Temps running really high with new case

[dmw16]

I just got a new Enlight 7237 case and have 80mm case fans at the bottom front and top back right behind the CPU. Before this case I had the sides off of my old case off and my CPU was running around 42C idle, now, with the new case with the sides on, it is around 45C idle. Any ideas? Should I take the side off?
thanks,
-doug

 

[amdskip]

That isn't too bad. My 900@900 with a FOP32 runs 43 at idle. You may consider a side air intake blowing directly on the cpu and possibly a blowhole

 

[Dan]

dmw16: I don't see where you're overclocking, so you are running a little hot. Don't get me wrong: 45C isn't bad but you can certainly do better.

1. Take a look at your thermal compound and your heatsink to make sure you have the best contact possible.

2. Be sure your lower front fan is blowing in and your upper rear fan is blowing out.

3. Reposition your IDE cables to ensure that they aren't blocking the flow of air from the lower frong to the upper rear of the case.

4. If you haven't done so yet, round or fold your IDE cables.

5. Drill out the vent holes in the lower front bezel. It's easy to make a nice clean cut with a good bit and a steady hand. Drill from front to back for the cleanest cut. Use an sharp blade to scrape away any excess debris on the inside.

6. Follow the above steps and you should reduce your case temps by a few degrees. If you want more cooling whip out the bi-metal hole saw cause it's time for blowholes!

 

[Jhhnn]

Go with 1 thru 5 of what Dan said. Put the strongest fan in the back blowing out, to take advantage of the cooling slots in the side of the case. When drilling the bezel, hold it down tightly or it will want to climb up a spiral bit as the bit breaks thru the far side.

Before you go for the blowholes, snip away the stock stamped fan grilles, remove any airflow impeding plastic from the front fanholder, and install a wire grille on the rear fan. Put one on the front fan if you think it's a good idea, but it's not really necessary. Remove everything from the case before you cut it, get all the metal shavings out, for obvious reasons.

A 7237 begs for mods, particularly the front bezel. A great deal of the apparent airflow from the front fan is actually air being recirculated from inside the case, behind the bezel, back into the case. Just blowing warm air around in a circle.

 

[Dan]

Jhhnn: Good point about snipping away the stamped metal fan grills. I forgot that one.

dmw16: The best way I found to get metal shavings out of a case is with the air hose at the corner gas station.

 

[mechBgon]

If you have room, put a centrifugal slot fan under your video card. Some video cards put out 20 to 30 Watts of heat. Escorting the video-card heat straight out the back of the case will help keep the case cooled off, and no modifications are needed.