My CPU temps suck.

[Dankk]

About two weeks ago, I built a brand new computer. This is my first build, so I learned some things along the way, but overall it went quite well and I've gradually tweaked it and worked out it's kinks over time.

There is, however, ONE thing that I would still like to resolve: My cooling system.

My processor idles at around 43 celsius, until I play something intensive like Crysis, then it goes up to around 52 (I use realtemp). I've come to believe that these are rather crappy temperatures when I always hear people talking about their CPU's idling at well below 30.

Here is my case: Cooler Master Centurion 5
Here is my processor fan (the worst offender when it comes to noise): Masscool 90mm Ball CPU Cooler

Big question: Does the computer case play a significant factor in my CPU temperatures, to the point where I should try getting a new case? (Antec 900?)

It bothers me how the two items I listed above happen to be very popular on Newegg; like the case for example... people talk about what good airflow it has, when airflow seems to suck for me. People talk about how that masscool HSF is so quiet and effective, but it's none of these for me. I even used Arctic Silver 5 with it - close to the correct amount, mind you - and it's not going any lower than it was with the stock cooler that came with my processor.

Here are the rest of my specs:
Intel E8400 overclocked from 3.00 to 3.25Ghz
Asus P5Q motherboard
XFX Nvidia GTX 260
4GB G.SKILL DDR2 1066
SATA hard drive and optical drive

Do you think this problem would be solved by simply getting a new case? Despite how ugly and flashy it is, I might just have to get the Antec 900 because it seems so standard for a lot of people's builds. That, and my current case (The Centurion 5) really dissapoints me. Not only does it have crappy airflow, but it has this strange issue where my motherboard doesn't even align correctly with the rest of the case. I had to even use some special washers on one side of the mobo so it would lign up at perpendicular angle to the PCI card bays.

I'm just a high school student and I don't have a ton of money to spend, so it kind of hurts when I have to drop more money than I have already on this thing. But I am completely open to suggestions.

 

[CalvinHobbes]

52? under load is not that high, if that's the highest you ever see it's not terrible. I would be concerned with 60?+.

Have you checked to make sure the HSF is seated properly?

While good airflow in a case is important, A better CPU fan should take care of the problem. I would suggest checking the temp in the BIOS and with a few other apps just to verify the temp.

Something like: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro would be a decent choice if you really want to replace the HSF.

 

[Marty502]

Add an intake 120mm fan in the upper region of the 5'25 bays if you have the space, suspend it with some wires (easy to do since the Centurion 5 5'25 bay is full of holes and whatnots) and wire it at 5 volts so it doesn't sound like a jet. Airflow issue solved.

The stock 80mm intake fan is definitely poor though. A bit noisy and the airflow is average at best. I'm seriously considering getting rid of the lower cage and install a good 120mm fan there, since I don't use the HDD bays.

But anyway, replacing the HSF as suggested already, and adding an extra front fan should do it.

 

[40sTheme]

Um... get rid of the (M)Asscool and get something that doesn't suck. 🙂
That is prob the best thing you could do right now.
This is a good replacement for the intake fan, IMO. That or a Panaflo.
I would DEFINITELY get rid of the HSF and get a Freezer 7 or Xigmatek 1283.

 

[Dankk]

*sigh* It's funny how a couple of people have already brought up the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro. That was actually the very first HSF I ever installed... BAD experience (mostly probably because it was my first time). It was a pain in the butt to install, I think I used too much thermal compound on it too, and to top it off, it made the weirdest noise I have ever heard in any type of computer fan (again probably my fault). So I decided not to fool around anymore and temporarily switch to the stock HSF until I got something else.

As for my current HSF being seated properly: It screws onto a backplate rather than using the crappy pushpin mechanism. I can assure you I was very ginger in making sure it was nice and snug, and evenly screwed on.

40stheme: That Xigmatek 1283 looks VERY enticing. I like the idea of heat pipes. I was on this subject with my dad a few days ago, who is a mechanical engineer, and he introduced me to heat pipes and how they work.

Ahh, but still, I might have to buy both a new case and a new processor HSF altogether. Like I said, my Centurion 5 has a nagging problem where the motherboard doesn't even sit at the right angle to the rest of the case, and I risk even damaging my PCI cards without using some washers to remedy it. Perhaps I can get an RMA or something.

 

[Emo]

You do not have a problem at all, your temperatures are well within tolerance. I do not believe that there are alot of people with 3Ghz+ cpus idling at "well below 30C" unless they live in a freezer. See, most people have room temperatures in the mid-20s C so it is very unlikely that their CPU is only a few degrees over ambient. Enjoy your new system!

 

[RallyMaster]

Don't be paranoid. Your temps are fine.

 

[Dankk]

Thanks for the advice guys. And thanks for the reassurance, Emo.

9.99 for a Masscool CPU cooler... I guess I shouldn't have expected much. :s Although judging from the reviews you would think that it would have done a better job at cooling.

Anyway, I have decided to do an RMA on my Centurion 5 computer case. This is a personal decision that I made for multiple reasons, not just because of cooling but because it has some other unrelated problems. Also, payday is tomorrow, and I am definitely gonna go with the Antec 900 as I think it will be a great choice, along with a new, (Good) HSF for my CPU.

After that I will have no more of this tomfoolery with reopening my computer over and over for tweaking. I can expect better performance from my new cooling system. Thanks for the advice guys, but that's not to say I'm still open for opinions.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I know that case -- the Centurion. I've used at least two different Centurion models. I think yours has an 80mm front intake fan. That case has a lot of potential if you're willing to risk cutting on it.

But for the price of that case, I think I wouldn't hesitate to start cutting almost as quickly as I open the box.

 

[Marty502]

Originally posted by: BonzaiDuck
I know that case -- the Centurion. I've used at least two different Centurion models. I think yours has an 80mm front intake fan. That case has a lot of potential if you're willing to risk cutting on it.

But for the price of that case, I think I wouldn't hesitate to start cutting almost as quickly as I open the box.

That's what I'm gonna do! 😀

Expect two front 120mm intakes soon enough. I've already started some cutting...

 

[BonzaiDuck]

It all depends on the economic imperatives and trade-offs of time and money, Marty my friend.

With a CM case that cheap, a person could take pains to Dremel-cut fan holes neatly. If there were a "mistake," it would be a $40 mistake. And frankly, you could repair your mistakes with rectangles of sheet-aluminum.

There shouldn't be a problem of "mixing chassis metals." You can etch-primer aluminum patchwork before drilling and applying aluminum pop-rivets.

One of the Centurion models has a 120mm front-intake fan -- I'm pretty sure. But if someone acquired one of these with the 80mm front-intake, it wouldn't be that difficult to fix.

With more time and patience, one might install 2" double-caster wheels with locks at the case-bottom corners, and cut one or two additional fan-holes in the case bottom. You can either cut the holes as four right-angle wedges, leaving a thin sheet-metal cross-shaped frame that intersects at the fan's center, or simply use chrome-grilles to provide the same rigidity.