Case fan layout

MeesterKu · Oct 31, 2003, 12:24 AM

Greetings all,

Well, now I've got a working 9800 Pro, I'm pretty chuffed. There's just one problem - since installing that, and an extra case fan, my PC has started to warm up CONSIDERABLY more. Before, my HDD idle temp would be around 27-32C. Now it's a more worrying 40-44C. Worse still is my CPU, which has been climbing steadily since putting the case back on. Once in the low 40s at idle, it's now hit high 40s. The big eye raiser came when I simply accessed a random folder in Explorer and my PC freaked out and reset it - booting up and operating _VERY_ slowly.

I may suspect this is to with my case fan layout - I currently have three case fans - admittedly, they're not brilliantly ventilated yet, as I'm still making modifications to my PC unit to accomodate. However, I slapped in an extra case fan next to my processor - which is cooled by a Zalman AlCu 9000 (the circular one - not the flower) heatsink+fan. I have one taking air in and one taking air out of their - what I believed would encourage good air circulation and keep the heat out. Am I simply stagnating the hot air - or worse, forcing it all inside my computer, turning it into the inferno it has been? Is it time to get a new heatsink (and if so, which one would best suit my mobo)? Is my graphics card something to do with this? Help, before I - or my processor - fries to death!

Spec is P4 3.06Ghz, WD2000JB HDD, 1Gb PC3500 Kingston RAM, Radeon 9800 Pro, Gigabyte GA-NKXP mobo.

--
MeesterKu

Judas · Oct 31, 2003, 03:48 AM

sounds more like a Power Supply problem...not enough juice....you running 350 watts? (or more).... for that rig...you don't want anything less then 300 FOR SURE... and perfereably a very good one...such as Enermax....

@/2ct!< · Oct 31, 2003, 04:47 AM

WHere are the fans at? Drawing in ones should probably be front and blow over cpu/graphics card, outs should go out top and back, create cooler airflow over parts. I agree, everthyin might not get enough juice to run efficiently, check out psu.

Warpy · Oct 31, 2003, 05:14 AM

Hey Bud,

I had the same problem when i got my 9800 PRO!!

Judas was right. You need more juice bro. Purchase yourself a better PSU, If i where you I'd be inclined to get the most powerful Power supply unit that your wallet will lash out.

~~Optimummind~~ · Oct 31, 2003, 05:35 AM

Believe it or not, being underpowered in PSU strength causes more heat to form inside your case. This happens because your power supply unit has to work harder to supply enough juice to all of your components. The more powerful your PSU, the less harder it has to work. Less work means less heat generated.

Don't buy a cheap PSU even if it comes with a rating of 400 and great watts.
Always buy a name brand PSU and it's also a good idea to buy a power surge protector. If you don't and your area experiences severe power spikes, all of your expensive components may become fried. And you DON'T want that.

Warpy · Oct 31, 2003, 07:28 AM

Whats a good name brand?>

toddsmack2k · Oct 31, 2003, 07:40 AM

Sparkle, Enermax and Antec.

~~Optimummind~~ · Oct 31, 2003, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Funky Monkey
Whats a good name brand?>

I hear a lot of good things about Antec, Vantec, and PC Power and Cooling.

As for Enermax, I've heard many negative feedback.

**MIG-31** · Oct 31, 2003, 09:37 AM

you might want to try here reasonable prices.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...plies_123.html

MeesterKu · Nov 1, 2003, 02:13 AM

Thanks, you guys! I never realised that a low wattage PSU could wreak so much havoc. That'd explain everything. I ordered a 450W Enermax off OCers this afternoon to replace my current Globalwin 320W so hopefully that will arrive on Monday and I can run at a more acceptable speed.

As for my fan layout, I'm using three Coolermaster 80mm fans - I'd upload a crappy B&W MS Paint diagram, but I don't actually have any webspace. ;D Basically, I have two next to my processor - cooled by a Zalman, which take air in and air out. I have one more case fan on the left hand side center of my case (we're talking Midi ATX case here), surrounded by transparent panels. I have room for two more next to the hard drives. Should I buy more case fans to go with my PSU, and if so, do any of you have any recommendations for how best to set them up to get the best possible air flow through my PC and keep the damn thing cool?

Thanks,

--
MeesterKu

Oct 31, 2003, 12:24 AM	#1
MeesterKu DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: England Posts: 55 Rep Power: 0	Case fan layout Greetings all, Well, now I've got a working 9800 Pro, I'm pretty chuffed. There's just one problem - since installing that, and an extra case fan, my PC has started to warm up CONSIDERABLY more. Before, my HDD idle temp would be around 27-32C. Now it's a more worrying 40-44C. Worse still is my CPU, which has been climbing steadily since putting the case back on. Once in the low 40s at idle, it's now hit high 40s. The big eye raiser came when I simply accessed a random folder in Explorer and my PC freaked out and reset it - booting up and operating _VERY_ slowly. I may suspect this is to with my case fan layout - I currently have three case fans - admittedly, they're not brilliantly ventilated yet, as I'm still making modifications to my PC unit to accomodate. However, I slapped in an extra case fan next to my processor - which is cooled by a Zalman AlCu 9000 (the circular one - not the flower) heatsink+fan. I have one taking air in and one taking air out of their - what I believed would encourage good air circulation and keep the heat out. Am I simply stagnating the hot air - or worse, forcing it all inside my computer, turning it into the inferno it has been? Is it time to get a new heatsink (and if so, which one would best suit my mobo)? Is my graphics card something to do with this? Help, before I - or my processor - fries to death! Spec is P4 3.06Ghz, WD2000JB HDD, 1Gb PC3500 Kingston RAM, Radeon 9800 Pro, Gigabyte GA-NKXP mobo. -- MeesterKu

Oct 31, 2003, 04:47 AM	#3
@/2ct!< HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Not Vegas, anymore :( Posts: 1,391 Rep Power: 0	WHere are the fans at? Drawing in ones should probably be front and blow over cpu/graphics card, outs should go out top and back, create cooler airflow over parts. I agree, everthyin might not get enough juice to run efficiently, check out psu. __________________

Oct 31, 2003, 05:14 AM	#4
Warpy DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 2,761 Rep Power: 0	Hey Bud, I had the same problem when i got my 9800 PRO!! Judas was right. You need more juice bro. Purchase yourself a better PSU, If i where you I'd be inclined to get the most powerful Power supply unit that your wallet will lash out. __________________ The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, "I'm from the government and I'm here to help."

Oct 31, 2003, 07:28 AM	#6
Warpy DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 2,761 Rep Power: 0	Whats a good name brand?> __________________ The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, "I'm from the government and I'm here to help."

Oct 31, 2003, 07:40 AM	#7
toddsmack2k It Never..... Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,173 Rep Power: 0	Sparkle, Enermax and Antec. __________________ [color=blue]*Bleeding From the Inside Pouring Out, The* *DriverHeaven* Spiral, We Shall Never Let Go Of.[/color]

Oct 31, 2003, 05:35 AM	#5
~~Optimummind~~ Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Orange, California Posts: 632 Rep Power: 0	Believe it or not, being underpowered in PSU strength causes more heat to form inside your case. This happens because your power supply unit has to work harder to supply enough juice to all of your components. The more powerful your PSU, the less harder it has to work. Less work means less heat generated. Don't buy a cheap PSU even if it comes with a rating of 400 and great watts. Always buy a name brand PSU and it's also a good idea to buy a power surge protector. If you don't and your area experiences severe power spikes, all of your expensive components may become fried. And you DON'T want that.

Oct 31, 2003, 09:37 AM	#9
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 55,739 Rep Power: 441 System Specs	you might want to try here reasonable prices. http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...plies_123.html __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here

Nov 1, 2003, 02:13 AM	Thread Starter #10
MeesterKu DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: England Posts: 55 Rep Power: 0	Aha! Thanks, you guys! I never realised that a low wattage PSU could wreak so much havoc. That'd explain everything. I ordered a 450W Enermax off OCers this afternoon to replace my current Globalwin 320W so hopefully that will arrive on Monday and I can run at a more acceptable speed. As for my fan layout, I'm using three Coolermaster 80mm fans - I'd upload a crappy B&W MS Paint diagram, but I don't actually have any webspace. ;D Basically, I have two next to my processor - cooled by a Zalman, which take air in and air out. I have one more case fan on the left hand side center of my case (we're talking Midi ATX case here), surrounded by transparent panels. I have room for two more next to the hard drives. Should I buy more case fans to go with my PSU, and if so, do any of you have any recommendations for how best to set them up to get the best possible air flow through my PC and keep the damn thing cool? Thanks, -- MeesterKu