Cooling question(s)

[movingincircles]

Hi

I recent grabbed a deal from Fry's electronics.
this deal included a 2.4 ghz boxed p4 and an ECS 848p-a (1.0 i think)


then i bought a cheap case which included no fans what so ever.


Anyways, everytime I play games, my cpu temp increases (stays around 50-55 c) and my fan speed increases to about 5273 rpm (seems like thats the maximum speed). I don't overclock or do any of that stuff, but I want to lower the CPU temp.


Questions:

First of all, is this normal? Should I worry about this?

Will a case fan help the CPU temp?

What should I get to reduce the temp or fan speed/sound?

 

[Rix13]

you definately should get at least two case fans, one in the front pulling air in and one in the back pushing hot air out. If noise is a concern check out the Panaflo Low's L1A model or the SilenX 80mm 14dBA 2200rpm 28cfm Case Fan you cant really get much more quiet then that

 

[movingincircles]

i do have a vantec stealth fan that I just bought right now for 10 bucks.

should i install that or is there something cheaper?

 

[Rix13]

vantec stealth fans are good fans.. i would get another though.. one for in and one for out..

 

[movingincircles]

ummm i just looked at my case right now

It "does" have a front side, but it doesn't have airholes. Is it still alright to install a front side (sorry I'm new to the p4 world)?

 

[Rix13]

yeah most low end cases dont have air holes in the front.. the usualy get the air from a small opening at the bottom of the front of the case. As long as there is a place to mount the fan in the front then hopefully someone engineered it properly to intake air

 

[movingincircles]

thanx!

 

[Rix13]

let us know how it affects your temps..