Newbie --> need help. System too hot (I think)

[javertiz]

I have the following:
Athlon 1.4 GHz @ 1.4
ASUS A7M266
256MB DDR RAM
1 60GB HD
1 CD-RW (TEAC)
1 FLOPPY
1 NIC
1 SOUND BLASTER 5.1 GAMER
1 ASUS 7700 Video Card (NVIDIA 2 chipset - with small heatsink/fan)

I used to have a generic PSU and OEM Heatsink. My system ran normal idle temps of 51c CPU and 32c MB. The system was having trouble starting up so I switched to a 400W ANTEC unit. Now all PSU related stuff is fine but my temps seem to have gone up. I bought a Global Win WBK38 (now noise is a problem - oh well) and it cooled things down (using Articl Silver II also).

I am running 1 intake (80mm) fan at the front bottom and one out fan (80mm) next to the heatsink on the back. The PSU also has an output fan.

My IDLE temps are 53c for the CPU and 34c for the MB (read from the MB through ASUS PC Probe). Under load they look more like 56c/36c.

I keep reading that OC'd boxes run in the low 40's and even 30's while overclocked !!!

Am I way off base? Is there something I am doing wrong? Tried reversing/changing fans but no go. Took HS off and put it back on (again with Artic Silver II) --> same deal.

Any ideas?? Don't want to go to extremes since I won't be overclocking, just want a nice cool system with baseline 1.4GHz performance.

Any help is appreciated.

Alex

[azhari]

Welcome to the forums Alex.

I think your problems are two fold:

1) I believe the ASUS temperature probes report higher temperatures than they actually are. A lot of people around here use a program called MBM5 that compensates for this.

2) The air circulation inside your case is not high enough :( As if the noise wasn't bad enough now, right? The higher the airflow into and out of the case, the closer your case temperature will be to outside temps. With one fan in and one out you're not getting enough cool air inside for your HSF to cool down. I have 4 going in and 3 coming out and my case temp is still a couple of degrees above outside temps. But it used to be worse with half as many fans.

Hope this helps out.