New Guy Looking for some advice

[Legionnaire]

I just built a 1.2 Ghz Athlon, and I'm d***(<could someone plz tell me if D*** is considerd a bad word here?) pround of it. Now, I am thinking, "what's next?" My case is currently 34ºC, with my CPU at 50ºC under load, standard 1200 MHZ. I have a feeling that some data errors I've been getting are due to this high heat, but then again, I could just be obsessed with heat and ignoring a software error (tribes 2). Considering I've been kicked off Sierra forums, I cant confirm this that well. SO! <batman> TO THE POINT! <batman/>

I was wondering about some advice with ducting. I currently have a volcano 6 heatsink w/80 MM fan, my P/S exaust fan, and a 60 MM exaust fan in my case now, but today I got my grubby little hands on a free 120mm fan. I was thinking about adding a duct from the CPUfan to a portion of the 120mm, then just letting the rest blow into the case, to cool it off. I figure this will force cold air through to the CPU, cool off my case, and all in all make my case happy in the same job. I just have a few questions, though.

1) Is this an effective solution to my heat problem?

2) Is this a heat problem?

3) If #1 is no, and #2 is yes, what is a good solution?

4) Assuming this (or another solution works), should I even think about overclocking?

Here's my System Specs:

1.2 Ghz Athlon <--WOOHOO
ECS-SocketA SiS-735 Mainboard
256 MB SDRAM (have space for DDR Ram, tho)
40 GB HD
56x AOpen CD-ROM Drive
300W P/S
RIVA TNT2 M64 32 MB PCI Video Card <-- I know there's a great deal of earthshattering laughter because of this, hopefully I'll get a GF2 GTS 64 MB AGP this Christmas.

Thanks a TON for your time!
:cool:

[eobard]

1) Welcome aboard.

2) Here's what I've done with my system. I have a volcano 6cu+ with a passive duct tube going from the case side door right over the hsf. By passive I mean I have no other fan at the other end of the tube, only the fan on the 6cu+. I've had this passive duct deal going with several different fan setups and get a consistent drop of about 6c. Next I've put a 92mm, 25cfm fan on the back of the case blowing air out and a 92mm, 45cfm on the front of the case blowing air out. Most people will tell you this creates negative case pressure and it does. Most people will tell you that positive case pressure is preferable to negative, I understand the logic on that side of the coin but for me I want negative case pressure to force as much air as possible into the duct and onto the 6cu+. Without the front 45cfm fan running I had cpu temps 2c hotter, even though on my board the cpu is not near the front of the case. I believe this was because the reduced negative case pressure wasn't drawing as much air into the case over the cpu sink/fan. I've taped up air holes that would otherwise allow air into the case from all around to keep as much flow going into the case specifically through the duct. Does this give me a lot of dust on the cpu fan????? H311 yes!!! But, my temps, at 31% overclock and 16% overvolt, are 40c load.

My 5 cents. (Too many words to fit in 2 cents)

[Legionnaire]

Thanks for you help!

Makes sense, Ill do that. IS there any sort of filtering that I could throw on there to eliminate dust?

OH! and Where can I find 120mm fan grates? Preferably a brand name store, that is probly near me.

[eobard]

Originally posted by Legionnaire
Thanks for you help!

Makes sense, Ill do that. IS there any sort of filtering that I could throw on there to eliminate dust?

OH! and Where can I find 120mm fan grates? Preferably a brand name store, that is probly near me.

I don't know where you are. I know of only one place that's semi-close to me. These guys (http://www.bigfootcomputers.com/) have filters, not sure if they've got 120mm size ones though. It's a Canadian company, in Toronto, but I'm pretty sure they'll ship anywhere. I haven't actually put a filter on yet myself, I'm waiting until I can find the right kind. I'm looking for the kind of air filters you find on the back of dehumidifiers so if you know where to get them let me know.

I wouldn't just jump into my adivce right away. I think it's good advice and all, but the others here might have a suggestion that you'll like better. I'd hold off until everyone has a chance to thow in their 2 cents. Then collect those pennies and use them to pay for that filter. :)

Btw: got to the main page and look for an article called something like "Good air, Bad air, something-or-other" by Hoot, its a good artice.

[Legionnaire]

Most recent plan is to take 2 120mm fans, one 60mm fan, and have those, spread out, blowing out, all around the case. Cut the duct to the outside, and grate everything. Seal up all case openings, then take some mousepads (or strips of mousepads) and line the case to quiet it. I may also get soem of that foam with finger-like protrusions as well.

[Legionnaire]

SCratch that. Im gonnna cut a 120mm fan hole in front of case, move my power buttons, LED lights, etc, and buy a second 120 off a buddy of mine, this one at the back of the case.

I am going to add a passive duct, tape air holes, and be all set, i think. Correct me if wrong.

[eobard]

That's more or less what I've done. It's going to be loud. Even with the mouse pads. The pads won't block sound from the duct hole and the case fan holes but it will help a bit. Also I have no idea how you'll fit a 120mm fan on the back!!!! You must have a tall case with a section that has no connectors across the whole width of it at some point right?

[oc jason]

im kinda slow so i didnt get everyting, but a good cooling solution is, regardless of fan # or size, it is important to have the same CFM going in, and out, if a little more coming is that is ok. Just dont go too little.

Intake- should be front lower
Exhaust- Shoule be rear upper if you can

I have a 120mm intake(100+ cfm) in front bottom of case, and a 80mm panaflow in rear for exhaust 40+ cfm, also a 120 mm in the top sucking out( bout 35cfm) and the PS fan sucking out also (bout 25cfm).

So i have 103 cfm intake and 100cfm exhaust, my temps are 36-38c idle, depending on room temp, and never break 43 load after hours of gaming. That is with a 1.33@1.53 vcore at 1.775. That makes for ome good temps in my opinion

[Legionnaire]

OK, well than I'm going to have a bit of a problem, my 80mm on the CPU will double as an intake, and I can put the 120 on the back upper, pulling air over the mobo. It's most likely going to be a low pressure case.

Can someone explain to me why it's bad to have low pressure?

[eobard]

Negative case pressure sucks in dust at every minute opening. Dust can, over the long term, be a problem. A lot of it can act as an insulator and increase your temps. Also dust can absorb moisture from the air, moisture is not good for electronic components. That's why I suggested you listen to what others have to say on the subject. I've sealed off much of the cracks and crevices that will allow dust into the machine and I clean out my heatsink several times a month so I don't mind having my setup the way it is but most people do. Still, ultimately the choice is yours.

[Direwolf]

Im going to have two 80mm fans 30cfm on the bottom front of mine with filters

one 80mm fan plus psu rear top pulling air out

cpu will be doing the most sucking though lol with the delta 68 cfm

Front filters will slow the air down to a good 25cfm but its better than a dusty case, will upgrade the front fans later on though

[Legionnaire]

Thanks for the tip, Ill seal it off.

Also, will the filter in a duct in a furnace be a good filter for my duct in the PC?

[mw521]

Try these, I use them and they work rather well. They are called Vent Filters. I got them at Home depot. They come in a 4 by 12 sheet and are made for your furnace registers. They are thin and don't block the air flow too much and you can trim them up easily.
www.webproducts.com:D

[mw521]

Crap, http://www.webproducts.com
There.

[donny_paycheck]

Originally posted by eobard
I clean out my heatsink several times a month so I don't mind having my setup the way it is but most people do. Still, ultimately the choice is yours.

Same here....microfins are dust traps and processor temps show it. It doesn't help having 3 dogs living here either.

[eobard]

Originally posted by donny_paycheck


Same here....microfins are dust traps and processor temps show it. It doesn't help having 3 dogs living here either.

I'll see your dogs and raise you one cat! (ever have a dog hack up a fur ball?)

[Legionnaire]

WOOHOO!!!!

Added a 120mm intake fan.

Case is at a steady 22C (used to be 34)
And PRocessor is 41C (Used to be 50)

And those temps are UNDER 2 HOUR LOAD LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!

In fact, the 120m I put on is actually QUIETER than the 60mm I had on there previously, less resistance with the grate or something, I dunno. So, re-iterating,

YAY!!!!'

Thx For help!

OH! I almost forgot, I mounded it on side of case, blowing onto both the heatsink fan and the Video Card, the heatsink of the latter is inline with airflow, and you know what that means...

OVERCLOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!