Hard Light Productions Forums

Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rictor on July 14, 2003, 05:54:24 pm

Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Rictor on July 14, 2003, 05:54:24 pm
Ok guys heres the situation

Over the past few weeks, its been very hot here (Frozen North my ass). My computer overheats and freezes up. To try to fix the problem, I recently installed an extra fan in the back of the case, nothing fancy just a 5$ cheapo one. That didn't seem to help, so my bro got the idea of opening up the case on one side and putting the big desk fan right beside the computer. I worked in a computer store for a while, and I remember that a computer case is usually better cooled while closed. My dad confirms this. Nevertheless, this has been our setup for the past few days. I even installed a Motherboard Montior program to check the temperature.

The comp runs between 65 and 73 C usually, at which point (72-73) it freezes. I know this isn't normal, even for an AMD processor (AMD 1700+ 1.5Ghz), but I can't seem to get the temperature any lower. Sometimes it can run for hours without freezing, and sometimes its runs for 20-30 mins and then freezes.


Anyone have a solution?? Its really bothering me.

PS: Should the fan in the back of the case be blowing in or out of the comp? We tried it both ways and there doesn't seem to be a difference, but I'm pretty sure there is a right way and a wrong way..
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Thorn on July 14, 2003, 05:59:06 pm
Get two fans, mount one on the top, other bottom, or front/back either works, it gets the air moving in the case...
get abigger heatsink/fan..
Thermaltake Volcano's work great...
the one I have is this monster solid copper heatsink with this huge fan on it.. my comp sounds like a Jet, but its cool...
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Rictor on July 14, 2003, 06:00:34 pm
Maybe I should mention that money is an issue:D :D
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: diamondgeezer on July 14, 2003, 06:01:56 pm
What you want is one of these:

(http://www.endpcnoise.com/e/images/items/CNPS6000-CU_FHS.jpg)

Mine keeps my AMD XP 1.53 at a frosty 40c or below, even in this heatwave :nod:
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Grey Wolf on July 14, 2003, 06:07:53 pm
Another thing you can try is what I just spent the last half hour messing with: Voltage reductions :)
I got my AXP 1800+ (which is what I believe you have) overclocked by 300 MHz, and then reduced the voltage by .025V to 1.575, and it runs quite stably :)

EDIT: If that doesn't work, try going for a good, yet cheap heatsink. My Glacialtech keeps my cpu in the mid 50s even with the overclock, and I've heard good things about Speeze heatsinks, too.
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: diamondgeezer on July 14, 2003, 06:09:06 pm
:wtf: You overclocked it... and reduced the voltage?
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Grey Wolf on July 14, 2003, 06:14:50 pm
Yep, and it's stable :p
Went from 11.5 x 133 (1.53 GHz) to 11.0 x 166 (1.83 GHz) and managed to reduce the voltage.
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Rictor on July 14, 2003, 06:15:47 pm
DG: :eek2: :eek2: That thiing looks like it's used to cool NASA. Where does the computer fit?

Yeah, if this keeps up, I guess I'll have to get a new heatsink..

What I'm really trying to ask here is: "Can you please point out what I am doing obviously wrong, so that I can easily fix my mistake using existing equipment and minimal time"

Maybe I just overestimate the effeiciency of computers.
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: diamondgeezer on July 14, 2003, 06:15:48 pm
May well try and o/c my CPU... is that the most you got out of yours, or are you simply making a token gesture towards safety?

Rictor: you clip it over your CPU like any other heatsink, but the 120mm fan is supported by a bracket screwed in to the screw holes used to secure your PCI cards. You can also get an aluminium/copper version which looks pretter but isn't as efficient.
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Grey Wolf on July 14, 2003, 06:18:57 pm
Token gesture towards safety :p
I've got it up to 2 GHz (12 x 166) @ 1.7 Volts, but I prefer 11 x 166 since it runs quite a bit cooler thanks to the lower voltage. I tried 12.5 x 166, which is the max I could even attempt to pull off with my system, but it failed to get into Windows at the maximum voltage my board'll put out (1.7).
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: vyper on July 14, 2003, 07:18:25 pm
Quote
Originally posted by diamondgeezer
What you want is one of these:

(http://www.endpcnoise.com/e/images/items/CNPS6000-CU_FHS.jpg)

Mine keeps my AMD XP 1.53 at a frosty 40c or below, even in this heatwave :nod:


Dear God that is one freaky looking bit of hardware!

Meh, this heatwave blows now -  I'm sunburnt. :hopping:
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Grey Wolf on July 14, 2003, 07:29:44 pm
To tell you the truth, as opposed to that Zalman, I'd prefer this:
(http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/35-108-019-01.JPG)
The Swiftech 462+. Weight: 650g
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Rictor on July 14, 2003, 07:36:58 pm
:wtf: :wtf:

Ok, I think you misunderstand...my computer is a regular sized case, not a freaking server. As a general rule of thumb, if the heatsink is bigger than your head, its a no go:D :D

Cmon guys, does anyone know a solution. I'm sure you dont all have fancy fans and heatsinks, so whats your method??
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Grey Wolf on July 14, 2003, 07:45:19 pm
I know :p I just felt like posting it. Want my realistic suggestion? The Glacialtech 2500, an updated version of the one I have. It cools better than the Zalman, and is cheaper.
(http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/35-104-118-02.JPG)
$25 (USD) at www.newegg.com
The primary difference between this one and mine is the heatsink is copper instead of aluminum, and costs $10 more.
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: tEAbAG on July 14, 2003, 07:46:58 pm
Get a cheep little blower from radio shack and use your existing fans to get an intake/outake thing going.  Depending on your case you might have to cut some holes.  I used this on my old 700 mHz athlon/GeForce 128(both 1st gen), which was a pretty hot combo, and never really had heat problems.  You might want to go to the next step up on your heat sinks though, the manufacture's ones suck for overclocking.
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: IceFire on July 14, 2003, 08:06:55 pm
Aside from fans...ensure that there is proper airflow within the case itself by keeping the wires together and out of the way (cheap pastic ties to keep the wires bundled together works very nicely).

65c idle isn't a good temperature, even for one of the earlier Athlons.
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Admiral LSD on July 15, 2003, 04:16:11 am
This thread has giving me a couple of ideas as to what to replace my Volcano 9 with. Right now, my CPU (a 2400+ XP at stock speed/voltage) still gets to 40-42C under load which isn't good enough seeing as the ambient temperatures are in the 20-25C range and we're a few months off a 40C average ambient temp summer period. That big mofo diamondgeezer posted is out of the question as it costs AUD$110 which I won't pay for a heatsink but the other two look like they may be worth investigating. The other alternative is water cooling but that's outlandishly expensive too.
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Fineus on July 15, 2003, 05:14:39 am
Seems like this is the best place to ask my question:

Whats the "average" running temperature for a AMD T-Bred 2600GHz CPU in a fairly hot climate? I swear that despite my best attempts it's still running to hot.. but then I'm not sure if that is true or not.
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: kasperl on July 15, 2003, 07:59:03 am
another question, can a CRT monitor suffer from heat problems?

i get flashy stripes on my screen, and it only get's worse as the temperature rises, is this due to the heat, or do i need a new screen?

also, i hate heat, i can't stand this wheater.
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: diamondgeezer on July 15, 2003, 08:11:18 am
Tell what I'm gonna do is to link to Tom's Hardware Guide (www.tomshardware.com) - have a go with their forums, you'll soon get answeres for questions like these
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: IceFire on July 15, 2003, 08:58:31 am
Quote
Originally posted by Kalfireth
Seems like this is the best place to ask my question:

Whats the "average" running temperature for a AMD T-Bred 2600GHz CPU in a fairly hot climate? I swear that despite my best attempts it's still running to hot.. but then I'm not sure if that is true or not.

If its around 42c core chip temperature then you're doing just fine.  Ambient temperatures should sit about 28-32c probably...for optimal running.  Thats what mine is at (2700+ mind you).  Most of the time those temps are a little off anyways and its alot cooler than that.
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Rictor on July 15, 2003, 10:44:11 am
Alrighty, I'll try to experiment and get a good airflow going. It seems preferable to spending 40-50 bucks on a new heatsink.

OK now, for the important questions. To establish proper airflow, I should:

1. Have the case closed, right?
2. Have the fan in the back of the case blowing INTO the case, right?

Yesterday, I took off the fan from the heatsink and cleaned it out (the heatsink). It was very dusty and stuff. But, that didn't seem to help much. I think maybe the thermal paste stuff between the CPU and the heatsink could be the problem. I don't want to take of the heatsink itself until I get some of that stuff to put back on.

Another thing, when I check the temp in BIOS (after the comp has been off for a whille), it says 40 C, but when I finish starting up Windows, Motherboard Monitor says 60-65 C. Is it normal for the CPU to heat up 20 degrees during startup?
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: IceFire on July 15, 2003, 02:40:44 pm
Motherboard monitor and your BIOS may be incorrectly determining the temperatures.

With the case door on is probably going to give better airflow through the case from the front to be blown out the back yes...
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Fineus on July 15, 2003, 02:55:31 pm
But that doesn't necessarily mean you'll get lower temps than if you took the side off and pointed a fan at it - it depends on your rig.

Thanks for the rough temps btw Ice - although mines running at 60degrees at the moment... kinda disturbing to be honest :doubt:
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: IceFire on July 15, 2003, 03:20:29 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Kalfireth
But that doesn't necessarily mean you'll get lower temps than if you took the side off and pointed a fan at it - it depends on your rig.

Thanks for the rough temps btw Ice - although mines running at 60degrees at the moment... kinda disturbing to be honest :doubt:

What kind of cooling do you have?  I've got a stock AntecPlus AMG660 case with front air vent, rear fan, dual fans on the power supply, and a AGP slot fan and vent.  Stock AMD cooler for the 2700+.

My temps do not varry much at all.  Load its at 42c...idle its at 39c.  Must be working well or something...the whole fan speed control thing of the PSU and the Asus MOBO.
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: diamondgeezer on July 15, 2003, 03:34:05 pm
Hmm... my BIOS monitor says my CPU is at 53c, whist my Asus Probe in Windows says it's at 41c... odd.
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Grey Wolf on July 15, 2003, 05:44:29 pm
(Double post, can't delete it)
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Grey Wolf on July 15, 2003, 05:46:53 pm
LSD, if you get the Swiftech (the 500g monster I posted first), you'll need to pick up a fan, too. I suggest getting one of the Thermaltake Smart Fan IIs. Good airflow, and you can set it to self adjust, go at maximum all the time, or manually adjust it. I'd almost suggest getting one of the Thermaltake fans if you get the Glacialtech, too. The fan that comes with the 2500 is designed to be a silent fan, so only runs between 2000-3000 RPMs (the one I have is actually the 2410 Pro, which is the same as the 2500 but made of aluminum instead of copper and with a faster fan)
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: IceFire on July 15, 2003, 10:54:58 pm
Quote
Originally posted by diamondgeezer
Hmm... my BIOS monitor says my CPU is at 53c, whist my Asus Probe in Windows says it's at 41c... odd.

More often than not, the Asus probe has more accurate numbers than most of the BIOS.  There's been issues with the wrong numbers being displayed in the BIOS...
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Admiral LSD on July 15, 2003, 11:19:48 pm
I always thought it was the other way around: Asus probe showed the dodgy temps and the BIOS was pretty accurate.
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: IceFire on July 16, 2003, 07:15:49 am
Quote
Originally posted by Admiral LSD
I always thought it was the other way around: Asus probe showed the dodgy temps and the BIOS was pretty accurate.

I suppose thats a possibility too...but I know for a fact that older Revs of the A7N8X definately were displaying the wrong temps in the bios.
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Grey Wolf on July 16, 2003, 07:08:23 pm
Hmm... You have any clues about MSI boards, PC Alert, and the BIOS? I'm trying to determine which one is right for the CPU temp.

Note: I typed somethign wrong in my last post. You cannot mount the Thermaltake Smart Fan II on the Glacialtech, since the Glacialtech uses 60mm fans :p
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Rictor on July 16, 2003, 07:29:06 pm
Ok guys, I'm going to buy a new heatsink. I believe its called a Volcano 2 or something along those lines. I just hopes that this helps out, cause I really dont wanna waste money if it wont help cool down the computer
Title: Computer cooling problem
Post by: Grey Wolf on July 16, 2003, 07:38:34 pm
VOLCANO 2!??! At least go for the Volcano 7+.....