU cooler/fan, standard power supply fan, and maybe one extra case fan. If there was a benifit of adding fans, they would do it.

The only thing to consider is if you are going to overclock to a high level, in this instance the cooler system will allow you to reach a margionally higher max speed.

Good luck.

Ed

 

[Mr Bob]

I don't want to overclock it just because I would rather get a lot more life out of the PC.

Thanks for the help &amp; information