Advice on cooling..

NirK · 19 Oct 2014 at 18:34

I am going to get a PC upgrade (cheap as possible), I will probably get 4690k, 280x, Asus mobo, 8GB DDR3...

ATM I have a Gigabyte Poseidon case which has 1x120mm exhaust fan and the PSU is at the top of the case, it has 1x 120mm intake fan and also a mesh bit on the side of the case so that should be alright for intake, but... With a 280x and a 4690k in there do you think this could cause the PSU to overheat?

1x120mm fan for exhaust is not great and I guess the rest of the heat from the 280x and 4690k etc. will be going into the PSU, do the aftermarket 280x coolers still put most of the heat out the back of the case like the blower / stock type coolers? Or does all the heat go up into the case? I would prefer to avoid buying a new case, because I am on a budget, but I think that my case / PSU might get too hot with this hardware in my case.... Do you know if the PSU will be alright with all that? Its an Antec Earthwatts 650w. Thanks. :confused:

RJC · 19 Oct 2014 at 18:38

I don't see no real issues

NirK · 19 Oct 2014 at 18:51

Maybe I can get away with buying a better 120mm exhaust fan instead of a new case. Do PSU's overheat a lot? Or are they rated to run at high temp?

RJC · 19 Oct 2014 at 18:59

I have to admit, I have yet seen a PSU overheat, and the chances are slim as you be brining in fresh air and still have a separate extract.

A lot of cases designed used the PSU to assist in extracting the warmer air from the case.

Unless the case temps reach silly temps (60c +).

NirK · 19 Oct 2014 at 19:10

Thanks, I might get a variable speed 120mm fan and I think with the motherboard I am getting (asus z97 A) you can plug them into the motherboard and it will PWM the speed depending on temps, so it will be change RPM as the temps go up? They have to be 4 pin fans for PWM control from motherboard?

RJC · 19 Oct 2014 at 19:13

It should, as the temps change the fan will increase, you should be able to have different options in the BIOS so it either ramps the fan up to full speed or keep it quiet.

Edit: you can get 3 pin control, but 4 pin is PWM, you would need to increase and decrease the intake fan as well (and possible side fan)

Doomedspeed · 19 Oct 2014 at 19:15

NirK said:
Thanks, I might get a variable speed 120mm fan and I think with the motherboard I am getting (asus z97 A) you can plug them into the motherboard and it will PWM the speed depending on temps, so it will be change RPM as the temps go up?

You can set it to do that, yes, though its just going to create more noise.

The components are going to get hot, that's what happens when there in use. Withs 60's/70's on the CPU and 80's on the GPU, a faster exhaust will make very little impact (unless you set it to run super slow at idle)...

NirK · 19 Oct 2014 at 19:21

Doomedspeed said:
You can set it to do that, yes, though its just going to create more noise.

The components are going to get hot, that's what happens when there in use. Withs 60's/70's on the CPU and 80's on the GPU, a faster exhaust will make very little impact (unless you set it to run super slow at idle)...

I have a thermalright macho cooler and will get a good 280x so that should be alright, I am more worried about excessive heat from the CPU and GPU building up in the case and reducing life / killing the PSU or other components.

RJC · 19 Oct 2014 at 19:24

NirK said:
I have a thermalright macho cooler and will get a good 280x so that should be alright, I am more worried about excessive heat from the CPU and GPU building up in the case and reducing life / killing the PSU or other components.

As you have fresh air intake (possible 2) and extract also the GPU will extract small amount of air the chances of warm or even hot air damaging components will be minimal.

NirK · 20 Oct 2014 at 15:30

I found out what fans I have in my case...

Intake 1 x 120mm 1200rpm fan front + ~135x300mm mesh side window (no fan because will not fit with thermalright macho but 130x300mm mesh window)

Exhaust fans = 1 x Scythe kaze jyuni 1200RPM 120mm
Antec earthwatts 650w (at top of case 1 x 120mm fan)

** No hotlinked images **

http://www.pcstats.com/ArticleImages/200601/PoseidonSB.jpg

Is this enough for a 280x + 4690k or should I get a better fan or new case? (cannot really afford new case unless I need one)

Doomedspeed · 21 Oct 2014 at 03:49

I think that's fine, not the worlds best looking case though. Haha.

RJC · 21 Oct 2014 at 07:11

I don't think there will be a issue, all components monitor their own temps and will throttle if start to get hot.

Once you built the system monitor temps for a while and see how you get on, some case designs use the PSU fan to assist with air extraction.

NirK · 21 Oct 2014 at 17:19

Hmm to be honest I think I will just buy a Fractal case, because it will probably make components last longer (or less likely to die from heat) and will also be quieter and look nicer, need a new case with space for wires and more cooling etc!

My idle temps in this case are already 35-45 with a 5870 and stock clocked Q6700 so I do not think this case will get on very well with an OC 4690k and 280x!