Help w/ # of fans

[hobcat1]

My case is an Antec SX1040, just like the Alienware cases. My problem is this: what should the ambient case temp./CPU temp. stay around? I have two output fans on the back, and one input under the optical drives. Because my Ti4200 was cheaper than usual (albatron), the cooling on it isn't the best. I found somewhere the Card Cooler, where 2 120mm fans are attached inside, aimed directly at the PCI/AGP slots. The new version is huge, being able to cover MANY PCI slots. These three fans (plus ps) are already loud. If I had 1 of these (w/ 2 120mm), it would seem that I might not need all of these fans. Of course, these can only move air already inside the case, so maybe intake would be more important. Let me tell you, this case is loud w/ so many fans. Sounds like an engine revving...Also, because these fans would be aimed at both the AGP and CPU (and have been noted as being able to reduce case temp. 20 degrees), would this provide ample cooling to overclock the CPU? It already has a Thermaltake Volcano6, but w/ seemingly high temps. (around 50 C, plus or minus 5), I really don't know...Although, with MSI boards, they have Fuzzy Logic, where the prog. can auto overclock through windows, and test it after each tiny interval. Seems like a good beginner approach, by increasing multiplier.



MSI KT3 ULTRA-ARU
AMD XP 2000+
Maxtor 80 gb
Albatron Ti 4200 128mb
512 mb DDR333 Samsung

 

[OulOat]

What fans are aim directly at the CPU and AGP? If you are talking about the card cooler, I doubt it will lower your case temp since it's just recirculating the case air. It's probably just messing with the temp sensor by blowing large amounts of air over it.

I said this many times and I will say it again, you don't need powerful fans too cool a case. Silent, low cfms NMBs or panaflos will cool your case fine IF there are no obstructions (fan grills stamped into the case, front bezel, etc) in the way. Your hsfs are way more important for proper cooling. Your case temp shouldn't be but a few degrees higher than ambient room temp.

If you want to overclock get any new Alpha, Swiftech, or Thermaltake HS and use an adjustable Enermax or Ys-tech fan on it. That should leave you with plenty of headroom.