Quick Question (newbie)

[NateDOg138]

I have a quick question... here is my current situation:

I just got a 1.2ghz Athelon, and an ASUS A7A266 mb to go w/ it. The heat sink that came w/ the package was a pos. So I went and bought one.. with the case off I get acceptable temps (also w/ my powersupply out too) of around 50c idle, not great, but it works. when I put my powersupply back in, it sits on the SIDE of my case about 1/2" away from my cpu fan. With the case open the temp goes up a lot to around 58c. With the case on, my mb beeps at me letting me know its too hot. I'm using an Antec "up to 1.5ghz" heatsink/fan combo. What do you think the easiest/cheapest solution would be to cool off my cpu?

[Wa11y]

Welcome aboard the Good Ship Overclockers.com.

slap a few more fans into that case. Perhaps two in the top back, and one in the lower front. If you're into case mods, you could cut a hole in the side of your case, and add a fan blowing onto your CPU. You need to get some better air movement in that case.

[The Doors]

Hi NateDOg138, wellcome to the Forum,
have you used a thin layer of thermal paste between the chip & Cooler?

[NateDOg138]

well, there was a little grease left over from the cheap ass OEM fan that came w/ the mb/cpu combo. (I tried it not realizing how hot these chips ran). So I didn't apply any additional thermal grease. Should I? there is already a thin white coat on the "nut" of the cpu. Most cases have the powersupply above the MB, but mine is on the opposite side of the mb.

[The Doors]

Well, the thermal paste is always needed in a thin layer on the 'nut', the Cpu Core, the best seems to be Artic Silver II, but seems good also the cheaper Radio Shack thermal Compound :)

[Wa11y]

Originally posted by NateDOg138
well, there was a little grease left over from teh cheap ass OEM fan that came w/ the mb/cpu combo. (I tried it not realizing how hot these chips ran). So I didn't apply any additional thermal grease. Should I? there is already a think white coat on the "nut" of the cpu.

Oh, God YES!! You need some thermal past on the die of the processor before you attach the HSF, or you'll run into really high temps. You can get some stuff for $1.99 at Radio Shack, or order some Arctic Silver II for about $8. Me, I've never seen a noticeable difference between them.

[NateDOg138]

If the grease doesn't help should I invest in a case that would give more room for the fan to disperse air off the heat sink? Right now all the hot air is being bounced off the powersupply right back onto the cpu again... I think this may be a major problem as well...

EDIT:

Also, this is the sink I'm using...
http://www.antec-inc.com/product/fans/jetcool.html

[Wa11y]

That might not be a bad idea.

I'm trying to visualize how that setup is, but I just can't see it. The PS sits over the processor? That's a dumb idea, unless the PS intake is right over it.

[The Doors]

I suggest you to use the thermal paste, and if your chip temps are still higher, add some case fan, but remember the air sucked into the case must be the same blowed out, considering the fans Cfm ;)

[boonmar]

This is a side question but what bios version are you running. I also have a a7a266 mb. I'm running 1006. My cpu temp is at 60c but no beeps.

[The Doors]

Originally posted by boonmar
This is a side question but what bios version are you running. I also have a a7a266 mb. I'm running 1006. My cpu temp is at 60c but no beeps.
I suggest you to use an external thermal sensor between the Core & the Cooler to be sure of the temps, Asus is known for the higher temps reported, generally over 10 degree C than the right one.

[NateDOg138]

http://giveitem.com/images/example.jpg

This is how my current setup is. (at work right now) I really hope the grease helps out.

I also have an antec Cyclone blower sucking out air from under the cpu (the closest slot I had avaliable about 2" away from the heat sink)
http://www.antec-inc.com/product/fans/f_speci.html


Oh well... wish me luck! I'd just like to be able to use my comp w/o having to have teh case off and putting a box fan next to it :P

[The Doors]

Really good luck NateDOg138, read you leater for the results :D
At the moment you are using a Desktop case, is it right?

[NateDOg138]

I'm using a midtower case. That picture was a view from the front. I'll let you know how I make out. Perhaps one main problem is my bios, havn't updated it yet... but asus has a history of reporting temps that are way over the actual.

[The Doors]

Generally a Bios upgrade is always better, but for the temps not on the Asus Mobo:D upgrade your Bios and try monitoring your Box temps with MotherBoardMonitor that you found at http://mbm.livewiredev.com/ even if they are taken from the sensor on Mobo like make the Bios!?

[DragxxxOnxxx]

i bought a sony viao that came in a tiny micro tower, and the psu was right in front of the hsf. so i opted for more room and bought a full server case, and transfered everything over. but now i need more case airflow

[The Doors]

Hi DragxxxOnxxx, wellcome to the Forum,
My case airflow configuration is based on 5 Sunon's fans, for the intake I've used 1x80mm on fron/low that sucks like the 2x92mm on the left side of case, and for the exhaust 1x120mm on top that blows out like the 1x80mm on up/back.
The fans are all 'Ball Bearing', better then the Sleeve Bearing, and the 80mm fans are rated for 42Cfm, the 92mm for 49 Cfm and the 120mm for 90Cfm.

P.S. the air sucked for the intake must be the same of the air blowed out for the exhaust, considering the fans Cfm!

I hope it helps you ;)

[NateDOg138]

One last thing (sorry to pester everyone :P) on my Heat sink there is a thermal pad, do I still put thermal grease on the pad? or do I take the pad off completely and put the grease directly on the heat sink...

(sorry for posting so much)

[boonmar]

I think it's one or the other. The grease tends to work better for conducting heat. People tell me that you should put the grease on the CPU not the bottom of heatsink.

[The Doors]

Don't worry, you're wellcome :)
Absolutly not, the thermal pad is crap! take it off, clean very well the bottom of the cooler with acetone and apply a thin layer of thermal paste, it's the best way to go :cool:

[NateDOg138]

ok, last thing, i swear :P

On my cpu's core, there is a little bit of thermal paste. Should I just leave that on there and apply a little to the heat sink? or is there a way to get it off of my CPU w/o damaging it...

[The Doors]

Originally posted by NateDOg138
ok, last thing, i swear :P

On my cpu's core, there is a little bit of thermal paste. Should I just leave that on there and apply a little to the heat sink? or is there a way to get it off of my CPU w/o damaging it...
It'e better if you take off the old thermal paste from the Core, and reapply it only on the core, not on the Hs, but is a good idea to clean the Hs bottom with some TP ;)

[dimmreaper]

You might want to try mounting the PSU externally. I've seen many people do this with great success in reducing chassis temps.

[NateDOg138]

WOOOHOOOO! Thank you guys SOO much for the help. I'm currently running my power supply outside my case, and I got rid of the remains of that thermal pad (it was melted to the hsf) cleaned off the core of the cpu really good (carefully) then put some tp on the core. Idle at 50c and when I have quake and diablo II loaded I get about 55c. Not bad for a very cramped case. I'm thinking of spending the $100 and gettin' one of the "wind tunnel" ones with 8 built in fans :) Anyway, thanks again for the help :)

[NateDOg138]

:( Scratch that... when you run a game for 5 min that isn't a sufficent test. With the psu inside and case on ... the cpu over heats :( Guess I have to scrounge up $100 for a good case.

[The Doors]

I'm sorry that you temps aren't so good after all this tips, probably you must consider a new Cooler and/or a new Case, what brand/model of Cpu cooler are you using?

[NateDOg138]

I'm using an Antec JetCool, the best model they have. The fact that the temps are ok when the case is open leads me to believe that I need a new case. The one that I'm using is 3 years old.

I'm thinking of getting this case, once I get some money saved up (I just bought a new MB/CPU and now I'm broke!). Does this look like a good case?

http://www.coolerguys.com/cpucool/cases.shtml

Probably the one on top or the last one... (I'm really strapped for $$$).

[boonmar]

You may want to visit

http://www.colorcases.com/

if you looking for a new case.

[adamtekh]

www.nexfan.com ;)

[Robbie]

Well I did a little mod to my case and it helped to drop my temps. Here is a pic

[Robbie]

All I did was remove the cover off the PS and it helped to drop the case temps ALOT. Here is a pic

[Robbie]

All I did to mine was take the PS cover off. It dropped the temps alot cuz of better air flow.

here's a pic.


Oh yeah that's my old MB and CPU

[NateDOg138]

The onlything is, I'd like to have a case already tweaked out and ready to go... anyone know a good place to get one?