Desktop is way too hot, im not a complete noob but desperate

[jerkdiggler]

:frown:

Coolermaster ATCS 220 case and Athlon 2600 system with a Zalman AlCu Heatsink w/ 120 mm fan. The ATI RADEON 9800 Pro gets hot to the touch and the CPU hovers around 55c or higher during basic internet tasks but soars up to 65c and sometimes 70c during video games.

The case is oddly crafted for some reason. Exhaust only fans at the top and back of the case. I would think it would need an intake fan at front bottom of the case but instead there are just usb ports. I probably should have considered it when purchasing but the case looked too nice to pass on.

Any adjusments anyone can suggest? I was considering looking for an intake front bay fan.

 

[unprecedented]

You really need some intake if there is none, because currently you have -ve case pressure. If your temps dont improve you remove your heatsink from the cpu and check is there is any thermal grease left from when you installed the heatsink. Do all that, then let us know how it goes...

 

[jerkdiggler]

i can check or reapply the thermal grease but im not sure how to add an intake fan to my case. Should I go with the front 5.25" bay approach or maybe a pci approach? I suppose I could try and flip the backside fan around. Which way should I go on the fan?

If this sheds light on things, everest says the CPU is at 40 deg celsius and the CPU diode is at 55 deg celsius. Should there be that large a difference between the core of the cpu and the outside of it? that is what that means right?. The motherboard is at 33 deg celsius and the CPU fan is at 1487 RPM (should it be faster?).

 

[unprecedented]

Front and low for intake is always good. But it depends on how your system is setup....Mine is in the front of the 5.25" bay.

 

[jerkdiggler]

when putting my case door back on, the cpu diode temp rose to 63 celsius and the cpu to 46 celsius but the motherboard stayed around the same. I assume this means the lack of intake is causing a problem. Im going to try and turn the back case fan around and see what happens.

http://img221.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn05557kv.jpg]

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[unprecedented]

Yeah if u turn round the rear case fan that should help, plus try clean up some of that IDE ribbon, cos that would b blocking off any movement of air.

 

[jerkdiggler]

Originally posted by: unprecedented
Mine is in the front of the 5.25" bay.

are you talkin bout the actual bays used for cd-rom's etc? If so what kind of fan is it and where'd you buy it? I cant find one anywhere.

 

[unprecedented]

Yeah i put an extra fan in the cd-rom bays. I only use one of my 5 bays, so i thought it was a good idea to put a fan there. I'm using a SilenX 120mm Fan http://www.pccasegear.com.au/category139_1.htm
I got these L bend braces, im not sure what they are really called but they are 'L' shaped and have a screw hole on each flat. This is so that i can secure the fan to the metal that seperates the CD bays from the HDD bays. I know your probably in a diff country, so unfortunately that link above is for an Australian website, sorry if its no help.

 

[jerkdiggler]

update:

with case closed, and exhaust fan switched to an intake fan, the temp has cooled to 58 C on the cpu diode and 40 C on the cpu, motherboard still the same.

My next move is to buy some round IDE cables to clear up some of the clutter and then possibly get a Video Card cooler or a Bay fan. Still havent tried checking the cpu thermal paste. Im on it tomorrow since it takes quite a bit of effort with the zalman being screwed right into the motherboard.

 

[unprecedented]

Good work, and i hope the rest turns out well for ya!

 

[jerkdiggler]

UPDATE:

I added coolermaster thermal grease to CPU and the temp decreased from 58 to 56 or 57 C

Not satisfied with that but ill take it. I opened the case to see what diff that would make. CPU drops to 49 C.

I still have an airflow problem I assume. Not sure how to handle it from here. I'm going to start with swapping to Round IDE's.

 

[Nirach]

It's possible to mod your spare 5.25 inch bays to take some intake fans. You can happily get an 80 in two, or a 120 in three. That should add some airflow, not the best place for the intake, but it's better than none.

If you get stuck for ideas when it comes to modding, http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=37&threadid=1769512&enterthread=y has a few ideas, and I'm sure that some googling and dry runs (Paper designing) would help.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Link, they put 80s in the bottom=bad idea, noise and dirty intake air.

http://www.techaddicts.net/atc220mod/atcsmod1.html

*If*you can remove the right side panel this would be a snap.

Cut a hole low in the front of the right side panel and install a 120x25mm fan at about
60cfm. It should clear the lower drive bays by atleast 20mm. Use an external fan grill of
choice. The air will be drawn past the important componets by the exhaust fans.

I suggest the right instead of the left panel because you might not want to cut the window,
if there is one on your case.

That's an older case and a decent link was not easy to find.

Anyway, that's what I'd do.

...Galvanized

 

[Nirach]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
Link, they put 80s in the bottom=bad idea, noise and dirty intake air.

http://www.techaddicts.net/atc220mod/atcsmod1.html

*If*you can remove the right side panel this would be a snap.

Cut a hole low in the front of the right side panel and install a 120x25mm fan at about
60cfm. It should clear the lower drive bays by atleast 20mm. Use an external fan grill of
choice. The air will be drawn past the important componets by the exhaust fans.

I suggest the right instead of the left panel because you might not want to cut the window,
if there is one on your case.

That's an older case and a decent link was not easy to find.

Anyway, that's what I'd do.

...Galvanized

Depends if he has the tools to do the cut and removal of the excess material for a fan hole.
Tempting to try that with one of my poorly cooled cases, though.

 

[jerkdiggler]

ya im a noob when it comes to modding like that, I've got a nice pocket knife and some basic tools but nothin like a soddering iron or drill.

I'm going to be temporarily just leaving the case door open during gaming and considering a pci or some sort of front bay exhaust or intake depending on what i want to use the back fan as (intake or exhaust).

 

[dunringill]

I recently modded an old HP case for my son that had no intake. I placed a 120mm fan on the right side (low toward front), marked a circle using the inside of the fan, marked the location of the mounting holes, covered the outside of the panel with clear shipping tape and cut a hole with a jig saw and drilled the mounting holes. Mounted the fan on the inside, plugged it in to a spare molex and now have nice airflow through the case. This particular case was a plain steel side plate so it was easy. I have also done the same with cases that have plexiglas windows. You just have to cut slower or the plex will melt as you are cutting and require more finishing to get a professional look.

 

[KBTuning]

buy a new case... they are like 30 bucks on newegg....

 

[jerkdiggler]

Originally posted by: KBTuning
buy a new case... they are like 30 bucks on newegg....

lol, buying a new case would be more of a pain in the butt then modding this case. I'd have to move everything over.

Are these really my only options? Are there intake fans desigined to fit in the extra floppy drive spot I have available?

 

[jerkdiggler]

note:

laying the case on its side with case open (open end up) keeps the temp at 50 C whereas keeping it open but upright pushes the temp to 58 C. Whatsup with that? Ya think the top fan is faulty? I wish I knew someone else that had this case to compare temps with etc.

 

[fireontheway]

Cutting an intake hole is fairly easy with a hole saw.Just be sure to install a filter to avoid dust.These fan filters are commonly available for 80,90 & 120mm sizes.Another option is to water cool your rig. You have a nice case by the way although a little outdated i still would not replace it with a $30 el cheapo one.Good luck.