Better system cooling...

riskyfrisky · 22 Apr 2014 at 15:37

Please bear with me here because this will be like an essay!

At the moment I'm struggling to dissipate heat from my rig. Spec is in my sig (CPU cooler is a Zalman CNPS9900A). The short of it is that I need to improve cooling throughout the system. The long story is I'm not sure whether to spend money now or upgrade the system before I do so.

GPU cooling is taken care of (though I may get 140mm fans to replace the 120mm ones I'm using now because the clips don't secure the fans well enough due to the SP120's shape).

I've got one intake (front) and one exhaust (rear) at the moment, so I'm thinking I need two of each and possibly a new CPU cooler. However, firstly I'm fairly sure I'm pushing my luck using a 520W power supply, even though it is a Seasonic; it's 7 years old and I'd like something more powerful for peace of mind, especially if I'm adding more fans etc. I use a BitFenix Recon controller, which is one more thing for the PSU to deal with.

The other thing is I'm not sure it's worth spending money on a new PSU and CPU cooler when I'm in need of a CPU upgrade?! I could get either an air, or all-in-one water cooler, that I could then transfer when I upgrade but I think it would be a smoother transition to get everything at once so it's done with.

I need some guidance here please chaps. Do I upgrade my system with a faster CPU that runs cooler and see how it goes, or get better cooling now and potentially waste some of it if I don't need such cooling when I upgrade?

Ch3m1c4L · 22 Apr 2014 at 19:35

psu can obviously transfer to an upgraded system, as can case fans. So get them. The noctua D range are awesome coolers and will send you a new bracket if a new socket comes out. Ive no experience with Air anymore so other than what I have read today on this forum, I cant help you out with cpu coolers.

Uncle Petey · 22 Apr 2014 at 19:41

Are you happy with current performance? If so, spend money on cooling.
If not, perhaps look into a used 2500K/Z77 mobo or something along those lines.

riskyfrisky · 22 Apr 2014 at 20:52

Ch3m1c4L said:
psu can obviously transfer to an upgraded system, as can case fans. So get them. The noctua D range are awesome coolers and will send you a new bracket if a new socket comes out. Ive no experience with Air anymore so other than what I have read today on this forum, I cant help you out with cpu coolers.

Yes I'll be getting the new PSU pretty soon regardless and the old Corsair will end up in a low power HTPC.

riskyfrisky · 22 Apr 2014 at 21:01

Uncle Petey said:
Are you happy with current performance? If so, spend money on cooling.
If not, perhaps look into a used 2500K/Z77 mobo or something along those lines.

Performance has greatly improved since I got the GTX 770, however, I would like to get minimum frame higher.

I think I need to put a bit more thought into it but I definitely want a new PSU asap. The biggest issue is whether to go for an all-in-one cooler or a normal air cooler for the CPU? Ideally I'd go for an air cooler that I could mount so that warm air gets sent upwards, rather than towards the rear.

Does anyone know whether something like the Zalman CNPS11X can be mounted in such a way? If so can it be done on all socket types?

I've looked at the manual for it and I don't see why it can't be oriented like that assuming there's nothing in the way of the cooler itself?

Ch3m1c4L · 24 Apr 2014 at 11:28

as long as it actually fits on the socket that way around, then the only reason for orienting in certain ways is so it fits with RAM, or works with your case/airflow layout

riskyfrisky · 25 Apr 2014 at 10:56

Yeah that's what I want; the cooler mounted so that it exhausts air towards the top exhaust fans of the P280. I'd remove the rear exhaust fan and add it to the front as an intake fan.

I looked at the pdf manual for that Zalman and the support bracket for the rear of the motherboard is like an X shape, so I can't see any danger in rotating it 90 degrees.

I'd like to know though if someone has already done this and whether the support plate gave them any issues. Anyone?

andy_taximan · 25 Apr 2014 at 11:12

sorrry

riskyfrisky · 25 Apr 2014 at 11:53

^ That's okay mate.

Ch3m1c4L · 25 Apr 2014 at 12:31

from a google image search for " Zalman CNPS11X " I can see it mounted both ways round on motherboards

riskyfrisky · 25 Apr 2014 at 12:43

Ch3m1c4L said:
from a google image search for " Zalman CNPS11X " I can see it mounted both ways round on motherboards

Yeah I've seen it mounted both ways, but I wonder whether it's motherboard specific. And by that I mean the support plate being compatible rather than whether the cooler will obstruct anything on the board itself.

I guess the only way to find out is to get it rather than second guessing. It seems like the perfect solution to me though; because heat rises, have a cooler to help it on its way. I'm surprised that more people don't do it this way.

Ch3m1c4L · 27 Apr 2014 at 21:00

it wont be motherboard specific. It will be fine. It varies from case to case which is better, but most cases have airflow from lower front to high back.