Little help cooling system so I can overclock some.

[cnjmorris]

My system seems to run choppy and it seems to over heat. The case is warm to the touch despite 2 internal fans and stock fan on the retail CPU. I'm looking to cool it better without spending a ton of cash. Is there a good way to cool the graphics card and HD cheap? Noise is a concern, I LOVE how quiet my system is.


My system:
AMD 64 3400 on a ASUS k8N-E Deluxe board.
2 GB value select corsair ram (VS1GB400C3)
128MB GeForce 4 6600GT (BFG Technologies)


I'm looking at buying this to clean the current gel off:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835100010
Cost: $5.99

I'm looking at buying this to cool/bond CPU and fan:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835100007
Cost: $7.99

Can you suggest anything else so that I can begin to consider overclocking my card some and other tweaks. As you can see I'm not looking to OC much, or I would have got better ram and paid the extra cash for the 256MB 6800 card.

 

[NINaudio]

Those products are both good, but they won't do much for keeping things cooler in your case if airflow is the problem.

 

[cnjmorris]

Any suggestions then? I have a 2 fan antec PS but it seems pretty hot most the time also =(

Also what is a good fan? Are AMD stock fans normally pretty good?

 

[NINaudio]

The only fans are in your power supply? Panaflo's are pretty quiet. What case do you have?

 

[cnjmorris]

I have a generic case, nothing special. I have a 2 fan power supply. I have 2 generic case fans. I have a retail stock fan on my AMD CPU

 

[NINaudio]

what are the temps getting to on your cpu and gpu?

Also, just some general ways to help case airflow would be to neaten up your wiring if you haven't already done so. That alone can help move air much more efficiently through your case.

 

[cnjmorris]

CPU Temperature 50/122
MB Temperature 49/120

Have a few programs open, Outlook, Firefox etc, no hard work being done.

 

[NINaudio]

Have you tried reseating your heatsink already? You may also want to get ceramique instead of the AS5. The ceramique is completely non-conductive and easier to clean off.
If your case uses 80mm fans I'd suggest going with some panaflo's. Medium speed panaflo's move a decent amount of air and are pretty quiet. If you can afford a new heatsink an XP-90 would certainly help keep your processor running nice and cool.

 

[cnjmorris]

I've reseated it and it seems pretty tight but I'm just using the stock gel that came with the heatsink/fan from AMD. I'm not sure how non-conductive would help? I have no knowledge of this but don't I want the heat to spread to the heatsink to be dealt with there? I can't afford a lot, but I can't afford to have my pc burn up or be down either. Thanks for all the input by the way =)

 

[Safeway]

Although I do agree with most of what the other guy is saying, if you are looking for an upgrade, take a look at the FS/FT board here.

Search for Zalman 7000s, both AlCu and Cu variants. They will be a big upgrade for you and can be had for $32 new or alot less used from here.

 

[Safeway]

Jump on this!

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=45&threadid=1650797&enterthread=y

It the bigger version of the fan I listed for $28 shipped! That is half price of it new, from an excellent trader.

 

[NINaudio]

Zalman's are also good. If you reseated it without putting new thermal grease on, that is probably part of your problem. Being non-conductive doesn't help with heat transfer, but if you use too much and it gets on part of your mobo it won't cause a short. There is a very very small chance of that happening with AS5.

That Zalman in fs/ft is a great price. If it fits on your mobo I'd go for it.

 

[Safeway]

Yea, great great price. I can't stress that enough.

 

[Cerb]

A better HS/F and case are what you need (that is a good price, too!).
For a good cooling case w/o PSU, try an Evercase 4252 or 4292 (note: won't fit the Zalman coolers, though).

 

[cnjmorris]

Says the fins are slightly bent and its missing the mounting kit for athalon which I have. Sounds like I definitely want the non conductive since I'm new to this. That thermalright looks good but its out of stock. It's amazing how many products they make to make such a simple seeming thing so complicated... and expensive.

 

[cnjmorris]

Are any of the ones in this thread in hot deals good for me?

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=40&threadid=1662854&enterthread=y

 

[Cerb]

If your case can fit the 7700 or 7000 (the 7700 being heavier and a bit better performing), go for it. The 7000 price is average, but nice, given the free shipping.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Your not going to significantly inprove your case temperature by just pulling everything off and recoating them with the latest and greatest thermal paste!!

You need to invest in more fans or as has been stated a good CPU cooler such as zalman
etc...etc....

Good Luck to you!!

 

[ClydeFrog51]

get a new case,or try and tidy up some cables, that will improve airflow, also if your fans have alot of dust on them clean them off and make them more efficient