Is this enough?

[Oddish]

I just want to know if you guys think there's going to be enough cooling in this system.

Here's the specs:

Case: Antec Sonata (includes a single fan version of the True Power 380W, and also a rear 120mm fan)
Board: MSI 875P NEO-LSR
CPU: Intel Pentium 4, 2.8C
CPU cooler: Arctic Cooling Super Silent 4 TC
Graphics: Saphire Radeon 9700 Pro

I'm asking about this because I'm planning to replace the MSI motherboard fan with a "Zalman NB32J" heatsink and also replace the graphics card fan with a "Zalman ZM80HP" heatpipe cooler. In other words the only active cooling in the system will be one power supply fan, one rear 120mm case fan, and the CPU hsf.

Will it boil or not?

 

[Elcs]

My concern here is that you have specified no intake. I believe having exhaust greater than intake, you create negative air pressure and thus increase the intake of dust which is not very healthy for a PC.

 

[Oddish]

Well, there is room for a 120mm in the front so maybe I should pick one of those up. But how can a rear exhaust fan draw dust into the case? Wouldn't even more dust get drawn in if I had an intake fan in the front?

 

[Elcs]

This is a fiercely contested area of cooling. A general rule of thumb or what I believe the majority of people here would say is have a greater intake volume than exhaust. Also another general rule is intake at the front and exhaust at the back.

The only real way to know is to try it for yourself. If you are like me and cant afford to invest in experimentation, the general rule of thumb is quite alright.

Edit: at the moment, im testing various methods with my 2 case fans. Ive found that mine work best as 2 intakes and only using the psu as exhaust. My intakes bring in cool air and keep the whole case generally cool so the air going through the psu is not hot.