Need better cooling setup for my Enlight 7237

[AppleTalking]

I also posted this over in the motherboards forum, but thought I'd ask here too. Thanks a lot!

I just put together a new box with the following essential specs:

Enlight 7237 case
Epox 8K7A Motherboard
AMD 1.2GHz. Athlon Processor (AVIA)
256MB PC2100 Crucial DDR
3D Prophet 4500 (Kyro II)

I downloaded Motherboard Monitor last night and took a look at the temps, and boy was I shocked!! 57C under full load for the CPU (51C under normal load), 34C for the motherboard!!

I have both the power supply fan and the intake fan on the front of the Enlight 7237 case running. I have tried moving the case around (it's under my desk) to try to get better air flow, but to no avail. I am using the SuperCool HSF from tcwo.com (60mm fan, 32cfm) to cool the CPU. I know it's not the best HSF, but other people on this board have gotten much lower temperatures running this combo than I have. BTW, the CPU and FSB have not been overclocked at all.

I have not had any instability so far, but I don't want my CPU running at 57C all the time. I run RC5 on it for Team Anandtech, which uses all available CPU cycles.

So, what should I do to get better cooling for my computer? Add another case fan? If so, which one? Switch to a better HSF? I've pretty much figured out that I can't stand the noise of a Delta fan, so any better suggestions? I'd prefer not to spend more than $40, but would spend more (up to say $50) if it would be a big improvement.

Thanks in advance!
Nick

 

[mikef208]

Did you install the fan in the rear of the case, i don't think it said you did, try that. I have the same case and it dropped my temp a few degress, plus if you do that you may want to experiment with using your HSF to suck air off the heatsink. Usually this gives the same results as blowing, but then the fan in the rear immediately sucks that hot air out, so it may help cool it down more.

 

[a7berwill]

Definitely install a fan in the back of the case. I have the 7237 case also, the second case fan dropped my CPU temp from 44 to 41 under full load. (MSI K7T Turbo, Duron 750 @ 870, Volcano II)

 

[gogeeta13]

my VIA HWM temp is 40c, but on MBM5 my temp is 52c(these are all full load)

 

[AppleTalking]

gogeeta13: Are you saying the Motherboard Monitor might not be measuring the CPU temperature correctly? I get just about the same numbers (50-53C) in the BIOS under the PC Health section. Maybe it's the motherboard, who knows? The side of the case does feel rather warm, though.

Thanks for the replies guys. I've ordered a Sunon 80mm fan (the high-performance one) from 2cooltek.com. It might be a little noisy, but it just might get the job done. I've also ordered some Artic Silver II for my CPU. I'll probably install the fan first and see how that affects temperatures before I pull the HSF off and risk cracking my core in the process.

If anyone else has any suggestions for better air flow, I'd still like to hear them!

Thanks again!
Nick

 

[gogeeta13]

Yeah, MBM is whack! my bios has the same temp as VIA HWM. I dont think you have to worry!

 

[GundamF91]

My BIOS reads about the same as MBM5's readout using Via686B2. it's not a "true" core temp, but close enough for me.

 

[Jhhnn]

If you only have one case fan in an enlight 7237, put it in the back blowing out to exploit the slots in the side panel as an intake area. A front fan is pretty much ineffective unless you mod the front bezel to let fresh air in. While it might seem to move a fair amount of air, much of it is recirculated from inside the case, behind the bezel.

With 2 fans, put the strongest in the back blowing out, same reasoning. If you do any mods at all, start by cutting away the stock stamped fan grilles, use wire grilles, and open up those teensy little holes in the front bezel.

While it's a sturdy and reasonably nice case to use, the stock cooling is, uh, well, a little lacking. It was designed long before the advent of hot running AMD processors, and shows it.

 

[AppleTalking]

Jhhnn: My Enlight case came with an intake fan already installed in the front; I didn't put one there. You're right, the cooling in this case is a bit lacking. I may try to open up some of the holes in the front to let more cool air in, but for right now I think I'll wait until my new Sunon 80mm case fan arrives and see how that performs!

THanks for the info!
Nick

 

[beer]

Try some of these mods here

 

[crzyc]

how would you open up the holes in front?

 

[DietDrThunder]

Installing the Sunon will help some. I've been having the same type of heat issues with my system. I installed two Sunon 80mm case fans and it did improve a bit. How did you apply the thermal paste? Did you apply it with your finger or did you use something else. From what I've been told is that I should not have used my fingers(and I did). Apparently the paste will trap the oil from your fingers and can cause a heat issue. I'm waiting on my artic silver II to arrive and then I'll apply it the right way.

Edit: Did you wrap up your cables and move them out of the way. This also helped my system when I did this.