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The Official Cooling Thread!

Discussion in 'PC hardware help' started by mastaprk, Apr 17, 2004.

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  1. Praetor

    Praetor Moderator Staff Member

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    It says somehwre in the manual that there is some 30-second circuit protection thingy... thats fine for most people who actually kill power to the PSU (so the PSU is actually off) but when i "shut down" the PSU is still "semi-live" (i.e., i turned off the mobo but not the PSU or somethin to that effect). The safety (anti)feature then kicks in to make sure i dont electrocute myself or somethin silly like that...
     
    Praetor, Apr 21, 2004
    #21
  2. mastaprk

    mastaprk Regular member

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    I now have four stock fans, one intake in the front, 2 blowing out back and one that's blowing at the side toward the video card. With these crappy fans, the CPU stays right around 55°C. So I've decided on the thermaltake 80mm Smartfan II & the Enermax Whispersys System Exhaust Blower (Slot fan), Model "WS-8SLFS". How important is the amount of air intake? It seems that having one fan pulling in and two blowing out w/ the PCI blowing out as well that there is not too much intake. Does this really matter, or is it more important to remove the air from the case? I am also considering the Thermaltake a1745 HSF if the fans do not seem to be a good enough solution. Thx for all the input.
     
    mastaprk, Apr 22, 2004
    #22
  3. Praetor

    Praetor Moderator Staff Member

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    Those only at what,,,, 24cfm? and shouldnt be a "primary" exhaust device :p (in fact i never put it for my vid card), usually either above my vidcard or way at the bottom where there is a deadzone.
     
    Praetor, Apr 22, 2004
    #23
  4. bird1234

    bird1234 Member

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    I used to use the Smartfan II on my cpu. It was on a thermalright copperheatsink. Never had problems with overheating. Of course the sound was a little loud, but everyone in my house got over it. Try getting some Sunon's around 52 CFM. There quieter than the Smartfan and push decent air in a case.

    It's better to have more exhaust than intake, otherwise your leaving too much air in the case. What your running now is not a problem, you just need more intake and exhaust. And another thing, how much dust, hair, mildew, tar buildup from smoking is in your case. I've seen what smoking and cat hair can do to a computer, and it's not a pretty site. Another problem I've seen is a person putting their computer in front of a heating duct. Keep your computer away from direct sunlight, that don't help either.

    So many don'ts and so few do's, the life of a computer tech.
     
    bird1234, Apr 22, 2004
    #24
  5. mastaprk

    mastaprk Regular member

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    Thx for everyone's input, I finally placed an order for 3 Thermaltake Smart Case fans II With "CoolMod" Variable Fan Speed Controlled by Temperature Sensor, a Thermaltake EXTREME VOLCANO 12 a1745 and Arctic Silver Premium Silver Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound Model "Arctic Silver 5", and an Antec "Cyclone Blower" Slot Mounted Cooling fan Model "77094". I've never installed a HSF, is there anything that I need to know about or any advice or tips on this?

    No pets & non smoker, so I think dust is the only factor. PC isn't near sunlight or a heating duct.
     
    mastaprk, Apr 23, 2004
    #25
  6. bird1234

    bird1234 Member

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    Congrats on the cooling your getting. I believe that even your new fan on your heatsink has the smartfan 2 as well. Well you will have some noise in your system for cooling, but hey it should be worth it. It's good that you don't have cats or smoking, trust me, your computer thanks you, they don't like second-hand smoke very much. As far as placement goes, it's obviously best to have and even amount coming into the case and going out, but never have more air coming in than going out, that's a bad thing. Place them where you feel it is needed the most, or convience wise, wiring could get fun. Also one other thing, is your PSU going to handle the extra workload in there? Praetor, I use the Enermax 460W which gives a nice amount of 32A on the 12V. Plenty of power to run the 5 HD's, DVD-Burner, and a little of cooling and lighting. :) It cost around 80 us dollars.
     
    bird1234, Apr 23, 2004
    #26
  7. XxHaXx

    XxHaXx Guest

    Hello all, I'm glad the cooling issue was started. Man do Nephilim and Praetor know their stuff! :p Anyway..quick question. The only places I have for fun are: 2 spots on top, 1 on side, and 2 in the back. What would your recomendation be? Also, I have an AMD 64bit processor, any recomended heat sink or HSF for this? Thanks..
     
    XxHaXx, Apr 26, 2004
    #27
  8. Praetor

    Praetor Moderator Staff Member

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    For any future questions of the sort (not just you but people in general) please specify if possible (a) tolerance for noise vs desire for coolage and (b) budget and (c) for chassis fans, what size you are cosidering For now I'll try and cover everything again :p

    First the CPU coolers.....

    DEAD SILENCE
    Swiftech MCX6400V
    [​IMG]
    http://www.3dcool.com/?module=product&sku=MCX6400-V
    If you dont intend to do overclocking, running this baby raw (depending on your geographic region) may be a possibility.... the mention of "Swiftech" implies raw heatsink power... a very promising heatsink indeed

    QUIET (cough)wussy(cough) :p
    Thermaltake's (Venus) Silent Boost K8
    [​IMG]
    http://www.thermaltake.com/coolers/venus/rs/a1838.htm
    Overall not a bad fan, very quiet but as it is with quiet fans, I'm always paranoid as to whether the damn thing is on or whether its burned out and my CPU is getting hot and angry with me.

    Swiftech's MCX64V
    [​IMG]
    http://www.swiftnets.com/products/mcx64-V.asp
    Prolly based on the concepts that lead to (or from) the MCX6400V heatsink mentioned above, this baby comes with a pretty little fan to handle dissiptation. It might actually be the same heatsink... didnt bother reading all that jargon :p

    Coolermaster's Hyper 6
    [​IMG]
    http://www.coolermaster.com/index.p...p_serial=KHC-V81&other_title=+KHC-V81+Hyper 6
    A very nifty idea provided your environment allows for this kinda passive cooling (i.e., if you dont live in the middle of the friggen desert) because I imagine most of the cooling will be from the heatpipe rather than the dinky little fan thats installed.

    SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN
    Coolermaster's Vortex Dream
    [​IMG]
    http://www.coolermaster.com/index.p...ial=ACC-U72&other_title=+ACC-U72+Vortex Dream
    Now this is a very interesting design indeed especially with the way the heatsink works. The only concerns that arise are (a) is the heatsink big enough (this is a low profile fan)? and (b) do you live in a highdust environement which will mean that fancy heatsink action wont last very long.

    Thermaltake's Venus 12
    [​IMG]
    http://www.3dcool.com/?module=product&sku=A1744
    This is the non-silence version of their Venus12 series for the AMD64 chips. You'll prolly want to run this on the medium-faster end so expect ~4000rpm and ~40db. A very solid fan all around. I was a big fan of their Volcano+ Series for the K7s and the Venus line has not let me down

    Evercool's Copper Cold Fin
    [​IMG]
    http://www.3dcool.com/?module=product&sku=ECK802715
    A seemingly simple design however if seems that there isnt enough airflow for that kinda noise level.

    SHEER BRUTE FORCE
    Thermaltake's POLO 735 Extreme
    [​IMG]
    http://www.thermaltake.com/coolers/comboCool/a2144Polo735/polo735.htm
    This is a beast of a fan... a slight pain in the arse to install but if you do manage to install it without destroying the CPU, MOBO or your fingers then you're in for some nice air cooling.

    MISC CRAP
    Sunbeam Duct
    [​IMG]
    http://www.bigfootcomputers.com/Mer...n=PROD&Product_Code=4528&Category_Code=700.65
    If you're willing to give up one of the fan slots (or cut a new one), this baby can help you either quickly vent out hot air or suck in the cold stuff in a jiffy :D ... I highly reccommend it (not neccessarily this exact product but this kinda deal)

    Now if you want to get into Thermoelectric (my fav) or Watercooling then thats a completely different story.... :D

    As for the chassis fan... i'm assuming they are all 80mm?... In general I would stay away from the "temperature controlled" ones since Id rather have control over the temperaure and turn the fans up BEFORE the computer gets hot rather than deal with the heat once its there....

    QUIET
    Vantec Stealth 80mm
    [​IMG]
    http://www.vantecusa.com/pdf/sf8025l.pdf
    This is Vantec's quiet one and very quiet fan indeed, highly reccomended for those who consider normal conversations to be deafeaning. :p

    SilentX 80mm
    [​IMG]
    http://www.3dcool.com/?module=product&sku=SILENXFAN
    These have got to be some of the quietest fans I have ever touched.... not a lot of airflow but heck... they are friggen quiet! :D

    Some Noname Aluminum 80mm Fan
    [​IMG]
    http://www.3dcool.com/?module=product&sku=ALUMINUMFAN
    The odd time we get a fan that does a decent CFM with low volume -- and looks good! (depending on tastes, not mine for instance :p)

    IN BETWEEN
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    http://www.3dcool.com/?module=product&sku=FAN8025H1ABX
    This fan offers a very respectable CFM for db ratio and from one of the "oldschool" manufacturers

    Thermaltake UFO Fan 92mm
    [​IMG]
    http://www.xoxide.com/ufofan2.html
    Damn if these babies came in 80mm.... (they might I just couldnt be bothered to look it up)

    LOUD
    Vantec Tornado 80mm
    [​IMG]
    http://www.vantecusa.com/pdf/td8038h.pdf
    Can't really talk about chassis fans without mentionining this beast! Put this baby on the top of the case to evac hot air at 119 CFM! :) And it's always nice to be able to tell the fans are operational by hearing them :p

    And now to some fun gadets for your cooling needs...

    ACCESSORIES
    Vantec Nexus 201 Fan Controller
    [​IMG]
    http://www.xoxide.com/nexfanconnxb.html
    One of the kewlest little toys... this was/is my first fan controller... very reliable (until it died one day completely out of the blue..... since Vantec has served me well in the past, ill still reccomend this product) They also have a 3.5inch version (model 205)

    No-name 6-fan Fan Controller
    [​IMG]
    http://www.xoxide.com/56knulpa.html
    Another very solid product :)

    Matrix Orbital VFD
    [​IMG]
    http://www.matrixorbital.com/pages/product_view.asp?CatID=5&ProductID=36
    Nothing quite as cool as adding one of these to the front of your case! (i dont have one yet... but that's just a finance issue :p)

    Fan Filters
    [​IMG]
    http://www.xoxide.com/fanfilter.html
    One of the more useful things if you live in a dusty environment :)


    I hope that helps you on your way to cooling paradise :)
    _
    _X_X_X_X_X_[small]ASUS A7V8X-X, AMD2500+
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    Last edited: Apr 26, 2004
    Praetor, Apr 26, 2004
    #28
  9. Nephilim

    Nephilim Moderator Staff Member

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    I can't believe you forgot mine, Praetor! :p

    [​IMG]

    Keeps me P4 3.06 under 55C under load :) It has a copper slug in the center and it's not too noisy. Kinda neat how the fan is driven by magnets at the corners so no dead spot in the center airflow-wise.
    _X_X_X_X_X_[small][​IMG]
    JMLS-166S/Plextor PX-708A/Plextor Premium[/small]
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2004
    Nephilim, Apr 26, 2004
    #29
  10. XxHaXx

    XxHaXx Guest

    Uh oh Preator! I saw one of your recomendations on the first page, and went out and bought a Thermaltake A1745 Extreme VOLCANO 12 Fan for my CPU. I guess I didn't pay enough attention as to if it was for my 64 processor. Do you have any idea if it will still work? If not..anyone want to buy one!? :-(
     
    XxHaXx, Apr 27, 2004
    #30
  11. Praetor

    Praetor Moderator Staff Member

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    The Volcano series, an excellent series btw, is for K7.... the Venus line of HSFs are for the K8s. ... in general when i reccomend fans i reccomend for the K7/P4 rather than with K8s in mind. Srry for the mixup.

    Oh and Nephilim: my reccomends were for K8's :p ... and i try and stick to the all-copper HSFs :)
    _X_X_X_X_X_[small]ASUS A7V8X-X, AMD2500+
    Samsung 1024MB, PC2700
    480GB [3x160GB, 7200, 8MB]
    MSI Starforce, GeForce4 Ti4400 128MB

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    Last edited: Apr 27, 2004
    Praetor, Apr 27, 2004
    #31
  12. XxHaXx

    XxHaXx Guest

    So what I ordered want work with my AMD 64?? Please respond.
     
    XxHaXx, Apr 27, 2004
    #32
  13. Praetor

    Praetor Moderator Staff Member

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    If you bought the Volcano 12, Volcano 12+, Volcano 12 Extreme or Volcano with Silent Boost or any Thermaltake HSF that says Silent Boost AND K7 then it will not work. Also, take a look at the little instruction guide/manual thingy... if it says something like "Designed for up to XP3400.." it will wont work becase "XP" is K7.

    If you bought a Venus 12, Venus 12 with Silent Boost or any Thermaltake HSH that says Silent Boost AND K8/Opteron then it will work.
     
    Praetor, Apr 27, 2004
    #33
  14. Praetor

    Praetor Moderator Staff Member

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    Mastaprk: unless you have any horrible objections, i've changed the title of this thread from "Problem w/ ATI 9600XT & Warcraft III Frozen Throne" to...well... what it is now. Complain if you must ;-)
     
    Praetor, Apr 28, 2004
    #34
  15. mastaprk

    mastaprk Regular member

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    Doesn't bother me at all! Actually, I found that the problem isn't with the temp for the video card, but a problem with this PC b/c it works fine in my other PC. I am in the process of trying some things out to get this card working. Thx for the help though.
     
    mastaprk, Apr 28, 2004
    #35
  16. Praetor

    Praetor Moderator Staff Member

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    Glad I could help, if you need anything else just post away! :)
     
    Praetor, Apr 29, 2004
    #36
  17. XxHaXx

    XxHaXx Guest

    I've got a question for anyone. My current motherboard includes nifty software to overclock within windows!! Very nice, I know. When idle, my PC CPU temp hovers around 48'C. The native clock speed of my AMD 64 3000+ is 2000 MHz 200FSB x 10=2000 MHz. The speed is werid, but said to be close to P4 3GHz CPUs. Anyway, when I move FSB to 210, making the speed 2100MHz, then start up a game of say Soldier Of Fortune II, the game freezes, and windows tells me the Graphics card has stoped receiving commands. I'm getting a new HSF, and a little something for my ATI Radeon 9700 Pro. Do you think it's the video card overheating or what? Thanks.
     
    XxHaXx, Apr 29, 2004
    #37
  18. mastaprk

    mastaprk Regular member

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    Update:
    I just installed all of the cooling equipment I got in (took a lot longer than I had expected) and the idle temp now is 39°C and system is loud as hell. I need to do some tweaks to get the sound/temp ratio down a little bit. Sound isn't too big of a factor for me though, I will try to put in the Radeon 9600XT tomorrow and see if I can run some games w/o it freezing up, but I believe that the temp wasn't the problem. Appreciate all of the recommendations and I am satisfied w/ my purchases and results.
     
    mastaprk, Apr 29, 2004
    #38
  19. Praetor

    Praetor Moderator Staff Member

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    Grab a fan controller and the noise wont bother ya much! (and u can always ramp the rpm if things get too warm) :) That was a major problem with the Palomino's (I have a XP2100 as well, but a Volcano12-Silentboost on it and it behaves itself)
     
    Praetor, May 2, 2004
    #39
  20. mastaprk

    mastaprk Regular member

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    Okay, I definitely know that the temp. wasn't causing the video card to keep freezing up and restarting the PC. Also, the video card isn't defective since it works perfectly fine in my other PC. I have all of the updated software and drivers, but for some reason the PC still hoses up when trying to play UT2003 and Warcraft III: Frozen Throne. I am getting frustrated and will probably wind up reformatting the HD and reinstalling everything. If anyone knows of anything else I can try or any tips on this, please let me know.
     
    mastaprk, May 2, 2004
    #40
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