Big Cooling Problem

[Axey]

Hi,

I just built a new system with an Athlon XP 1900, Asus A7V333 motherboard, and, among the various other things, an ATI Radeon 8500. For the CPU fan I got a Thermaltake Volcano 7 (not +). The case is a "standard atx" (no-name POS) with one fan hole in the back and one in the front. Now, the problem I'm having is, even with the case open, I can't get the CPU below about 55 degrees with the CPU fan running at full blast. The system is not overclocked in any way.

The airflow in this case is total crap, if I close the case, my mobo temps go as high as 45 degrees, and CPU 63+. Obviously there's something terribly wrong here for a non-overclocked system.

I investigated a bit, and found the Radeon to be boiling hot - Like, barely touchable. I don't know if this is normal or not, but the heat coming off the radeon is radiating up right into the path of the CPU fan, which could (partially) explain the extremely hot CPU/mobo temps.

So I've decided this case is crap, and went over to NewEgg this morning to get the Chieftec 01bd (or Antec 1030, same thing I gather). This case has many more spaces for adding fans, etc, so I figured it was a good buy, along with the many recommendations posted here.

Now my question is - What fans do you guys recommend for this case? I've seen so many things recommended, I can't quite pick out the ideal solution. I obviously want good cooling to get my case/cpu temps down to a reasonable level, but this computer is in my bedroom, so I don't really want the loudest thing out there.

I'm also going to get a new heatsink, because I'm disappointed with the efficiency of the TT7 (and, well, it's loudness) - The Alpha 8045 seems the way to go, but again, any good "middle of the road" fan choices here? I don't intend to overclock, I just want good cooling but again, at a reasonable noise level.

I appreciate any advice you guys can give. Thanks!

 

[SWScorch]

that case is a very good choice. I for one would recommend Panaflo 80mm fans for it. The L1H series are low cfm, low-noise fans. Since that case you bought has 4 mounting brackets for 80mm fans, IIRC, thenh with 4 of those Panaflos you can excellent airflow with minimal noise. link

As for the heatsink, the 8045 is a very nice heatsink. I would also suggest that you look into the ThermalRight AX-7. Like the Alpha, it uses an 80mm fan, but uses the three cleats on the socket to attach to the CPU, as opposed to the Alpha, in which you must disassemble your computer and mount it to the motherboard.

For the heatsink Fan, I'd recommend a Sunon or Panaflo High Output. This would be a good middle-of-the-road choice.

 

[degeester]

I currently have the Thermaltake 7 for my XP1700+. It cools well but yes a little noisy at the higher RPM setting. I ordered a AX-7 with a Vantec Stealth Fan. I do not intend to overclock and the Vantec is a 3 wire fan so I can use FOC function on the Soyo Dragon + MB. I have a Antec 1035B with four Panaflo L1A's and may replace the two fans in the Antec PS with Panaflo's. I am trying to build a quiet system. Thought about the Alpha Pal 8045 but AX-7 is highly rated and a little cheaper.

 

[Mikewarrior2]

Is your A7v333 set to read the internal diode or socket-thermistor? If that's an internal diode temp, then its probably within "normal" based on your system temp.



Mike

 

[Axey]

SWScorch:

Thanks for all your input. I just ordered the Panaflows from BGMicro. They were a bit cheaper than 2cooltek.

I'll probably be going with the AX7 along with the Sunon fan. I looked around, and that seems like a good middle of the road solution.

Mikewarrior:

I truthfully don't know. I couldn't find any setting in the BIOS or anywhere else that can configure where this is read from. My *guess* would be diode, as this motherboard has this new "CPU Overheating Protection" feature. But I could be totally wrong.

Anyone modify their Antec or Chieftec to have a side-blowing fan? I was thinking that might not hurt either...

 

[KRS62]

I've been struggling with similiar equipment recently as well. Here's what I have just upgraded to:

Athlon XP 1800 (new, not overclocked)
Thermaltake Volcano 7
Asus A7V266 (new)
ATI Radeon 64MB DDR (from old system)
Enlight 7237? (from old system)
Front case fan.

My CPU temps are very close to yours (both in an open and closed case configuration.) My Mobo temps are around 30C though. I have been racking my brain to figure out what's going on! FYI - I put my old Athlon 800 in that MOBO and got pretty much the same temps (maybe a few degrees cooler.) I've have gone through this entire section and nothing has helped really.

I was also looking at a new case, but thought if I have high temps with my current case OPEN, why spend money on a new case??? I bailed out on the TT7. That thing is just way too loud. I picked up a TT6 and it's much quieter.

I have read that ASUS runs a slightly higher voltage to the CPU to ensure stability...would this account for our higher than normal temps?

Why is it that the CPU fan's only point of contact is on 25% of the surface of the chip???? Is there a HSF out there that has a recessed area for that sliver "bump" in the middle? The fan would then fit flush, like on an old K62.

KRS

 

[SWScorch]

It is true that Asus boards read the temps higher than most other boards.

As for the question regarding having a recessed square on the heatsink, that really would not make a difference, as the core is the only part that gives off heat. If AMD had a heat spreader like with the K6 series or like Intel, then the heatsink would contact a greater area. But since they have the core uncovered, thats the only part that touches he heatsink. Having the heatsink contact the ceramic matrix wouldnt help any.

 

[Axey]

KRS62 makes an interesting point - I've noticed that my VCORE is always 1.8 to 1.808 as read by Asus's PC Probe. I originally had Auto set in the bios, but then thought "hrm, maybe if I just manually switch it down to 1.75 it'll be cooler" - Well I did the switch, but even after manually specifying 1.75, it STILL reads as 1.79 - 1.80

Could this be a power supply issue at all? Or is this just the way it is with Asus boards?

 

[Akira13]

<< I investigated a bit, and found the Radeon to be boiling hot - Like, barely touchable. >>


This troubles me. Is your Radeon's cooling fan working? I was thinking of upgrading to one of these, but if it puts out that much heat naturally, then I might not.

 

[Axey]

The cooling fan on the Radeon is working, yeah. It's just running really hot