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I did NOT build this, but I need help

T

theattrox

Member
My friend recently had his "friend that knows everything about computers" put his computer together for him, but he brought it over to me this morning saying it's really loud and I see that the psu is upside down, cpu cooler is backwards, and the wiring was done the old school way. I know I have to flip the cpu cooler, but do I need to turn the psu around as well? How bad is this for the airflow?

Also, any tips on how to wipe off the thermal paste or should I just reapply without wiping? I don't have any rubbing alcohol. (Computer is a few days old)

http://i.imgur.com/6wTfz.jpg <-- picture here
 
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I think the PSU is probably fine. I know a lot of people who choose to have their PSU situated that way if the machine is sitting on a carpeted floor, and it doesn't seem to have a particularly negative effect. The PSU will be pulling air out of the machine rather than in through it, but I think it'll be fine.

Rubbing alcohol is pretty cheap. I honestly don't know a lot about removing thermal paste, I've never had to do so yet. Hopefully someone else will have a better answer on that.
 
Hahah, those cables... LOL. Yeah, unplug everything and turn the PSU upside down, then route the cables neatly behind the back of the motherboard tray. The PSU can be fan up as well, it doesn't matter most of the time. You can exhaust more hot air that way, but I prefer to have the PSU take in cool air from below and have hot air exhausted out the top of the case only (because heat rises, and cool intake air gets used more optimally).

As mentioned above though if the PC is on a carpeted floor then probably better to keep the fan up.

You will need to clean off all the thermal paste with a suitable liquid and a non-linting cloth, and reapply fresh paste when reseating the heatsink. If you can't find suitable rubbing alcohol from a local shop (e.g. isopropyl > 90&#37😉, you could order some Tuniq TR-1 (I use that, it's good), Akasa Tim-Clean or similar.
 
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CPU Fans are definitely backwards, but AFAIK the PSU is facing the correct way? That's how mine is! Hot air rises, so the air at the bottom of the case should (and is) plenty cool for a PSU.. Ambient air in a case is usually ~5C higher than ambient for the room...

(The pic for those who don't want to click the link:

6wTfz.jpg
 
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Before you remove the CPU cooler, can you just change the fans?
Take the one from the end and put it on the OTHER end...turn around the one in the center.

(I don't know if that cooler is specific as to mounting of fans)

Otherwise, while I personally don't like a power supply mounted with the fan facing upwards like that, it's not really a problem...as long as some errant screw or other thing doesn't fall inside. (Murphy was a freakin optimist...such things can and do happen...and they happen to me)
The only thing that's worth putting any real time into changing is the PSU cables...and even then, only if it really bothers you. It's a matter of aesthetics more than anything else.
 
IMO, that should prove to your friend that
his "friend that knows everything about computers"
Click to expand...
perhaps knows a bit less than he thinks...yes, it looks like he got it built, but he did a shoddy job of it.
HOWEVER, based on the OP's questions...perhaps the friend who built the PC isn't the friend's only friends who aren't GOOD experienced PC builders. :biggrin:

(hell, at one time, we were ALL newbies at this stuff. It DOES help to have a friend with experience walk you through the first one or two builds though.)
 
Im almost positive u can just switch the fans and it looks like he put the rear fan as an intake so itd have to be switched as well.
 
This is even more hilarious considering all the gromets in the case. Can't some one look at those and figure something isn't right?
 
theattrox said:
tIYDE.jpg


This is the one I built a month ago.
Click to expand...

That looks MUCH nicer...and I'd try to swap the fans before I removed and reinstalled the CPU cooler.

It looks like a Noctua NH-D14 cooler in the OP...correct? If so, the mountings on the fins should be able to be used for fans in either configuration. Even that isn't really a big deal...it should actually draw in air that's a bit cooler to help cool the CPU better than the air inside the case. The problem is that it's now a bit more difficult to exhaust that warm air. (and that shouldn't be a problem in that case)
For me, the only "big" issue is the terrible cable management.
 
the cabling isn't doing much of anything to the temp. air just doesn't have that much problem going around. if the case were small and tight then cable management would do something for temps. but if the case is large and open inside then cable management just improves how it looks.

i'd try switching the fans in the heatsink before remounting it. check to see the orientation of the fan mounted on the back.

as for TIM, just buy a bottle of 90&#37;+ rubbing alcohol. heck, i've just reused the stuff that was on there with no measurable affect.
 
Oh man.. I didn't even notice the fact that the case has beautiful holes for cable management... And he went and left it all out in the open!! Travesty!!!
 
Cable management also improves ease of access to components for cleaning, removing, installing, troubleshooting. If the cabling is really messy, it's a bit harder to figure out which cable goes where and it's harder to access the connections.
 
If the computer is going to be on carpet, you should leave the PSU the way it is. A suffocating PSU is much worse than one that is drawing air from inside the case. If I were building a system for somebody, I would definitely have the PSU fan facing up, because you have no idea where they are going to put it.

As for the heatsink, I'm 95&#37; sure that the D14 is symmetrical. You should be able to just remove the fans and remount them. Not that going to the drug store and paying $2 for a bottle of isopropyl alcohol would be the end of the world either.

I'm betting that the loudness comes from not having the fan ramps set properly in the bios though.
 
Even with big cases with nice routing grommets, I find that I cannot utilize them, because the PSU cables are often just barely long enough to reach as-is, stretching them over the mobo, nevermind routing them behind.

And if it comes down to spending extra for cable extensions, just for cable-management purposes, then I would rather not, and stretch the cable. The reasoning behind that is that the additional connector on the extension cables adds resistance, and is not conducive to good power flow.

What it basically comes down to is "screw cable management".
 
I think you should take a step back and stop.

Noise is mostly determined by the attributes of the case and fans, and by speed settings. Can also be caused by obstructions to the flow of air.

If he wants it to be quieter buy him some low speed fans. Although if it runs hot and you live in a hot climate that may not be good for his rig.


I'm guessing he has it set to intake from the back? As long as the cpu fans are blowing the same direction thats fine.

If the front is set to an out perhaps the bezel is causing alot of noise. You could put filters on the front and back and have them all be intakes, for a positive pressure system.

Does that case have vents in the top? If so heat wouldn't be trapped.
 
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you cant go underneath the motherboard unless there's a tray, right? my antec 300 didnt have one, and even if it did, the cables didnt seem like they would be long enough if i went underneath.
 
ElFenix said:
the cabling isn't doing much of anything to the temp. air just doesn't have that much problem going around. if the case were small and tight then cable management would do something for temps. but if the case is large and open inside then cable management just improves how it looks.
Click to expand...

I've been trying to tell people that for years but nobody believes me. For some reason almost all "enthusiasts" have brainwashed themselves into believing cable management = lower temperatures when that simply isn't true these days. We aren't using 2" wide IDE cables anymore, and cases have much better ventilation these days.

And yes, I'm pretty religious about cable management, but I do it because I like the clean looks.

theattrox said:
My friend recently had his "friend that knows everything about computers" put his computer together for him, but he brought it over to me this morning saying it's really loud
Click to expand...

Find out what is making the racket, and lower that fan's speed. For instance... often setting a fan profile in BIOS helps greatly.
 
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