Noob at case cooling

[aznxk3vi17]

I just recently built a new case, and had a couple of problems overclocking. First, it was combining my CPU and RAM overclocks, then it was my video card not reaching optimal speeds.

Intel E6600 @ 3.4 (I could reach 3.6 with decent temps)
Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme
OCZ-8500 Reaper
EVGA 680i
EVGA 8800GTX
OCZ GameXStream 700W
CM Stacker 830

As you can see, I have a decent setup, with an exceptional case. However, my temps (according to NVIDIA Monitor) are horrendous. Last time I checked, my GPU was hitting 85C full load, and my case temps were 40C. I have two 120s as intake (one in the front, and one in the side panel), and three exhaust: back, PSU, blowhole. To top it off, the intakes both have less CFM than my exhaust, ensuring that I should have negative pressure.

Why would I be getting such bad temps? I manually set the GPU fan to 80%, and that brought the card down to acceptable levels. My case temperature should be much lower, however, considering how many reports of how cool this case was I received.

 

[imported_redlotus]

Hmmmm. Couple of questions. What are your ambient temps like? Also, where exactly is the side intake fan located? How are your CPU temps?

Without knowing the answers to these, there is only one thing I could suggest: unplug the top blowhole fan. Unless that side intake fan is right above your vid card, it is probably being starved of air. You actually have four exhaust (including the OTES cooling system on the vid card) and only two intake fans. Yes, negative pressure is usually a good thing, but you might be going a little overboard. Also, that blowhole exhaust isn't really removing heat from any parts, it's just messing up your airflow.

Anyway, give it a try and let us know what happens.

-red

 

[aznxk3vi17]

Right. Before I moved some cables around last night and moved my side fan, my ambient temperatures were around 35-38C. Load, it would hit 40C. My CPU hits around 61-64C on Orthos Blend, but I dialed the overclock down since last night... haven't been able to measure temps again. My side fan is right above the intake fan on the video card (the lower right bracket if you're looking straight at the fan bracket of the Stacker). I am waiting for the fan of my choice (Scythe SFF21-F) to come back in stock, where I will put that on the side as an intake.

I moved some things around last night and will come home to check the temps after work.

 

[aznxk3vi17]

I will definitely try moving the blowhole fan to the side and seeing how that changes things. Should I put that over the PCI cards, or above the lower right fan that I have now?

 

[imported_redlotus]

Do you have any PCI cards like a sound card and/or tv tuner card?
Do you have the hard drives in front of the front intake fan?

Probably your best bet would be to move the blowhole fan to the top-right bracket. This would cool your memory and make sure that the CPU fan isn't stealing air from the lower half of your case before it has a chance to do some good.

-red

 

[aznxk3vi17]

I have 2 hard drives in front of the front intake. I don't have another 4-in-3 bracket to hold the hard drives in, might consider buying one eventually. I have no other PCI cards (eventually might get a sound card). I will measure my temps when I get home, then move the blowhole fan to the top-right, then compare. I wouldn't be asking so many questions if I were home experimenting for myself, but alas...

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: aznxk3vi17
My case temperature should be much lower, however, considering how many reports of how cool this case was I received.

How do you measure your case temperature?

 

[aznxk3vi17]

I go by what NVIDIA Monitor says... I don't have any other reliable way of measuring it.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: aznxk3vi17
I go by what NVIDIA Monitor says... I don't have any other reliable way of measuring it.

What most software utilities report as "Case Temperature" is really the motherboard temperature. This is because the sensor is obviously on the motherboard.
Where the sensor is located determines how hot it gets depending on where the voltage regulators are located. The voltage regulators are the major heat generators directly connected to the motherboard.

The point I am trying to make is that two different motherboards in an identical case may produce completely different "Case Temperature" reports.

 

[aznxk3vi17]

So... without a separate temperature monitor, I have to go by guessing?

What software do you guys use?

 

[WoodButcher]

My commando has connections for temp probes, most mobos do not. Go to the pet store and buy one for a fish tank, the type that hang in the water not the one that stick on the glass.

 

[Navid]

Go based on your CPU temperature.
Keep track of all the other temperatures as well.
But, do not compare your Case Temperature to someone else's and wonder "why my case temperature is higher" (unless they have the exact same motherboard).

 

[aznxk3vi17]

Orthos has been on for a while, and at 3.4GHz, the CPU is at 56C. I don't know why it's so high, Anandtech's review of this heatsink (Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme) had much better temperatures than me.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: aznxk3vi17
Orthos has been on for a while, and at 3.4GHz, the CPU is at 56C. I don't know why it's so high, Anandtech's review of this heatsink (Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme) had much better temperatures than me.

1- That temperature is not bad.
2- The Anandtech review does not necessarily represent what you would get. It is quite possible that they were sent a hand-picked unit that was perfect.
Look at my post about lapping this same sink and see how curved the base is!
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=37&threadid=2046722&enterthread=y
3- If I am not mistaken, they ran all their tests outside a case. That helps reduce temperatures a few degrees.

 

[aznxk3vi17]

Haha, I thought it was bad... I guess I should be more optimistic. I understand Anandtech's reviews don't reflect on what I may get. I always expect something worse on principle, but I thought I had something that was a few magnitudes worse. I suppose Anand didn't use Orthos for testing? Haha...

 

[imported_redlotus]

So, how did things go?