Looking to improve cooling...

[CellBlock]

I've got a p4 2.66B running @ 3200MHz with 1.65v as the Vcore. While idling, Asus Probe reports 32C CPU and 36C Mobo. (That seems almost backwards...) While running Prime95 in "Maximum Heat" mode, the temps climb to 55-57C CPU and 40C Mobo.

I have 2 case fans. One is on the side, blowing in onto the CPU, and one is on the back blowing outward. On the CPU, I have a T.I.T.I. TI-A8736N HSF with Artic Silver Ceramique.

I'm more than satisfied with my idle temps, especially seeing as I've got about a 20% overclock. (It's not a monster job, but I'm rather happy with it.) However, I'd like to know what the [H] recommends as to bringing down the load temps.

I am looking to try water cooling at some point, but not at the moment. I'm esentially looking for HSF suggestions or perhaps other ways to make sure my CPU doesn't bake itself. What do the "Gawds" and the truly [H]ard use (when it comes to air cooling)?

 

[ToranagaSama]

First thought, what direction do you have the CPU fan blowing?

If you've got the side fan blowing inward onto the CPU fan, then the CPU fan s/b blowin downward. Pulling the Cool outside air directly to the HS. Fans in such close proximity need to be working together.

In any event, the most import thing in Case cooling with air, is to get the hot air OUT with good circulation.

You might want to test reversing the above setup, changing the CPU fan to pull air off the CPU and have the side fan sucking that air OUT of the system.

What works best will all depend on your particular case and fan setup.

You also might want to add a front intake fan (maybe two).

I'd setup like I outlined above, with the rear fan exhausting as well. Then add the CFM from both exhaust fans, and place one or two front intake fans with a greater (combined) CFM than the combined exhaust fans. This is in order to creative positive air pressure that will aid in exhausting. The positive pressure will *push* the air out, helped by the exhaust fans.

With a high enough air Intake and a *balanced* Outake, providing good positive air pressure, you s/b able to eliminate any dead/hot spots, which will bring your Case temps down, and consequently thereby your CPU and GPU temps.

Luck!

 

[CellBlock]

Thanks, I'll try that at some point. It makes sense, and the worst possible outcome would be that I would just have to rearrange everything again.

 

[ToranagaSama]

No problem, you should give it a go, as a 20 degree rise from idle indicates something is amiss. Either the HS isn't a good one, and/or your fan setup needs adjusting; and/or possibly your Paste application didn't go well. Too much maybe??

Luck!

 

[2Fresh]

If it's not broken.........

 

[CellBlock]

*UPDATE*

I flipped the side fan and the CPU fan. Instead of both blowing in, both now blow out. During the process, I gave the bottom of the heatsink a good wiping with alcohol wipes and scraped some heavily encrusted dust from the top. (It actually made a fan print. )

Prime95 is now running (max heat mode), and the temps are increasing much slower, and look to be leveling off around 50C, as opposed to 55-57C. It hasn't been running for long, but looks promising.


At some point, I'll get an 80mm Vantec Tornado to put in the front. The two fans (side and rear) are each about 33cfm, so a fan with 80cfm will give me positive pressure.

If you don't hear from me anymore about this, then everything turned out fine. If something goes wrong, I'll be back to blame the [H] (I hope the wink adequately shows I'm kidding.)