How to keep case cool? 2

[AtlasII]

Hi,

I built a custom computer with asus A7V266-E, Athlon XP 1800, 512 MB RAM PC2100, and Viper 770 Ultra TNT2 32 MB. I run Redhat 7.3 linux on it.

While I was working on something on linux, my computer froze up for no reason. I reboot and check BIOS to see the temperature. It was at 178 F (81 C). I shuted it down to stay cool.

Later, I opened the case, and turned power on. I checked the current air which fans created. I discovered that the fan on the back of case created more air inside rather than take it out. I thought it was supposed to exhaust vent? I think that's why it can't keep the case cool.

I noticed that the case has front vent (no fan yet) but the front case protector doesn't have vent.

I need to keep cpu/case to stay cool. I'm thinking about buy a fan that fits in case cd bay. Will that help? Or do you have suggestions?

Thanks

 

[paparazi]

81C is TOOOOOOOOOO!! HIGH!!! XP1800+ AMD's usually run in the low 50's C. URGENT ATTENTION REQUIRED!
Are you talking about the power supply fan? if so these do have a tendancey to seize up so when turned off just give it a quick flick to see if it rotates freely, it should spin for several seconds before stopping,
Yes this rear top fan should exhaust out!
Yes the front lower will benefit from having a standard 80mm case fan fitted drawing in cool air into the case.
Your temperature is SO HIGH! that there must be something wrong with the CPU's heatsink/fan, is that fan seizing? have you definately got heat transfer paste between the processor core and heatsink base?
Is it fitted the correct way around? (recess in base situated over the socket A writing)
You shouldn't really be getting anything higher than 60C and I personally run an XP1800+ that never goes over 50C absolute max after an hour of hard gaming. Just trying to help, sometimes falling short, I am only human after all.

 

[AtlasII]

I know it's pretty serious. That's why I shut it down and won't use it until I find a way to keep it cool.

Power supply fan is working fine but I dont feel any strong current. I don't know much about fans or heat transfer paste.

The cpu fan seems to work fine. It spins normally. I have no idea what is heat transfer paste and I don't know how to use it.

Like I said before, I have front vent with no fan in the case but front casecover doesn't have vent. How can I add front fan if it cant get air inside if the case is closed?

Would CD-ROM bay sized fans help? And how do you make that back vent to exhaust all hot air?

Thanks for the reply.

 

[drobac]

Hot air rises.
It is always best to have an exhaust fan as close to the top of the case as possible.

 

[ANFPS26]

It's rare that the front bezel doesn't have any vent holes. Take it off and look at it more closely. Did you mount the CPU and heat sink/fan or did the mobo come with it mounted already?? "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing....."

 

[AtlasII]

Yes, I did mount the CPU and heat fan myself. Do you think I did something wrong?

 

[Euphaz]

Sometimes people use older pentium fans to cool their AMD CPU's, but they are way too small.

AMD needs a powerful fan and heatsink, and some temperature glue between the CPU and cooler.

 

[paparazi]

Yes, first thing first, get a decent heatsink/fan even if it's a generic non brand as long as it is rated XP 2000+ this will ensure it has the capacity to cool your 1800+.
As you look at the base you will notice a recess/groove down one side this must be placed when fitted over the SOCKET A writing, if the heatsink comes already with a heat transfer pad then make sure you take of the protective tape to leave just the thermal pad.
If on the otherhand you know your excisting heatsink/fan combo is correct for the XP1800+ take it off, clean off any paste or pad material from the processor and heatsink base (must be spotless) then apply a small mouse dropping sized spot of thermal heat transfer paste to the small raised core of the processor (approx 11 x 8mm) centre of processor. Then fit heatsink with cut out over the socket A writing.
I think you will find with a properly rated heatsink/fan that is fitted correctly with paste, the temps will drop at least 20C straight away.
Heatsink paste available from all good PC suppliers (Artic silver III the best but expensive)
Then think about case fans!
A standard 80mm fan fitted front lower drawing in cool air and if possible another 80mm case fan fitted top rear exausting.
These fans also available from any good PC suppliers (around £5/$8 each)
As for the power supply fan if it is not seized, as you have indicated then it could have a thermal circuit fitted that spins the fan faster as the power supply gets hotter.
These are used to cut down on fan noise.
Martin Just trying to help, sometimes falling short, I am only human after all.

 

[Guest_imported]

You should tackle the CPU heatsink issue first of all, and see if this solves your problem. If the CPU temperature is still too high, then look at increasing airflow through the case. The fan inside the modern PSU is often thermostatically controlled, and I sometimes find it beneficial in assisting airflow to connect the fan directly to the 12v supply. However, great care should be exercised if you plan to do this, as the innards of the PSU can yield unexpected high voltages even when switched off!

Good luck.


ROGER - GØAOZ.

 

[AtlasII]

My CPU Fan type is Thermaltake Volcano. It is supposed to work with Athlon 1.4 GHz and up. Do you recommend to buy better fan type or add thermal paste to cpu?


Again about the case. I checked the front of case. Inside the case, it DOES have front vent (no fan yet) but front cover doesn't have any hole to allow air gets in. I can't take out the front cover because it has on/off switch with wire connected (glued to the case). Should I still add the fan to front vent even it is covered?

About the fan on the back vent, I used my hand to cover the back of the case to feel the air current. The current isn't strong but I think that's normal since I checked other computer as well. Should I replace the fan or leave it alone?

Should I add more fans (cd rom sized fans) or something to support power supply fan as well? (like above post said)

Thanks for replies again.

 

[ANFPS26]

If you don't have vent holes at the bottom of the front cover, then you don't have any air flow. Are there holes in the side cover? Air should come in the bottom front and out the top (close to the top) rear. "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing....."

 

[paparazi]

It may look like you have no front vent in the front panel facia but I bet if you tip the case on it's end you will see a big cut out under the facia end that you cannot see when it is just stood normally.
As for heatsink paste! YES YES YES YES! it is absolutely vital!!!!!! that you apply a small amount of paste to the raised core of the processor. NOW!!!!!!!!
The Volcano 7 is a very good heatsink/fan combination and should be more than adequate to cool your XP1800+
WHEN IT IS FITTED CORRECTLY WITH PASTE!. Martin Just trying to help, sometimes falling short, I am only human after all.

 

[AtlasII]

WEll, I'll be damned. There is a big cut out under the facia end. Do you think it's better to add fan there? And how can it work? Take air in from the bottom?


I'll go to a local computer store and look for the paste. Thanks again.

 

[ANFPS26]

If the tower is sitting on thick carpet, that style of front cover can get blocked if the tower settles into the carpet. It's best to have it sitting on a hard surface if it's not. The front fan takes air in, the rear one takes air out. "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing....."

 

[Stretchy]

80mm fans are ideal for this function. They just hook up straight to your power supply and ur away, just make sure you put them the right way round :-D. I never put thermal paste on my cpu core the first time i hooked it up, consequently (or thankfully) my ASUS mobo cut the power to stop permanent damage. Arctic Silver II is the paste i use, theres even guide on how to use it on their web-site

http://www.arcticsilver.com

Hope you get it sorted out soon, its a shame to have a PC like that just sitting there doing nowt _______________
Stretchy [Pipe]

 

[paparazi]

Air coming in at the bottom front and exhausting top rear provides the best airflow through the case.
This is the natural direction the air wants to go anyway!
CONVECTION (HOT AIR RISES) as components heat up the air in the case, it rises, so it makes sence to use this natural movement and hurry it along abit with extra case fans. Martin Just trying to help, sometimes falling short, I am only human after all.

 

[CitrixEngineer]

I think we need an FAQ on this subject - there are far too many asking the same old question. Any more posts on this subject should then be directed to the FAQ.

Do you want to write it, paparazi? There's plenty of folk here who'll crit it for you CitrixEngineer@yahoo.co.uk

 

[AtlasII]

Thanks for all suggestions. I did what you told me to. Added extra case fan and put the paste on cpu, followed the instructions from arcticsilver site. I bought the paste from local store, it isn't arcticsilver. I forgot the name of the brand.

Last night, I left my computer running for an hour or so, I reboot to get in bios and check the temperature. It was at 59 C last night. This morning, I also ran the computer for another hour and it was at 57 C. Is that normal or would the heat continue to rise?

Another question, does Athlon produce more heat than Pentium 4? My 2.0 GHz P4 stays at 40 C most of times. I guess that's not so bad.

Thanks again for all replies!

 

[paparazi]

Well thats a vast improvement and although not super cool under 60 should keep the system stable.
It may well be the lowest temp you can get if you live in a warm climate, on the other hand if your room temp is cool then you probably still have room for improvement.
Try an 80mm top rear exhausting out! this should take it down a further 5-10C, to the reassuring SAFE ZONE!
At least now you can turn it on without fear of CPU death!!
Yes P4's do run cooler. Martin Just trying to help, sometimes falling short, I am only human after all.

 

[AtlasII]

Are you saying I should take out rear case fan and put it on the outside back of the case? Or put extra fan on the back? If I do that, there arent any extra screw holes for extra fan.

Just want to make I understand it clearly.

Yeah, I live in Pennsylvania. It's summer. So, that's probably why it's a bit warmer in my room, although, it's not so bad.

Thanks.