Need help lowering system temps

[Ike0069]

I have an Antec Sonata with the components listed below.
My computer sits in a room that is not really temperature controlled. It's cooler in the winter, and can be much warmer in the summer than the rest of the house.

Now that it's warming up outside, I've noticed my temps increasing while gaming. My system temp was up to 45C this weekend, and it's only May.

I have a Sonata with the 2nd 120 mm fan installed. I was thinking about getting a HD cooler, a NV silencer for the VC, or even a PCI slot fan. Bascially i just need to get more air moving thru the case.

My VC is back at stock speeds just to minimize the heat load inside the case.

Any suggestions?

 

[krcat1]

Have you considered a case mod to put in another fan, esp. on the side.
I have a Antec 2665, which is similiar to the sonata, except I have a 92 in front, and an 80 on the side.

I have a P4, but my temps are low.

 

[Ike0069]

Yea, I've also been thingk about that.
Maybe put a 80 mm fan near the bottom of the case blowing in?

 

[wisdomtooth]

Hi Ike,

Things I would consider:

1) Get a window-mounted air conditioning unit. (best solution probably-- Because we humans need cooling too! :laugh: )

2) Think about replacing that stock PSU in your Sonata. It uses a dinky 80mm fan that does not vent particularly well. You might want to replace it with a PSU that uses a 120mm or 140mm fan-- Those will move a lot more air through your case.

3) More powerful 120mm fan.

4) An NV Silencer is definitely a good idea.

5) Case mods.

HTH!

 

[Ike0069]

I'd like to replace the PSU witha 2 fan design, but it works great so I have a hard time justifying that move.

I think maybe I should add a couple of 80mm side fans, and maybe even a top fan, or at least a vent.

 

[wisdomtooth]

Originally posted by: Ike0069
I'd like to replace the PSU witha 2 fan design, but it works great so I have a hard time justifying that move.

I think maybe I should add a couple of 80mm side fans, and maybe even a top fan, or at least a vent.

A PSU with two 80mm fans DOES NOT vent any better than a single 80mm-fan PSU. Airflow depends on the size of the opening, and that 80mm fan in the back is the bottleneck. Don't take my word for it-- PC Power & Cooling doesn't think 2 80mm fans are better than 1 either.

In the future if you DO replace your PSU, get one with one single 120mm or 140mm fan. Those are far superior in venting than 80mm-fan models.

HTH.

 

[Lysawy]

if at stock speeds run cool 'n quiet plus all those mods mentioned above and you will notice a big difference.....

 

[imported_Kensai]

BFH is the way to go. (Big fricking holes)

 

[pulsedrive]

With an A64 running 45C you really aren't in trouble there, I am suprised no one else mentioned this. I am guessing that is one of the older 130nm cores since the MoBo is a little older, and the top specs on one of those is 70C, so as long as you aren't inching up towards 60C I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[wisdomtooth]

Originally posted by: pulsedrive
With an A64 running 45C you really aren't in trouble there, I am suprised no one else mentioned this. I am guessing that is one of the older 130nm cores since the MoBo is a little older, and the top specs on one of those is 70C, so as long as you aren't inching up towards 60C I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Dude, that's not his CPU temp. It's his system temp that's hitting 45C.

The question is, which system temp? It might be OK if it's the PWM temp, but if it's the case temp, it's definitely bad.

 

[Ike0069]

I believe it to be the case temp. But to tell the truth, I'm not exactly sure where the sensor is. Is there a way to find out the exact location of that sensor?

 

[theMan]

where are you seeing these temps? motherboard monitor? which reading is it?

 

[Ike0069]

Yea, MBM5 and right now it says: case 37C CPU 42C Sensor 3 0C

 

[The Boston Dangler]

The Sonata suffers from terrible air flow. I suggest putting in a beefy 120mm fan with a controller, Panaflo's are the current fave. You'll need to leave a 5 1/4 blank out of the case, to let more air in. If not, then the bigger fan will draw air backwards through the PS, which is bad. Stick with the PS, there's nothing wrong with it. Don't use the Fan Only connectors, as they start at only 5 VDC, not enough to start a big fan.

I have proven this move is very effective and relatively cheap.

Double check the MBM site for setup for your board. Don't rely on the default setup.
Cool n Quiet does NOTHING while your CPU is loaded. It only reduces temps at idle. Still a nice feature tho.