Refitted Case (Need assistance with air flow)

[John Stamos]

Ok so I recently purchased a Q9550 processor from newegg. I am upgrading from an e6600 @ 3.0ghz. After a pain in the a$$ installation because I forgot to update my bios on my Asus P5B Deluxe board I finally got things working. I recently refitted my case..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144077

..with some heavy air flow because my last set up left a bad taste in my mouth with temperatures. The tower is a mid-sized and I realize I could definitely use a full, but unfortunately I am not in a position to upgrade that atm. I have fitted the case with..

2x Thermaltake A1280 120mm Case Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999113

and

4x Mechatronics Ultra High Speed 80 x 25mm Fan
http://www.coolerguys.com/840556034001.html

To answer your question, it's very loud.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42349972@N02/3952297348/

As you see in the incredibly detailed picture above, I have one of the 120mm fans blowing through the heatsink (as opposed to pulling) directly to the next 120mm which fires it right out of the rear...bad analogy. I was hoping this method would work better than pulling the air off the heatsink as most people do. (Criticism on that would be appreciated)

I've applied some Arctic SIlver MX-2 to the CPU with a Thermalright 120-Extreme..

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556069577.html

..and I am currently idling at 53c on my highest core. My room temperature is unfortunately a bit higher than most (80f) but that's the downfall of central air + a hot computer I suppose. On load I reach temps of 64c. While I know these aren't extraordinarily high, I was hoping for the amount of cooling that I have invested in I would have had better results. When I overclocked the Q9550 to 3.0ghz (only 200mhz higher) the CPU jumped to 60c idle and I didn't even bother to test the load temps because I was concerned at the drastic increase.

On the front of the case I have cut holes where the grill is on the front, (the grill still remains but behind it is open space) to provide better airflow as I have 2 80mm's blowing in the case, I also have 1 window fan blowing in as well (also an 80mm).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42349972@N02/3952297408/
(pictures of the 80mm fan layout from the front perspective)

I have the aforementioned 120mm venting out the back with assistance from the CPU fan (120mm) blowing in the general direction and on the top of the case I have another 80mm venting towards the ceiling. Cable management is insanely tough with this tower but I have tried to the best of my ability to make adequate space for air flow.

Like I said I was hoping these temperatures would be better as I really wished to OC this Q9550 at minimum to my old e6600 speeds when I was at 3.0ghz. I know on air the Q9550 can run 3.4ghz + and I really wouldn't be looking to go much higher than that if possible. If anyone can help me with this situation (if it's even possible given the circumstances) I would greatly appreciate it and if you need any more pics or my professional paint diagrams I'd be happy to provide them.

Thank you!

edit: I forgot to add I'm using a Q9550 C1 revision.

 

[dkev]

From what I understand with this cpu, these are pretty normal temps. If your bedroom is 80f like you say it is, your not gonna do much better. You can try adding a 120 on the other side of your heatsink and utilize a push/pull set up. One fan pushing in, the other pulling the air out. A lot of guys do it that way. You also did not mention what HSF you have. That will also make a diffrence. But by going on just the discription you gave, your biggest problem is your ambiant air temp.

 

[John Stamos]

Sorry maybe I missed that, but I have one of the 120mm fans strapped to the heat sink.

 

[dkev]

Right, but try doing 2. One on each side of the heatsink. One drawing air in, like you have now. The second one would draw air out on the other side.

 

[John Stamos]

Is that not essentially what I have now give or take 2 inches?

 

[dkev]

Well the idea is to have that second fan drawing the air directly off the heatsink into the rear exhaust fan. A lot of guys here swear by it and apparently it does make a difference.

 

[FRAGizm]

Well the idea is to have that second fan drawing the air directly off the heatsink into the rear exhaust fan. A lot of guys here swear by it and apparently it does make a difference.

Yup, the tunnel effect is great but if your aimbent temps suck, theres really nothiung you can do. When mine is 80-85+ i rock temps in the 40s-sometimes 50s idle. and I have a MM case with but loads of fans and no 5.25 front trays...