Cooling questions/cooling my system

[Flightsim]

I have decided to build a computer(first time for me) and I have many questions after researching what parts I want to buy, especially on cooling. There seems to be so many cooling options out there, and it gets really confusing for computer dumbie. I don't want to ruin several hundered $$$ of computer parts just because I don't know how to keep things cool, so I want to do my cooling right. I plan on building a system with the following(I think these parts will create the most heat in my computer, but I'm no expert): Intel P4@2.0GHz, Asus P4S333 mobo, MSI GF4 Ti4400, 52X CD-ROM, 80GB 7200rpm HD, 512MB PC2700. The case I plan on buying(Mid-tower, ATX)comes with two 80MM case fans, a power supply fan, and a 350W power supply.

First off, what type of fans will I need and how many? Where should they be placed? I have seen so many fan types(intake, exhaust, 80MM, 120MM, ball-bearing, sleeve, CPU fans, hard drive fans, power supply fans, etc.) but I have no idea what the advantage/purpose of most fans is and what I will need, so I could use some clarification. Also, is my power supply enough? And, what are some good places to buy fans? Last, I suppose this is a dumb question(I am a newbie), but how do you take the internal temperature of your computer? I have never heard about a program that does that and I want to know if my computer is properly cooled once I build it.

I haven't had much trouble picking out what computer parts I want, but it's the annoying little things like cooling that confuse me and I worry about screwing up on. I would appreciate any help and need some advice- thanks.

 

[hardass]

get 2 fans (80mm is fine), one as an intake one as an exhaust, if you dont plan to overclock, then 2 fans are enough.

 

[St3v3]

Hey just a couple recommendations

Get the Northwood CPU (Less heat, and you can get 2100mhz + with no voltage increase)
Also since you don't want to overclock much, get the RDRam (it's overall better anways)

And 2 fans will do you fine with all of that (Intake and exhaust)
Places for fans/and all other cooling accessories

Sidewinder Computers
1CoolPC

To check your temps get a program called Motherboard Monitor on Cnet

Good luck

 

[ubersam]

I have seen so many fan types(intake, exhaust, 80MM, 120MM, ball-bearing, sleeve, CPU fans, hard drive fans, power supply fans, etc.)

It's not really as confusing as you might think. Intake or exhaust depends on how you orient the fan: have it blowing into the case and its an intake fan, flip it around to blow air out of the case and its an exhaust. Simplistically, you would want to put the intake at the bottom front of the case and the exhaust at the back, depending on the case, either above or below the power supply. 80mm and 120mm, etc. are just the sizes (in millimeter). Ball and Sleeve are just the different bearings used in fans. CPU fans, hard drive fans, power supply fans are essentially the same but in a different sizes. For example, some CPU heatsinks can accept 80mm fans, that same fan you can use as an intake or exhaust fan.

get 2 fans (80mm is fine), one as an intake one as an exhaust, if you dont plan to overclock, then 2 fans are enough.

I agree. If you get a retail P4 (instead of OEM), it comes with a heatsink/fan unit - one less cooling option to worry about. The CPU is primarily what you want to keep cool. The idea is to supply the inside of the case with cool air for the HSF and exhaust the heated air. Therefore the exhaust fan is usually where hot air would normally be, near the CPU. In some cases, on top of the case as well, as a blow hole (warm air rises). The power supply should already have a fan or two installed in it, one of which is exhausting heated air. Most video cards would also have it's own HS/F already installed. As for the harddrives, some will say that unless you have a really high speed HD (like a 10k rpm) then you shouldn't need hd cooling. It's not a bad idea though, I'm cooling a pair of 7.2K hds with a pair of 60mm fans as drive bay coolers.

Some of the other options for fans that you might want to consider other than it's size are: how much air it blows (CFM), how loud it is (db's - more fans most likely will mean more noise), how much current it draws (amps or A), the wattage, if it's 3 pin (for mobo header) or 4 pin (for direct to PSU connection) tailed. Double check that you are getting 12 volt fans.

Then check out 2cooltek or SidewinderComputers for available fans.

 

[Flightsim]

Thanks for the replies, they cleared a lot up. Only 2 fans? Guess I was worried about nothing. I forgot to mention I've already been planning to buy the retail version of my CPU(found a website that offers a retail 2.0Ghz P4 with heatsink/fan unit for $200, good deal in my opinion!). Still though, nobody ever told me if a 350W power supply was enough for my system???

 

[hoodwink]

Originally posted by: FlightsimStill though, nobody ever told me if a 350W power supply was enough for my system???

Yeah 350W pwr supply should be plenty enough for your system, assuming you ain't gonna chain a bunch of SCSI drives...you have a mid-tower case, you should be fine. I just ordered an Enermax 350W for my system.

 

[IQJUMPuw]

I have that Enermax 350W Whisper PSU. It's VERY nice. No problems whatsoever.

Look at my sig. I have 4 case fans plus the Enermax 80mm Fan on my heatsink, Cold Cathod Green light for my case, 2 Seagate 40GB ATA100/7200RPM HD's.