3 new fans, can I do better?

eyemessiah · 18 May 2006 at 12:35

I am replacing a front 120, a rear 120, and a side 80.

Here is what I am thinking;

2 x Akasa AK-183-L2B Ultra Quiet 120mm: 1400rpm @ 18dba @ 44.8 cfm

1x YS-TECH FD128025LB SILENT 80mm: 2000rpm @ 23.5dba @ 30cfm

My computer is loud under load (when fans are at full tilt) and running pretty hot too. Currently there is no front intake, the rear 120 is very very quiet, but not pushing much air, and the side 80mm which I am using as an intake was salvaged off a cpu cooler (its an old akasa I think) and it makes a lot of noise sucking air through the grill when its a full tilt. My gf6800 regularly goes above 80degrees, my cpu idles at 44 and peaks around about 60 under load and system temps are pretty toasty. Incredibly its all pretty stable, but its been bsod'ing a bit recently so I thougth I'd fix the airflow and sort out the temps and hopefully the under-load fan noise too. So I am hoping for something a bit cooler _and_ quieter.

What do you think? Can I do better?

Zefan · 18 May 2006 at 12:37

You say temperatures are high, but have you replaced component cooling yet? In my experience it's more ot do with the active cooling than case airflow. Sure it helps, but start by making sure the HSF's aren't causing the problems.

Consider the akasa amber 80mm too.

samcat · 18 May 2006 at 13:34

What happens to the temperatures if you leave the side of the case off?

If they drop a lot then case airflow is the issue.

If they dont change much then its the coolers on the components (cpu heatsink/gfx).

Are the heatsinks gakked up with dust? If so clean them.

Cheers,
Sam C

thefranklin · 18 May 2006 at 18:59

Also, what are you running? If its AMD, clean your stuff out, and check out samcat's advice and get a new cpu cooler.

If its a p4 prescott, you are doing fine, upgrading cooler will help but not necessarily needed.

eyemessiah · 28 May 2006 at 17:42

RE Above: Case temps are high, and do drop a bit when I take the side off.

VGA cooler is stock. (Its an xfx 6800)

CPU cooler is one of those monster arctic cooling jobs, and to its credit its doing a fine job of cooling my overclocked chip.

I'm considering getting one of these:

Artic Cooling Accelero X1 Cooler

for cooling my 6800 (as it is very hot and contributing quite a few degrees I reckon). I notice that its BTX compatible. Will it still be effective & fit nicely into my set-up, as its an ATX.

(I don't know a whole lot about BTX)

thanks