I run an AMD XP 2000 and an Elsa Geforce 3. When running games the PC gets extremely hot and sometimes causes the games to shut down. All I currently have in there is the stock fan that came with the processor and of course the fan in the power supply. I am going to be getting new rounded cables for all my wiring and a few other components I will describe below. A Super Duper Slot Fan which will go one slot below my video card with an empty slot in between. This fan blows hot air out of the case, specifically any heat that the video card puts out. Ref: http://makeashorterlink.com/?T23C16D55 And a Twin Turbo bay fan which will go at the very top of my case under my CD Rom. My hard drives are located at the bottom of my case. This also will suck hot air out of my case. (80CFM, 2x92mm 2100RPM fans ) Ref: http://makeashorterlink.com/?V24C56D55 I was also debating getting an 80MM fan to throw in the back. The question is though, should I have it blowing air in or out? Is this overkill? Should I skip getting it? The back fan is exactly level with where my processor sits but on the opposite side of the case btw. Suggestions?

Every fan i add to my case seems to take my temp down 1c around. but placing fans in your case can be more tricky than you think. i've played around with different configurations and found if you don't put the fans in the right spots you can actually make the temp go higher. you need to have the intake/exhaust fans in just the right spot or it can cause a vacuum, which will make like a little micro climate that will keep the heat in the case instead of expelling it. what i did was i just kept my pc in the bios health part where it tells you the temp and i played around with the fan configs until i found the one that got the temps down the most. i also made sure that the ambient temps were stable.

The best single thing you can do is cut a hole in the side of your case and put an 80mm intake fan there which blows toward the cpu.

Thank you both for replies. My next question then is, how hard is it to cut a hole in your case to put the fan in there? Are there any good guides out there explaining tools etc? Should the fan blow directly onto the CPU? Or perhaps a bit off to the side.

There are a few ways to create an 80mm fanhole cutout. First, the best and easiest method is using what's called a holesaw. You can pick it up at any local Hardware store. The prices may be high, (10 to 20 dollars) for just a holesaw, but believe me, it's definitely worth it to have one around. Next you'll need a drill bit for the screw holes, I believe a 1/4 is the size. To cut out a hole with a holesaw, first tape the entire area with masking tape (so that pieces of steel/aluminum that are sawed off doesn't scratch the paintjob) and then draw out your plan (the 80mm circle and the holes). You can draw the circle by tracing the holesaw, and then position your fan on top of that drawn circle and plot out the fan screw holes. Once everthing is set, attach your holesaw to an automatic drill, and carefully being to saw out the circle. Apply a good amount of pressure so that the holesaw won't budge. After that, take yur drill bit and drill out the four screw holes. Next, sand the circle down to avoid cuts and se if you can do the same with the screwholes. To add a bit of flare, you can buy some rubber trim and edge the circle to give off a VERY professional look. You can look for screwhole grommets for the screwholes as well. The grommets will also raise the fan grill, which looks absolutely great. The other methods involve cutting out the hole with a Dremel or a Jigsaw, but for a perfect circle, I'd definitely recommend a holesaw. If you don't feel like investing, ask around. I borrow my holesaws from a friend. If you need some guides or any other information about cutting a hole into your case or ANY other form of case modification, feel free to email me at any time: carlosvaldes01@msn.com Good luck!

Oh also, I forgot to mention. If you position a fan at the rear of your case next to the CPU, I recommend making it an exhaust. This will port the hot air coming from your CPU directly out no questions. This would follow the conventional computer cooling method of a fan or multiple fans positione at the front of the case intaking air. By the time this air reaches the end of the case, it has traveled through the Hard Drives, Motherboard, RAM, CPU, and basically any card you have in your system. This is the majority of your hardware. It would be wise to get rid of that air ASAP, and the best way is through the rear fan, which exists for that reason. Making it an intake fan may recirculate this hot air, and that's not really what you want. Making it an intake may also bring in the hot air the PSU is exhaustig back into the system. I have included an example of the conventional cooling method below: http://www.icesystems.ca/pics/caseflow.jpg Once again, the same applies. If you need any guides, email me or post a request, I have plenty, but I'll need to rat them out.

Thanks! That doesnt sound all that hard at all. Looks like I have a project to do this weekend =)