CPU Temp questions

[Wahoogie]

First of all I'd like to state that I'm quite new to this field...So don't overload me with technical info unless you're prepared to explain yourself. That being said, I'll continue.

First, the system:

AMD T-Bird 900@908(Came like that.... don’t know...?)
Asus A7V Via KT133 chipset
384MB PC133
Herculese ProphetII GeForce2 PRO GTS 64MB DDR

Right now, I have some generic CPU cooler (looks similar to an ORB)

With case closed, under Idle(CPU) it runs at 133ºF-135º (Ouch!)
Under load, Case closed, runs at about 145(Getting scary....)

Case open - Idle, 120ºF-122ºF (A little better..)
Case open - Load, 127ºF-130ºF (Ehh...)

Recently I bought an 8" oscillating+ fan...

Case open, fan on, idle, 105-107ºF
Case open, fan on, Load, 107-110ºF

All right.... looking at these numbers, One would probably say that I need some new cooling. I realize that with the "case open, fan on" it provides 'decent' cooling, but I hate the fact that the case is open constantly and quite open to debris that could harm my hardware.

My current plan is to get a New CPU Cooler (Still deciding on which), and put an intake fan on the side of the case, and a blowhole at the top of my case. One problem...not enough room at the top.

I am wondering if there is an effective way to place both intake/blowhole on the same side panel.

I was planning on doing something like... Placing the Intake at the bottom right and the Blowhole at the top left.
This is my basic Idea based on...well nothing really other then that heat rises and the more appropriate place for a blowhole would be higher up.

So basically my questions are:

1. Which CPU Cooler (Under 50$) would you recommend?
2. Is the placement on those case fans good? What would you guys recommend?

Thanks for your help in advance, and also any other advice is always welcome.

[castle lager fan]

There's two very good coolers:
Millenium Glaciator and my favorite the Swiftech MC462 with Delta. I use the swiftech and is very happy with it. But it is noisy and almost twice the price you want to pay. The glaciator is about $45 with shipping I think and people seem to get good results with it. To order look under the reviews on the frontpage and you will find it.

When you install a new cooler make sure to clean the cpu core and cooler properly with acetone(old nail polish remover) and medical alchahol. Both can be found at a pharmacy. I clean with the acetone first and then with the alchahol.

Next ensure your cooler is nice and smooth!! You may want to lap it. See cooling section.

Now try to get Artic silver II for your thermal compound and apply according to instructions. This will already help you a lot with the cooler part.

Now to get cold air onto the CPU. I cut a hole in my case for a 92mm fan right onto the HSF area. I then mounted an 92mm fan blowing onto the the HSF from outside. This will of course be utterly useless if the air from the new case fan is not focussed on the HSF. I made a pipe from carton by rolling it and taped it to the new case fan. I measured it that less than 1/2 is between the pipe and the hsf fan. I have another 92 mm fan on the side panel blowing in and a 92 mm on the to sucking out and the back 80mm fan as well as the Enermax 92 and 80mm fans sucking. I also have 80mm fan at the front bottom vlowing in. You might not want all the fans and I not sure they all help. But to get the air out on the same side panel, you might justwant to add a 92mm fan sucking out.

Good luck and hope it helps!

BTW my CPU temps are 33C(90F) idle and 37 C(99F) load with ambient of 22C (72F). Not the best, but pretty good for me at 1.536 with a 1.33 AXIA.

[Wahoogie]

I *could* afford a HSF that was double the price I'm looking for. I'll research the Millenium Glaciator a bit....sounds interesting. Thanks for all the info, I'm sure it will come in handy.

[Wahoogie]

Also, where do you buy your fans? I can't seem to find where to buy a Millenium Glaciator .... mabey I'm just not looking hard enough.

[castle lager fan]

I bought my fans at Fry's. But there are lots of shops linked to this site that sell fans online.

Try http://www.millennium-thermal.com/ to buy the glaciator. To see the review go the homepage of this site and look at left side for heatsink reviews.