Do I need a new case?...

[imported_rod]

It's summer here in Australia, and the current temp here is 22C @ 80% humidity (cyclone weather). My CPU is running under full load at 1Ghz and 1.1V due to Cool 'n Quiet. The CPU is at about 34C, with the northbridge at almost 40C.

My cooling is all stock, except for the Zalman NB-47J on my chipset, after the ASUS one crapped out on me. Im considering getting a Zalman 9500 for the CPU.

My case is a fairly generic tower case, with 4 CD bays and 2 floppy drive bays. It has 2x80mm (Panaflo) intake fans at the front, another 80mm intake in the window, and two 80mm exhaust fans at the rear. It also has one 80mm and one 90mm fan in the PSU. Also, my cabling isn't great, but it is mainly tied up out of the way of the airflow.

Anyway, I'm just wondering about moving my rig into an Antec SuperLanboy or Thermaltake Soprano. Personally, I like the black Soprano best, as it matches all my black DVD drives.

My question is, how important is the case in regards to cooling. Will it help my temps much? I'm fairly sure it will reduce the noise if the new case has 120mm fans.

Sorry for the long post.
Thanks
RoD

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: rod
It's summer here in Australia, and the current temp here is 22C @ 80% humidity (cyclone weather). My CPU is running under full load at 1Ghz and 1.1V due to Cool 'n Quiet. The CPU is at about 34C, with the northbridge at almost 40C.

My cooling is all stock, except for the Zalman NB-47J on my chipset, after the ASUS one crapped out on me. Im considering getting a Zalman 9500 for the CPU.

My case is a fairly generic tower case, with 4 CD bays and 2 floppy drive bays. It has 2x80mm (Panaflo) intake fans at the front, another 80mm intake in the window, and two 80mm exhaust fans at the rear. It also has one 80mm and one 90mm fan in the PSU. Also, my cabling isn't great, but it is mainly tied up out of the way of the airflow.

Anyway, I'm just wondering about moving my rig into an Antec SuperLanboy or Thermaltake Soprano. Personally, I like the black Soprano best, as it matches all my black DVD drives.

My question is, how important is the case in regards to cooling. Will it help my temps much? I'm fairly sure it will reduce the noise if the new case has 120mm fans.

Sorry for the long post.
Thanks
RoD

Your ambient case temperatures can never go lower then the temperature outside your case with fan cooling. The case reall does not have much to do with cooling generally speaking. What processor do you have? I do not believe it is necesary for you to get a new case, especially if you CPU is only running at 1 ghz at those temps.

But if you do have a problem with the 80mm fans then 120mm fans will be much quieter.

 

[suszterpatt]

The case is only important in the aspect of the fans it lets you install. The fans themselves and good airflow is what really determines your temps. A case can help you by allowing many and/or large fans, and enough room to get the cables out of the way.


That said, those temps don't look that high to me. How hot does the CPU get at full load (2 GHz)? A new heatsink is likely to rid you of this problem, no need for a new case imo.

 

[imported_rod]

Thanks guys.

The CPU, at full load (2GHz) gets into the 40's. The temps above were for an amvient of 22C. Here, in sumer, when there's not a cyclone around, the ambient often reaches 35C, and it's not uncommon for it to reach 40C or even higher.

Does that change much?

RoD

 

[thisbarb]

If you're CPU HSF is stock, those are normal temperatures. If it's not, consider upgrading to an XP-120 or Big Typhoon or even water cooling. Slap some AS5 or Ceramique and your temperatures will drop like hell.

 

[thisbarb]

Lower your ambient temperature and youre CPU temperature will go down. Best cooling option would be...


GET AN AIR CONDITIONER.

 

[imported_rod]

I think the humidity is also making a difference. The temps weren't this highin spring, when the ambient was in the 20's, but humidity was ~20%.

Anyway, the main reason i asked was that before summer, my CPU would idle at about 28C. But it's increased by 6C since the start of december.

I might do some work on the cables, and if that doesn't help all that much, then I might get the Zalman 9500.

RoD

 

[thisbarb]

Good cable management will improve your airflow marginally (several degrees at best).

 

[imported_rod]

BUMP