flexATX system getting too hot - any recommendations?

[duuuma]

Link

I've got this Gigabyte GMax series FlexATX system and bios shows cpu temps are running at 61C with my P4 1.6ghz with a stock Intel HSF. Either the hsf or psu fan is adjusting and getting really loud also.

space inside is cramped, so no additional room for more fans, so I'm wondering if cutting a customer blow hole over the HSF will assist in bringing down my temps. Looking for any suggestions on cooling it down. Here's what I think will help:

blow hole
upgraded HSF
AS3


Any of your tips would be great, thanks!

 

[mechBgon]

Airflow is what you need. I swore off getting any more of these cute little mini-systems after having a BookPC that could NOT be kept cool, or quiet either Anyway, yeah, if you can put an intake fan on the side somewhere, that should help. Unless you can drop the interior temperature, it's not likely that AS3 has much to offer.

Also, if your P4 1.6 isn't a Northwood 1.6, and you have access to a Northwood, drop that in there... they produce less heat.

 

[cheapgoose]

well, if you don't mind cutting your case, I see an external 120mm blowhole in your future.

 

[duuuma]

just a quick addition, the P4 is a Northwood and with the case off, it runs at around 39C. I'm just wondering if cutting a blow hole above the HSF will really help. I'm thinking about a 60 or 80mm blow hole but I don't think I can fit a fan on it unless I get a low profile hsf and case fan.

generally, are hsf's that intake air more effective than those that push air out?

 

[mechBgon]

So it would just be a vent located over the CPU? That would probably knock a lot off the temperature, yeah The CPU's fan will have mostly cool air, assuming the CPU is located where it's not trapped under a drive or something.

 

[duuuma]

Yeah I hope to be able to cut an 60mm-80mm hole directly above the HSF and slap a grill on it. There's nothing blocking the path of the heatsink fan, but I wanted to know if a fan that sucks in air would be better in that situation than a fan that blows out air?

Originally posted by: mechBgon
So it would just be a vent located over the CPU? That would probably knock a lot off the temperature, yeah The CPU's fan will have mostly cool air, assuming the CPU is located where it's not trapped under a drive or something.

 

[duuuma]

Originally posted by: duuuma
Yeah I hope to be able to cut an 60mm-80mm hole directly above the HSF and slap a grill on it. There's nothing blocking the path of the heatsink fan, but I wanted to know if a fan that sucks in air would be better in that situation than a fan that blows out air?

Originally posted by: mechBgon
So it would just be a vent located over the CPU? That would probably knock a lot off the temperature, yeah The CPU's fan will have mostly cool air, assuming the CPU is located where it's not trapped under a drive or something.

bump?

 

[huesmann]

If it's right above the CPU, as MechBgon has already said, it's better to suck air in than blow it out.