Worth upgrading to a Gold PSU? Mainly temp concerns.

[VirtualLarry]

I was wondering if it would be worth it to upgrade a pair of Antec EarthWatts 650W PSUs to something with an 80plus Gold rating? Mainly to lower temps. With my current setup (coolermaster Elite 330, top-mounted PSU), the PSU gets really, really hot, when running F@H. Part of the reason is low case airflow (there's one rear exhaust fan, not really effective). With F@H running on both the CPU and GPU, the CPU gets to 85C, the GPU gets to 70C, and I cannot even hold my hand on the top of my case where the PSU is, it gets THAT hot.

Although, I think that perhaps the problem is not the PSUs inefficiency, but the lack of case cooling.

I was thinking of upgrading my case to a Rosewill BlackHawk.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147107

It's like an Antec 300 or 100, but better, IMHO. Five fans, two intakes, one rear exhaust, one top exhaust, and one side intake.

 

[lehtv]

I don't think you need to replace the PSU. Just buy a case that has a PSU mount at the bottom and a hole below it. That will separate the PSU air circulation from the rest of your PC. Also make sure the case has fan slots at the top to pull out that hot air - ideal would be a one 200mm fan or two 140mm fans.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

A Corsair 400R or 500R would solve your problem. The Rosewill case is good too, but the Corsair's offer more exhaust + better side intake. A higher efficiency PSU will generate less heat, but first thing would be a better case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...CE&PageSize=20

 

[Zap]

Although, I think that perhaps the problem is not the PSUs inefficiency, but the lack of case cooling.

This.

How about... flip your case upside down temporarily and see how hot the PSU gets. :whiste: Everything will work fine except for your optical drive. Won't hurt it, but... can't get a disc in.

 

[mindless1]

Seems like a lot of work, replacing a case just to fix this unless you're going to just use a new case to do your next system upgrade building a new PC into it. I'd probably pop the side panel off, cut out a couple 120mm holes for fans, cover the cut edge with black plastic automotive door edge guards (about $3 at auto parts stores).

You may need to replace the PSU before too long anyway, considering the added stress of having ran it hot for a while.