Too hot? Larger PSU needed??

Rainmaker

Rainmaker

Rainmaker

Soldato
Joined
18 Aug 2007
Posts
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Location
Liverpool
Hi guys,

I don't overclock but on balance this seemed like the best forum to post in. I bought, just over two years ago, a Compaq Presario SR1719UK.

I replaced the stock AMD Athlon 3200 single core, with an Athlon 64 X2 4200 dual core. Then I added in an Nvidia GeForce 7300GT, an extra 2.5GB of PC3200 DDR RAM, and a second 500GB hard drive (SATA).

My specs are now:

MSI MS-7184 (AmethystM-GL6E) mobo
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200 dual core CPU with AMD 64 OEM cooler
3GB PC3200 DDR-RAM
500GB Seagate Barracuda 7,200rpm 32MB cache HDD (SATA)
200GB Seagate Barracuda 7,200rpm 8MB cache HDD (SATA)
Nvidia GeForce 7300GT (Gigabyte, passively cooled)

The problem is, since I bought some shiny bits from OCUK (great service btw :D), and added these all in, my PSU fan is on all the time and my temps seem high according to my newly-downloaded Speedfan.

I'm new at all this, but I'm pretty sure I need a bigger/better PSU... the OEM (Compaq supplied) one is only 300 watts :eek: Here's a screenshot from Speedfan:

speedfan.jpg
speedfan.jpeg
speedfan.JPG


Any suggestions? I'm thinking 500W PSU *ASAP*, and maybe an Arctic Cooler Pro heatsink/fan ASAP too? I'm hoping to rip out the old 200GB hdd (the original drive) and replace it with another 500GB for RAID, soon as I can afford it. I also want to add a GeForce 9600GT, so I guess things need upgrading all round!!

I did consider selling this s939 mobo, CPU and RAM and just upgrading those, but cost wise it's a lot of money to me, and I'm happy with how the rig performs for what I need just now... which is basically downloading, encoding the odd AVI, music, serving web pages and browsing/email etc.

All suggestions gratefully received.
Cheers,

Lee
 
I would have thought it'd be lack of airflow more then anything to be honest. HAve you got any pics of the case? Does it have front intake and exhaust fans?

Edit: Sorry read your current PSU as 500watts not 300watts. 300watts is a bit low, but also consider the airflow.
 
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Thanks guys. I have to drop the kids off at their Dad's in a mo (heaven forbid he comes for them himself! But I digress :p)... When I get back I'll put some pics up.

It's the standard Compaq case - just a PSU fan and another fan on the back , and the CPU heatsink fan pulling air in from the side of the case. That's it. No other holes for adding other fans into the case (maybe time for a new case if nothing else). Sorry for the terminology BTW, I'm only just learning about hardware - I can compile a Linux kernel, but know the difference between case fans?! Not on your nelly LOL

For 15 years I haven't cared about hardware so long as it turned on and worked reasonably. I was more concerned about learning software and hacking (that's working on Linux code, NOT "hacking hacking"!).

Now, thanks to OCUK, I'm a bloomin' addict... checking the weekly offers, planning upgrades, speccing my new home build rig... NOTHING is big or fast enough, period... LOL Damn you guys for pulling me in... :mad: hehe :D
 
OK just before I go, I just took the side off. The PSU calculator says:

Actual watts drawn from wall socket (including monitor) 200W
Actual VA draw: 278VA

Recommended PSU ratings:
Generic PSU: 557 watts
Decent brand PSU: 229 watts

The PSU I have is Hipro. Discuss :D
 
It depends on how much you value your data really.

The PSU is the component that could potentially kill all of your hardware if a fault were to develope.

I, personally, wouldn't trust that PSU. I've had friends with psu's blow up and take out everything.

I would also seriously consider a new case as if it's all running a little toasty in there, then that would be a good move. Be careful though, I know some of the branded stuff (ie compaq, dell etc) won't fit in standard ATX cases.
 
The side of the actual psu has some readings on it usually, that will give an indication of its quality.

I dont know the brand, you might as well upgrade just for the overvolt protection a better psu will provide
 
Here's the pics, no real room to speak of to add extra fans :( That said the case side has vents but no fans fitted - maybe I could "modify" (read: drill into) it and add some fans on the vents?

front.jpg
rear.jpg

case-side.jpg

case-side-open.jpg


And the PSU markings, silversurfer, I wouldn't understand them. Here they are mate:

psu.jpg
 
If it was me, that case would be gone. I'd get something with better airflow in it. Putting a fan on the side may help, but I can't see it making areal big difference.

The motherboard is Micro ATX and looks like it'll fit any micro atx case, or bigger.

HAve you got a budget for a psu/case combo?
 
To be honest, the angel on one shoulder says "Nothing spare, spend as little as possible".

But the devil on the other shoulder says "Meh, you have a large overdraft and you KNOW you want to..." :p I was thinking if I'm gonna shell out for a case am I not as well just going all the way and buying a barebones system (i.e. selling my current s939 mobo/CPU) and having a more modern system and have done with it.

Or alternatively buy a new barebones, buy a CPU and some decent RAM, add in the gfx and other add-ons in my current rig and make a new shiny powerhouse desktop, and keep the old case with just the mobo/cpu/ram and a HDD and turn it into a headless server. It's acting as an ftp, web and mail server atm anyway so for the sake of the extra cash (barebones and two resulting rigs instead of just a case and keep one rig) I may be better off overall?

Any suggestions? :)
 
Just get an Akasa Zen for £35 and it will be good.

I also recommend a new PSU, doesn't look too trustworthy, perhaps a Corsair 450w?
 
That fan on that chip... is that the stock one.... it's gotta go!!!

Get a new case or if you bent on keeping this one some exhaust can help. They screw into the PCI slot and suck air out.
 
Thanks SO much for the replies folks :) Yes that's a stock AMD64 fan (which HP fitted after I complained the original was loud and the unit was still in warranty). I did get warned I may need a better cooler when I upgraded to dual core. I guess looking at the temps on the Speedfan app (I mean, 70+ degrees on a core! ouch!) I could benefit from say an Arctic Cooler Freezer Pro jobby - I bought one for the kid's desktop (Pentium Celeron 3.2Ghz) and it runs around 20 to 25 degrees now :D

So maybe add an exaust fan or two, nice new PSU, and a decent heatsink... that'd be about the same price as a new case, so overall the cheapest/best option til I pay to build a new rig and retire this (stripped of parts) as a dedicated server.

I'll get shopping on OC now and see what's there.
Cheers.
 
Monkeynut said:
I also recommend a new PSU, doesn't look too trustworthy, perhaps a Corsair 450w?
Click to expand...

Agreed i would replace it, but ive had those things powering compaq workstations that have gone on for years, even with upgrade parts - they aint that bad. Just look generic.
 
I can't see the temperatures improving greatly without any fan intakes. The air's got to come from somewhere. Vents work to a certain extent, but in my opinion, a new case would be a good move.
 
Holy thread resurrection, Batman :D I finally managed to get this sorted. The first time I've built a rig too, so I'm double chuffed ;)

Added a 120mm front intake fan, right in front of the hdd, a monster Arctic Freezer Pro 64 CPU heatsink/fan, two rear 80mm exhaust fans and an Akasa 500w. Runs next to silent (would be silent but for being one 3-pin short on the mobo, one rear fan is molex-connected = full speed all the time). Still nearly silent though, I'm really pleased.

The best bit? CPU average idle has gone down from 55 to 60 degrees, to a paltry 28 degrees on average!! :) Don't you just love a happy ending? Took me four hours to remove the bits from the old case and reassemble/hack/mod into the new case (don't laugh) but it's a great sense of achievement and I'd like to say thanks to Dave at my local PC shop for his help with the PSU connectors (so many damn wires lol).

new-case-front.jpg

new-case-inside.jpg
 
I thought it looked weird lol Dave's taking the blame for that one, he fitted it while I was putting the fans in :D I'll get it swapped tomorrow. Any danger in the meantime? Thanks for the heads up mate.
 
Its going in the reverse airflow to your rear fans which is not usually a good thing for case temps but seems to have worked for you anyway!

Molex mod the rear fan to 7volts
 
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