How can I get the best airflow out of my crappy case? - Hardware & Software

In short, here is what my problem is: I just upgraded a few bits of my computer, particularly the PSU (Got myself a shiny new Corsair 700W) and GPU (GTX 580, well worth the money). Everything is functioning well, but things are starting to get a little toasty in my case (everything idles between 40 and 55 C, but while playing more graphically intensive games such as Crisis, Black Ops, or Bad Company I experience temperatures peaking at 90C in my GPU, and temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees in some other components else. While I've done my research, and these would appear to be manageable temperatures, I've found that these are at the higher end of the spectrum, and would like to try and lower them a bit. I'm nearly positive that my rather cramped case is the problem, and would like to know how I can improve its airflow. I'm not sure of its name, but my case is the generic "HP" one that ships with most of HP desktops. [IMG]http://www.connectionpros.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/HP-Pavilion-Elite-HPE-480t-Core-i7-Desktop.jpg[/IMG] Specs, if you guys should need them for whatever reason (taken right after start-up, so everything is nice and cool): [URL="http://img813.imageshack.us/i/speccy.png/"][IMG]http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/1944/speccy.png[/IMG][/URL] If you guys want/need any more information, I'd be happy to oblige. Thanks for any help.

It's probably just too cramped, and the only solution would be to get a better case. [editline]wefe[/editline] just out of curiosity, can you post a picture of the inside of your case, because I want to know how you even managed to fit a GTX 580 into one of those HP cases.

[QUOTE=Jaehead;26576203]It's probably just too cramped, and the only solution would be to get a better case. [editline]wefe[/editline] just out of curiosity, can you post a picture of the inside of your case, because I want to know how you even managed to fit a GTX 580 into one of those HP cases.[/QUOTE] Right now I'm really short on money, so I'd like to try and find a way to cool things down without buying a new one. However, I will take suggestions. I've got a really low budget though, preferably $60 or less.

Pop off all the panels as such (except with top also)(Super ghetto) [img]http://www.deviantart.com/download/138346683/the_ghetto_computer_by_Batnntheanml.jpg[/img] add more fans if possible?

[QUOTE=Nsybouts;26576421]Pop off all the panels as such (except with top also)(Super ghetto) [img_thumb]http://www.deviantart.com/download/138346683/the_ghetto_computer_by_Batnntheanml.jpg[/img_thumb] add more fans if possible?[/QUOTE] I'm afraid I don't have room for more fans, although I may get a larger one. I'm considering doing some research on modding, then drilling some holes and adding some fine screens. But I'm going to do more research before I start cutting. Pics coming soon.

if your budget is $60 then HAF 912 is perfect

Here are some pictures. (they are large) [URL=http://img194.imageshack.us/i/1208102126.jpg/][IMG]http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/2774/1208102126.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://img64.imageshack.us/i/1208102130.jpg/][IMG]http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/3199/1208102130.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://img809.imageshack.us/i/1208102130a.jpg/][IMG]http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/8274/1208102130a.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL] As you can see, things are getting pretty cramped. I'm planning on using a plastic bubble from home depot to both extend my case and give me a good view of its guts, but I'll look into the HAF 912. Thanks for the help. [editline]8th December 2010[/editline] If you look real closely you can see the 580 behind all the excess cables. It's a freaking brick :buddy: [editline]8th December 2010[/editline] I'm planning on buying one of those "plastic half bubble" sheet things at home depot (the type used to cover small skylights in bathrooms), and adding it to the side of my case. Should give me a bit more room, and if I drill the holes in the right places I should get better airflow too. Not only that, but I'll have a computer with a plastic bubble window, how cool is that??

I know you don't have much room to work with, but cleaning up those cables can help the airflow a little bit. Best case scenario, buy a new case. Otherwise just beat the shit out of this one with a hacksaw for more airflow.

Jesus that's a lot of cables. Try cleaning up those, if you can, and if you have any IDE cables/devices you aren't using, remove them. Large flat ribbon cables disrupt airflow a LOT.

[QUOTE=MacTrekkie;26580488]Jesus that's a lot of cables. Try cleaning up those, if you can, and if you have any IDE cables/devices you aren't using, remove them. Large flat ribbon cables disrupt airflow a LOT.[/QUOTE] I'm afraid that is as clean as it's going to get. I'm probably going to go at it with a hacksaw and some screening.

it's because your PSU is upside down, obviously. But really, you should have got a modular PSU, if that isn't one - if it is, optimize the connections and use less cables. Make sure the fans you do have aren't all pushing air in, or pushing air out, I think you want about half and half (I don't really know) if you don't it'll make a vacuum or just pressurized stagnant air. Maybe clean and reapply thermal grease to your CPU?

Haf 922.

[QUOTE=Shadaez;26591335][I][B]it's because your PSU is upside down, obviously.[/B][/I][/QUOTE] You think I would have noticed that... thanks :smile: And I may be able to remove some cables, I'll give that a shot too. Thanks for the advice everybody.

90C for GPU is fine. Mine goes up to 110c. I've had this card for 3 years, everything is fine.

[QUOTE='[LOA] SonofBrim;26593209']You think I would have noticed that... thanks :smile: And I may be able to remove some cables, I'll give that a shot too. Thanks for the advice everybody.[/QUOTE] I was joking. I don't think that would actually matter, unless there's a fan on the bottom or top.

The GTX 580 is rated to 97 Celsius by the way.

[QUOTE=GunskiMod;26595679]90C for GPU is fine. Mine goes up to 110c. I've had this card for 3 years, everything is fine.[/QUOTE] Mine idles at 45 degrees, there is something wrong with your card.

[QUOTE=poopsicle;26598597]Mine idles at 45 degrees, there is something wrong with your card.[/QUOTE] Agreed. The only time I would consider 90 normal is under heavy load in an Apple laptop. On a desktop there is no excuse. I completely ignored cable management in mine and the GPU idles at 20 C.

Strip that bitch down, pull off all the panels (front, top both sides) Tape some fans to it and wire them to the molexes if you don't have enough headers. (red to yellow, black to red = medium speed) [editline]10th December 2010[/editline] Those cases are fucking ovens, take these with you. [img]http://www.artbox.co.uk/images/home/07265-6a.jpg[/img] Or just... buy a new case.

[QUOTE=poopsicle;26598597]Mine idles at 45 degrees, there is something wrong with your card.[/QUOTE] No. Not true. A 4870x2 or a 9800GX2 would run that high.

Thread hijack, this got my interest, my 480 idles at 70-75C, you mean this isn't normal?

It's definitiely not normal for it to [b]idle[/b] that high, though post load temps.

On full load it gets about 80-85c. And it's not really cramped, with 4 fans in the case.

Well, it shouldn't really matter, but it's a bit strange how the idle temp is that high.

[QUOTE=Giraffen93;26602632]On full load it gets about 80-85c. And it's not really cramped, with 4 fans in the case.[/QUOTE] Are you running dual monitors? If I recall there was a bug that caused dual monitors to jack up the idle clocks.

[QUOTE=Badal;26603144]Are you running dual monitors? If I recall there was a bug that caused dual monitors to jack up the idle clocks.[/QUOTE] Haha yeah, must be it.

Alright, while this thread is heading in the direction of what temperatures are safe, I'll ask about mine: My GPU (GTX 580) Idles at around 55C, and the load temp when running a hefty game (such as black ops, crisis, or bad company) is around 88C, although I've seen it reach around 91C. I've cleaned up the cables a bit, but as you can see I've still got a cramped case. Are these temperatures OK, or should I be worried? They're only about 5C above normal (based on what I've read on google), but I'm trying to keep my new card as happy as possible. I also would like to know, as was the point of this whole thread, how I can get more room and better airflow. I need a new place to stuff wires, and more air intake, but I want to know how to do this [I]intelligently[/I].If there's something simple I can do to the side of my case, such as sawing a chunk out and replacing it with screening, or something like that, please let me know. I really don't have the money or time for a new case. Also, I have a crap-load of extra power cables and, for that matter, extra power. Is there any way I can add another fan even if it's not compatible with my case, and would it even be of any benefit to me?

Get a new case/mobo: Best options are Mobo *for price*: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157163&cm_re=x58-_-13-157-163-_-Product[/url] this case: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811815008&cm_re=xigmatek_case-_-11-815-008-_-Product[/url]

[QUOTE=anikilol;26616091]Get a new case/mobo: Best options are Mobo *for price*: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157163&cm_re=x58-_-13-157-163-_-Product[/url] this case: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811815008&cm_re=xigmatek_case-_-11-815-008-_-Product[/url][/QUOTE] Oh yeah, can't believe I forgot about that Pegatron motherboard. From the brief research I've done on them, they are bottom of the barrel pieces of cardboard. If you are going to swap the whole thing into a new case a new motherboard would be much easier at the same time.

Get a hack saw and cut case panels off. Would probably look really nice too if you added some LED fans and blue cathodes