Help with overheating system

Thorazine · Post by **Thorazine** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 12:15 pm

Hey gang,

I normally post to the Security forum, this is the first time I've taken a look at the HW section. However, I have a problem that I'm hoping some of you can help me with.

Here's my situtation: I have an Asus A7V8X board w/2100+ (Stock heatsink and fan) and a single stick of 512MB RAM (DDR440). I also have a LSI MegaRAID Elite 1600 card with 3 drives attached to it in a RAID 5 configuration. A DVD-ROM and a HP DVD writer all in a full tower Antec case. The case is fitted with 4 80mm fans (two in the back, one in the front of the HDs and one on the side door).

Using SpeedFan 4.13 to get a CPU and VRM temp readings they clock in at 56C and 81C respectively. This is with the CPU idleing. If I run Prime95 the CPU temp jumps to about 64C or so and Prime95 craps out. The VRM temp jumps to 85C or so. This is with the case side off and a house fan blowing on the machine. If the case side is on the temps run about +3 degrees higher.

I realize this is high however I'm at a lost as to how to go about and fix it. Any ideas how I can cool this box down further without using some form or liquid cooling? I'm really not interested in investing hundreds of dollars into this computer. I'm kinda looking for a cheap out, like a good heatsink and fan combo or something along those lines. Any ideas for me would be greatly appreciated.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 12:41 pm

Do you know the CFM rating of the 4 80mm fans, maybe you could find some that are better and not too loud still.

Thermalright I think makes a copper heatsink that fits a 92mm fan on it, that should be good for the CPU if you need to go that route.

With the VRM at 81, what temp is the mobo itself at?

Cypher · Post by **Cypher** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 12:55 pm

It would be a good idea to have a fan mounted at the top to remove heat from inside the case . If you could fit a 120 that would be great because they move allot of air and are fairly quite. It's very easy to cut the hole in and I wish it would be more of a standard. The HS YoS mentioned is also advisable.

Thorazine · Post by **Thorazine** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 7:05 pm

I think I got it under control. The machine was suffering from two problems. One, on closer inspection, inbetween the heatsink and fan was a coating of dust that had collected. I used and air can and dropped the CPU temp by 5C. Second problem was the thermal paste used by the stock heatsink and fan. I scrapped the old paste, reapplied and the temp dropped by like ~15C.

I've been running Prime95 for the last 4 hours and can't get the cpu to heat up passed 40C.

Thanks guys for your help.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 7:10 pm

Ya dust is a temp killer.