Hi,

I have 2 extra very fast fans (I dont know exact RPM though) which I can put anywhere inside my cabinet. The problem is that I cant figure out where to put them exactly so that it will cool my processor properly.
Here is my config and temp on which it currently remains when idle (I opened my cabinet to keep it cool and clean it regularly)-

Intel core 2 duo E6600 (2.4GHz, 4MB L2 cache, 1066FSB)- 45-47C (already contains a heat sink and fan)

Nvidia Geforce 8800GTS 640MB graphics card- 63C at 50% fan speed of its own fan and 54C if 100% fan speed.

Other than its own fan, this graphics card has a big aluminum heat sink too, so I am not worried about its temp.

2GB 667MHz RAM.

320GB 7200RPM HDD + 250GB 7200RPM HDD- both 40C

Sound blaster 5.1 Live sound card (this is not so hot)

500Watt PSU- contains a fan.

intel 946GZ Mobo.

so there are 3 fans working and one heat sink. Now I have two extra fans and my whole box is open so I can put them anywhere.

Note:- The mobo is vertical on cabinet wall (as usual) and GPU is perpendicularly attached to it (as usual). The GPU is very big and fan is very lite so I can put it on GPU too. That makes fan exactly in front of mobo. Now I dont know whether to put fan in front of heat sink of mobo or directly in front of fan which is attached on processor, or anywhere else. Please tell me which position will cool processor more (or any other position in cabinet).

One fan I can put right below the fan of GPU so that it blows the hot air out, which comes out of Graphics card. Is it all right or I should try some other positions.

I have explained all positions of my hardwares. please help me to use those two fans efficiently.

One fan should be at the lower front of the case sucking air in.
One fan should be high at the rear of the case blowing air out.

You haven't posted system (case) temperature. A well ventilated tower should yield case temps no more than about 10c higher than room air, preferably less. The CPU temps at idle should be no more than 10c more than system temps, preferably less. You can't cool any components to a lower temp than the temps inside the case. Adding extra fans in a hot case will just blow hot air around.

Whole of my cabinet is open. So I dont think the setup you suggested will help much. Actually I want the fan fully concentrated on colling processor. But I cant figure out where to put it to do that.
Still, thanks for replying.

How can I know the case temp?
Although I guess it remains cool too cause it is all open.

There should be a space directly underneath the power supply the has a series of holes in it in the shape of a circle. I usually put a fan there (you can secure it with screws or zip ties) in order to expedite the air from the CPU and graphics card. It usually helps cool the system down a bit. The other fan you may want to put at the front/bottom of the computer to pull air into the system which would help air flow. If you do this make sure to use a filter for the intake spce in front of the PC. You can use a small piece of mesh or as silly as it sounds a piece of panty hose. Hope this helps.

OK. I can put a fan directly below the PSU. But dont you think that all the hot air will then fall on GPU, which is directly below it?

Ok. If the whole case is open, no ammount of fans will help. A computer case is meant to isolate the air from the outside and move it across the Mobo. My suggestion would be to close the case and install the fans. Is there any reason you have the case open?

I opened the case cause I was finding it rather hot (graphics card was 78-80C when used for long). After opening it, it always remains cool.

So do u think that if I out fans like you suggested, and close the case, it will decrease the temp when compared to what it is when open?

Your system temp sohould be displayed on the same screen in the BIOS as the CPU temp. As was stated above your case was designed to be closed. There are other components beside your GPU that need to be cooled. RAM, MB chipset, etc.
Is the temperature range you posted for your CPU at idle or under load?

This tempreature is at idle. At load it goes to 55-57C (after playing dual core supporting games for about one or two hours).

prankster gives vgood advice.

there is no extra cooling in my case, but IF i did ......

3 extra fans >>>

1. outlet at the back 'neath the PSU
2. inlet at the bottom front
3. outlet at the top >>>> cut a hole in the top of the case directly above the CPU
4. close the box up.

too many fans tho improperly placed, can cause "wind chaos"

:)

Rob, Central Coast
NSW Australia

If you have a decent case, all you really need is one 120mm exhaust fan in the rear, plus the PSU. The PSU fan(s) also acts as an exhaust fan for the case.

When the case is closed, these fans create a negative pressure which causes fresh air to be drawn in...usually thru the lower/front of the case. Although many people install a front intake fan, it shouldn't be necessary. Just make sure the front of the case is well ventilated so that the outside air can be "sucked" in.

A duct (w/o fan) can be mounted in the side panel just above the CPU. This will provide a fresh air source for the CPU cooling fan & the CPU temp *should* end up being several degrees cooler than a non-ducted setup.

FLATURIN - Hand-to-mouth goodness. It's good!