Spent 250$ this month on cooling, without result

[JemyM]

Before I burn even more money in cooling (spent 250$ at almost nothing this month) I really need some input from whoever knows more about this thing.

If you visit http://jemym.no-ip.com/dragontower.jpg you will see an image of 'my' tower (mine is not yellow) and the location of all hardware within.

I have also listed all cooling accessories I currently have installed.

The result? 61c idle.

I seem to have made one grand mistake somewhere, and the item that suffers the most are my graphiccard at the moment that have obvious problems with the extra heat currently inside my tower.

My greatest guesses at the moment are the following:
a) The fan's are incorrectly aligned (in/out)
b) The fan's does not have enough cfm to pump the air.
c) The harddrives together is a tough b-t-h to cool.

Any further tip are defenitly welcome.

And before you ask. The rig is *NOT* overclocked. I have never been able to overclock becouse of the heat I have WITHOUT overclocking.


Hardware/Software Essentials:
CPU: Athlon XP 2100+
M.B: EpoX 8K5A2+
GPU: ASUS v8200 GeForce 3 Ti500
RAM: 512mb DDR 333Mhz
SPU: Creative Audigy Soundblaster EX
SCR: Nokia 446XPro

OS: Windows XP SP1
DX: Direct X9

KEY: Noname win95
CAM: Creative WebCam Plus
JOY: 2xGravis GamePad Pro
PAD: Wacom Intuos 2
NET: 2,5mbit down / 750 up

HD1: Western Digital 120gb 8mb 7200rpm
HD2: Western Digital 120gb 8mb 7200rpm
HD3: Western Digital 80gb 8mb 7200rpm
HD4: Maxtor 30gb 5400rpm

Mouse: Intellimouse Explorer 3.0
Scanner: HP DeskJet 980cxi
Printer: HP ScanJet 5400c
Tower: Chieftec Dragon Tower Purple

Best Regards
JemyM

[DenverBuc]

I know this is a stupid question, but you do have some kind of thermal paste between your heatsink and CPU, right?

Also, that 61c idle is your CPU temp, right? What is your ambient case temp and the ambient room temp? Is your PC squeezed into a small space that might restrict airflow or is it open to the room on the back and side?

[DenverBuc]

Also, that's a lot of HD's. Any cooling on those babies?

[DenverBuc]

Hey, looking at that picture, I have a couple more things.

Make sure your HSF is blowing ONTO your heatsink. Much more effective cooling that way.

Probably won't make a huge difference in degrees, but it is the most efficient way to go.

Man that 61c idle temp is worrisome. You sure there is thermal paste and you are sure your heatsink is making good contact with the CPU?

Also, have you tried haviong the side fan blowing out?

*EDIT* Also, are you using round cables? A big mass of flat IDE cables from all of those drives could be blocking / restricting your airflow. Speaking of airflow, you don't have anything creating het near the front of your case where the intake fans would suck in hot air, do you?

[JemyM]

Your first question: Arctic Silver III

For your second question: 35c in the tower and 28,2c in the room (around the computer). It was very hot in sweden today, and swedish houses does not have good AC.

The tower is standing upon a desk. Its aprox 1,5m to the wall to the left, my 19" stands 10cm to its right, and its 20-30 cm towards the wall in the back. No radiator beneath the table or lamps.

Right now the computer is down to 58c idle.

Best Regards
JemyM

[DenverBuc]

OK. So no air restrictions. How about the cables?

About the Arctic Silver III... I have heard some things about bad burn-ins with the stuff leaving the cpu not really covered. Have you tried removing the heatsink, cleaning it and the CPU and reapplying the Arctic Silver III?

Man, 61c idle gives me the heebie-jeebies!

How does the voltage look in the BIOS? Nothing wierd there is there?

[marqmajere]

Alright. Here's one for you. What are you using to monitor the cpu and case temps?

[JemyM]

DenverBuc
---------
No. I do not have any cooling on the harddrives. I dont know what cooling I can get that fits into my tower, but Im gladly accepting tips.

HSF = heat sink fan?
Its screwed on top of the heatsink.

I have applied paste according to the guide on the website. I previously used AS II and after reapplying the sink (after attaching the new fan) I cleaned both the cpu and the sink before applying new paste.
mcx462 is fitted with screws, so it is difficult to apply it incorrectly. I dont think it can be fitted any better than it is right now.

I have not attempted to switch the fan on the left no. Is that a good idea? I could try.

Im using round cables, although the most of the cables are the ones that leads to all fans in the tower. Here's a image taken with my lousy webcam: http://jemym.no-ip.com/cables.jpg

And nothing placed in front or rear the tower.

And last, the voltage is 1.750 that is traditional for a Thoroughbred 2100+


Best Regards
JemyM

[JemyM]

marqmajere

Im using Motherboard Monitor http://mbm.livewiredev.com

I have now ran the computer without top for 30 minutes, and the idle temperature moved up to 62c. (ofcourse, im writing in forums, so its not totally idle)

Best Regards
JemyM

[FastM]

Your motherboard might be reporting the CPU Core temps and not the thermal sensor temps like were all used to. If thats the case then your cpu is actually around 40c, nothing to worry about. I also recommend keeping your tower on the floor, more cold air circulates on the floor.

[JemyM]

I have swapped the flow of the fan (put it downwards so it flow towards the cpu instead of upon it). I have also replaced my tower fans to my 'old' fans. Unfortunate I do not have the specification on them but they are better than 19cfm at least.
I also made my best to 'clean up' betweent the cables

After this I ran a game of quake 3 (didnt came up with anything better to stress the cpu). The result? 60c.

Top put the tower down on the floor is a nice idea. Didnt thought of that actually. I have lifted it a bit much today to have the endurance to move it once more :D but I will do that next time im messing with the interior.

Best Regards
JemyM

[DenverBuc]

60c loaded isn't real bad. How does it look now idle?

[JemyM]

58-59 idle now.

Best Regards
JemyM

[DenverBuc]

I am stumed, man. No way you should be hitting those temps idle. I'm not familiar with your heat sink, but I am assuming it is recommended for AMD processors?

[JemyM]

It have won several contests that declared it no:1 in the world.

Here are two reviews:

http://www.tweaktown.com/document.php?dType=review&dId=410&dPage=6

http://www.systemcooling.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=183

Best Regards
JemyM

[JemyM]

Now with a 2400+ Thoroughbred. 51c...

Best Regards
JemyM

[DaveW]

The fan configuration in your case looks pretty optimal, but I am assuming the fan in your PSU blows out, you may want to check it.

[JemyM]

No, it blows in now. Actually I switched it pretty recently just to see. It lowered the C 3c.

Note that my current chassi fans are worthless.

Best Regards
JemyM