3.0GHz Prescott running hot -- SFF case to blame? Or maybe the thermal paste?

[Endarkened]

I just built a SFF box (Shuttle ST62K "Zen") for a friend of mine who will be taking it back to Japan with them in a week. They don't do much gaming or any overclocking, so I thought it would be fine just to use the sticky, white thermal compound that came with Shuttle's I.C.E. heatpipe cooling system. However, the BIOS temps have me a little concerned (no Windows installed yet, but from my research, this motherboard doesn't yet support monitering software anyway).

The idle cpu temps never drop below 54C (system at 45C) with the fan set to full speed (4000 rpm and really loud), and never goes under 56C with the fan on medium (3000 rpm and not quiet).

So anyway, the possible problems spots that I can think of are:

-- I possibly applied the compound a little too liberally (not extremely thick, but maybe not thin enough that it could be categorized as a "translucent layer"), and should try cleaning the proc and reapplying

-- I shouldn't be using this compund in the first place and it would be best to just switch to some arctic silver

-- The Prescott core is simply a hot proc and these temps aren't all that crazy, given that it's a cramped sff box with only a single fan mounted on an indirect, heatpipe cooling system

So, what do you guys think my next step should be? I kinda wish I would have just ordered some AS5 to begin with from Newegg with the rest of the order, but I guess if I ordered it now, it should get to me before my friend has to leave. Or should I not be so worried about it? since I doubt they'll ever be putting the CPU under full load...

Here's a link to a site with some pix of the this particular box and its cooling setup: http://systems.pimprig.com/barebones/shuttle_xpc_zen_(st62k).php?page=3

Any advice will be greatly appreciated,

~EnDarkEnd

 

[wisdomtooth]

45C case temps at idle is your problem.

The CPU heatsink can only do so much when all the air around it is hot. You need to improve ventilation in the case-- Figure out some way to get all the hot air out and cool air into the case..

HTH.

 

[Endarkened]

Ok, I pulled the case off and aimed a 10 inch table fan at it -- the system temps have dropped to ~30C, and the CPU temp is hovering around 49C. I'm not sure how I could go about adding airflow to the case itself, as it's very small, and my friend is adverse to any extreme modding... Any ideas?

Thanks,

~EnDarkEnd

 

[wisdomtooth]

Well... Right now the problem with the Shuttle I think is that it has plenty of exhaust but not enough intake.

So, short of cutting holes in the case and mounting extra fans to improve ventilation, the only other thing I can think of would be to leave the 3.5" drive bay empty and open, if your friend does not use a floppy or card reader. That'll let a little more cool air into the case and maybe improve the situation a bit.


HTH.

 

[jose]

It looks like the mobo is socket 478, so return the Preshot for a P4C northwood processor they run alot cooler than the preshot's..

A northwood would run about 26C-30C depending on which processor.

To start the small case's don't have the same cooling options as a regular case so you should be careful w/ what you put in it..

The worst you could do is put a highend video card & a preshot in it.

What do you have in the case ? ie video , hd, etc.

Regards,
Jose

 

[Endarkened]

wisdomtooth:

I tried removing the 3.5 in faceplate, but didn't really see any change in temps (maybe 1 degree lower)

jose:

I've got DVD burner, 7200 rpm hdd, and a Radeon 9200 PCI vid card in -- that's all. If I were to return the prescott to Newegg, do you think they'd be able to get a replacement to me by the endof the week? I've never had to return anything to them, so I'm not sure on the costs (both time and monetary).

I'm really beginning to wonder if it might be the case that the sensor isn't reading correctly... Placing my hand right behind the back fan, I really don't feel much heat at all -- just slightly warmer than room temp (nothing at all like the 45C it's displaying).

Thanks for the ideas,

~EnDarkEnd

 

[Dough1397]

try putting a fan by the 3.5 inch opening when the faceplate isnt there....

 

[Endarkened]

Tried that, and it keeps it around the same as when I had the cover off with the fan on it (~50C idle). I don't think they'll really be wanting to keep a fan trained on it at all times, though...

I think I'm gonna just go ahead with installing windows and hope it stays stable. Maybe I can find a 3rd party prog. for reading the temps if I look around a bit.

~EnDarkEnd

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Endarkened
-- The Prescott core is simply a hot proc and these temps aren't all that crazy, given that it's a cramped sff box with only a single fan mounted on an indirect, heatpipe cooling system

Bingo.

One thing you can do is to increase airflow. One FREE method is to cut out the exhaust area behind the heatpipe radiator. This way air can leave the case with less resistance. This is FREE and increases the airflow without increasing system noise.

The next step after this is to get a fan with a slightly higher CFM and increase intake airflow by enlarging vent holes on the sides.

 

[wisdomtooth]

Originally posted by: Endarkened
I tried removing the 3.5 in faceplate, but didn't really see any change in temps (maybe 1 degree lower)

That Shuttle has no vents whatsoever anywhere in the case except the back. If you have a power drill with a 3" hole saw attachment, you can cut a 3" round hole neatly and put in an 80mm case fan near the front to draw in cool air. I think it's probably the best option you have.

 

[Endarkened]

Thanks for the suggestions guys -- I think I'll try removing the rear grating first, and if that doesn't help enough, see what I can do as far as a low-profile mod to the front goes.

Windows is on the machine right now, and it seems to be running fine through the vaious installation processes -- I'll see if it can handle some benching later today.

~EnDarkEnd