Cooling concerns after some upgrades...

[Bacstar]

I finally got my new system together and have some cooling concerns.

I'm using a Coolermaster Cosmos that still has the stock 120mm cooling fans. The components:

Phenom II 965 OC to 3.6ghz
ASUS Crosshair III Formula
4gigs Corsair XMS3 DHX
2 - XFX Radeon HD4890 in Crossfire
1 - HDD
1 - DVDR-RW
Zalman cnps9700 LED
Corsair HX850W power supply

I was using the fan headers on the motherboard for the case fans at first, but temps were +5 degrees celsius higher than just running them directly off the powersupply. One other thing that changed from my previous setup was the CPU fan now blows from bottom to top instead of from left to right. The fan clip orientation has changed with this motherboard. The vidcards also are more of an obstruction to airflow now due to the dual 6-pin PCI-e power connectors on each vidcard.

Idle temps with the case closed were decent

CPU: 39 C
NB: 60 C
SB: 54 C

but as soon as I go to full load when I fire up LOTR Online

case closed

CPU 58-60 C
NB 70-73 C
SB 61 C

Case Open

CPU 54 C
NB 70 - 73 C
SB 54 C


One thing i should probably mention too is that I'm still waiting for the HX850, so the system is currently on an HX620 and it is probably maxed out. It's definitely running a little warmer than usual.

I've decided to replace all my case fans with higher CFM fans, so I have them on order. However, I'm not sure if this is going to be enough. Since the cpu fan blows from bottom to top, the coolings fins on the upper heat pipe only get airflow from the rear exhaust fan. I've also got a little fan now blowing on the fins of the NB, but it seems to be cooling the SB more for some reason. There is some sound insulation on the side door panels I'm tempted to remove but I like how quiet the system is now with them in place, so I'm looking at any other suggestions or options that anyone can recommend.


Thnx...

 

[MisterDonut]

swapping out exhaust/intake fans can do wonders sometimes

 

[Bacstar]

Yeah that's what I'm hoping too. Being in Alaska, we don't have many options when it comes to buying computer parts, so I do a lot of sitting here thinking of what if's until parts arrive

 

[MisterDonut]

Oh man, Alaska ? Yeah, the exhaust/intake really could do some magic if your room is as cold as the polar bears . Honestly, I don't know AMD enough to tell you if they have serious heat issues, but those temps seem mildly high for somebody living in Alaska (mine sit at low 30's idle, 50-52 on load w/ prime, California). But again, I don't know enough about AMD to confirm, sorry !

EDIT: For some reason, I thought you had a TRUE too...haha, disregard the high temp statement

 

[Bacstar]

Hehehe...well I do try to keep the house at a comfortable 72 degrees F during the winter.

I found this while browsing Best Buy online.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Antec+-+...&skuId=8013339

I'll probably pick one up on the way home if I dare. Driving's been kinda treacherous the last few days....roads are pretty slick with all the snow.

 

[MisterDonut]

Haha good luck with the roads, though I wish it snowed here =/. What case fans did you order? Having a low CFM fan chillin' in the middle of airflow MIGHT mess it up (But that's just what I think. I've never tested it or read any tests on it)

 

[Bacstar]

Haha good luck with the roads, though I wish it snowed here =/. What case fans did you order? Having a low CFM fan chillin' in the middle of airflow MIGHT mess it up (But that's just what I think. I've never tested it or read any tests on it)

I lived in So. Cal most of my life. I just moved up here 5 years ago, and it's actually nice seeing the seasons actually change. It definitely helps that I got snow tires and a remote start this year

These are the fans I got from TigerDirect. They were the highest cfm fans I saw from both TigerDirect or Newegg. The 140's though have sleeve bearings but by the time I noticed it was too late.

Aerocool Silver Lightning Quad White LED 140mm Case Fan (Q131-3024)

Ultra Performance 120mm Case Fan - Dual Ball Bearing (ULT40135)

The little fan I got from Best Buy did help. I have it boosting the airflow from the right side of the case to the left side just . I placed the fan where I noticed a "dead zone" of air flow. There was a noticeable difference in my temps, but eventually, temps would climb to the same highs as before. It would just take longer to get there. I still don't have enough "fresh" air cycling through the intakes, so these new fans should help with that.

BUT

As I was examining the case for other options, cleaning air filters, etc. last nite, I discovered that the removable front panels were perforated, but still had the metal covers for the 5.25 inch drive bays behind them, so I knocked those out and put a spare 120mm fan I had laying around, and that helped out tremendously. Temps are now 5-10 degrees cooler all around from there max's I listed earlier. Now, I may have more dust accumulating inside the case, so I'll have to find a filter of some kind. (hehehe something to do while a wait out the winter i guess)

Oh well...still it's probably time to change these fans out anyways since it's been a couple years.

 

[MisterDonut]

I've been to hot and humid places, but I've never gotten a chance to actually live where it snows constantly. Sounds like it'd be fun .

Haha now those temps sound better . I haven't read any performance reviews on Aerocool, but as for sleeve bearing, they should ok as long as you don't store them away for too long (My ZM-F3's are sleeve bearing too). Maybe if all else fails, you can just hang your computer out of the window and let the blizzard do the REAL cooling . Modding the case if you have a non-modular PSU and wires sticking out everywhere might improve airflow.