Opinions Needed: CPU Air Cooling Units

[PCRepairGuy]

Hello Everyone,

It's been about 3 years since I did some serious research into quality air cooling units.
I know that there has been so much change that I need to get opinions from recent users.

Recently I discovered my original installment of fans is not sufficient to keep the computer cooled.
I also discovered that my CPU has been overheating and resulting in shutdowns.

I have a limited budget so I need options that will let me cool my CPU and/or get more air out of the case at the same time.

My Computer Specs:
Generic Network Case  ( I don't remember the make/model and it's that generic )
PSU = 450W
4 - 5.25 bays ( Currently used by two CD drives & two HD's with attached fan cooling units )
2 - 3.25 bays ( Currently only one in use by Floppy Drive )
5 - slots for additional HD's ( Currently all used )

Fan System:
Inward Airflow:
2 - HD fan cooling units in the upper 5.25 bays
1 - 120mm ( blows directly on 3 HD's )
Outward Airflow:
2 - 120mm ( blows directly out the backside )
1 - PCI slot fan ( directly under the Video Card & Sound Card, but, directly above the Ethernet Card)
1 - PSU fan ( Yes, I know this creates heat as well )
1 - CPU heatsink & fan

Note: All my IDE cables are airflow dynamic & all my power cables are neatly bundled together to one side.

I would appreciate hearing any recommendations on what you use or what you have used and how you think it might help me here.
Thanks for your time & help in this matter!!

[Raptor]

You forgot to mention the most important factors:

Mainboard, videocard and processor.

[PCRepairGuy]

My apologies as I didn't consider it to be relevant to give my MB, CPU, & Video Card specs.

MB = Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe (Rev = 2.xx)
CPU = AMD Athlon XP, 1800 MHz (13.5 x 133) 2200+
Video = NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4200 with AGP8X (128 MB)
Sound = Creative SB0090 Audigy Platinum Sound Card


I recently was made aware of the freeware program called Speedfan v4.3
I installed that and it sure is easier to work with than MBM5.  That is a true tweakers program.

SpeedFan specs are showing this:
Temp1 = 46C = Asus ASB100 Sensor = CPU
Temp2 = 25C = Asus ASB100 Sensor =
Temp3 = -1C = Asus ASB100 Sensor =
Temp4 = 25C = Asus ASB100 Sensor =
Temp5 = 125C = LM75 @ $48 =
Temp6 = 24C = LM75 @ $49 =
Fan 1 = 9120 RPM
Fan 2 = 0 RPM
Fan 3 = 8130 RPM

Currently I'm trying to figure out what LM Sensors are & I'm trying to discern if something else besides my CPU is overheating which is causing the sudden shutdowns.

Note: If I play a game like HALO or do anything that seems to make the PC work harder then I see the shutdowns occur.

[2k_dummy]

Try temporarily disabling the PCI slot fan and see if the temps improve. It might be that it is drawing so much air that it is having a negative effect. If it is drawing the cool air from the intake fan directly out the back, there might not be enough air reaching the CPU and PSU to properly cool them. If the slot fan has reversable air flow, you might reposition it above the video card so that it moves air upward toward the CPU and PSU.

[Raptor]

Clean your AMD Athlon CPU, apply Arctic Silver and buy a good, new cooler that still has a clean heatsink.

Is your PC dust free?

[PCRepairGuy]

Thank You 2k_dummy & Raptor,

That was a good suggestion.  I checked my PCI fan for reversibility but it would have required rewiring it.  I did take it out though and installed another 80mm fan on the frontside for more intake.

Also Raptor I do clean out my PC about every 2 months with compressed air but looking my system over more closely I noticed some build up that was swiftly removed.  I like a clean system.

I went ahead and pulled everything leaving only 1 CD drive, 1 HDD, & 1 Video Card.  I really liked the more open space in my system but still had the same problem.

I went ahead and installed a different Video Card & viola!!  No more shutdowns.. <sigh>
My GeForce Ti4200 had a Thermaltake G4-VGA Copper heatsink/fan on it.  The fan started making a noise so I replaced it with a Nvidia Aluminum Geforce heatsink/fan and I didn't have anymore problems until recently with these shutdowns.. <sigh>

I went and bought a Zalman ZM80C-HP w/optional 80MM fan.
I took off the aluminum heatsink and installed this monster Zalman heatsink/fan combination on the GeForce card.
The good news is no more shutdowns!!!
The bad news is that when I play a graphic intensive game like HALO my system still shuts down.
[highlight]Would any of you agree that this probably means my GeForce card is damaged and not worth repairing??[/highlight]

Again, Thank You for your time & help regarding my situation.  It is much appreciated!!

[Raptor]

I would definitely buy a new videocard if you are sure yours is the problem.

[patio]

Keep it for an emergency spare...

[GX1_Man]

That seems like a LOT of fans for that system. The video card is suspect at best as you have already surmised.

What is the make of the PSU and how old is it?

[PCRepairGuy]

Thanks again Raptor,

I had already started trying to accept the reality of this situation but there was that wisp of a hope I might have a miracle.
LOL.. well at least I had a good run with the GeForce card.  I have a FX 5200 as well so I'll just use that for now.


Thank you Patio,

I totally agree!!  It hasn't died yet so I'm not about to toss this baby in the trash


Thanks GX1_Man,

Well believe me.. For my next major PC building, I'm seriously considering if I can build a water-cooled system the way I want it.
I just found out about modular PSU's.  Man, I've been out of the building loop for too long.  Once I have the money, I want to buy this 500W modular PSU for like $180 at the store I go to alot.

My current PSU is an Antec DR-B450E which is a 450W & I believe is 3-4 yrs old.  This is the age of my computer system.  I bought all my parts roughly around 2002-2003.  I wish there was a way I could test it's output.

[Raptor]

You could use a multi meter or stress test it using software such as Prime95 or Winstress..