Cooling Options?

[wingstriker]

I've got an AMD Athlon 1.4gHz 266fsb on and I-Will KA-266R with a ThermalTake Volcano II all in a Enlight 7237 case. My temps are way too hi...or at least IMO they are. The max CPU temp i've had is 56C and my idle temp varies from 47C to 52C. My ambient temp at idle ranges from 33C to 38C and the max I've seen it at is 42C. Should I buy an SK6 HSF, or is there some other options I have that may help and won't cost more than $40. I already have a case fan in the front (blowing in) and back (blowing out) and I have a "PCI" fan in the upmost slot (above the video card... meaning it's taking heat from the processor and blowing out). I do NOT want to put any holes in this case, so drilling is out of the question... :p . I'd love to hear any and all options for under $40.

[TranceBear]

Well if you don't want to cut any holes then your option are almost nill. For about $40 shipped you could but some REAL high-output 80mm or 92mm case fans. It does not take much to make a 92mm fan fit in a 80 mm hole. Also a better heatsink fan. They make a thing called a tunnel that will allow you to install an 80mm fan on top of a heatsink that normaly takes a 60mm fan like the Delta.

[AmbientFiction]

A: You need to get rid of that Volcano. I have one on my celeron its ok for an INtel CPU but when you get into the AMD side they run hotter so I would get something copper and a very high CFM fan. I'd go knocking around at plycon. They have the fan adapter that Trancebear was talking about. Might want to go with an SK-6 I have heard that they are rather nice.

[wingstriker]

Should I also get a copper shim or anything else to help?

[IFMU]

One other suggestion... ggrrr... what are they called? oh yea.. Ducts.. you can get or make if yea wanted those plastic clear ducts that go from the front case fan right over the CPU. IMO eww....... ugly... but Ive heard that they can drop the temp a decent amount... granted, I would suggest other ptions normally first.. but your wanting a lower price value than what I normally work with... but I do understand it... So Maybe check those out...

[AmbientFiction]

Originally posted by ifmu
One other suggestion... ggrrr... what are they called? oh yea.. Ducts.. you can get or make if yea wanted those plastic clear ducts that go from the front case fan right over the CPU. IMO eww....... ugly... but Ive heard that they can drop the temp a decent amount... granted, I would suggest other ptions normally first.. but your wanting a lower price value than what I normally work with... but I do understand it... So Maybe check those out...


The best type would be to have a 80 -120 mm opening that ducts down to like 65mm cut in the side pannel of the case this way you can have a fan forceing nice cool outside air onto the heatsink's fan.

[IFMU]

Good idea, but If I remember right he wasnt wanting to cut the case.. so I was throwing out an option that would allow him not to have to cut....