2 weeks into new comp - still running warm

[CleverUserName]

Hey folks - I've built a new rig and have been trying to use it pretty extensively for the last two weeks (running games, apps, web browsers, and burn programs).

As it stands, my CPU is running in the low 40s when idle, mid to high 40s when running IE, and in the mid 60s when gaming (Ravenshield). In my post two weeks ago (see "New rig - any advice appreciated" under Buying/Upgrading), saph had said it would take around this amount of time for the thermal pad to settle and temps to normalize. While the temperture has gone down, it still seems like it's higher than normal when playing this game. I seem to have perfectly good airflow in my case, all my fans are working, and my PSU seems fine. Are there any other things I should be looking for or should i just try replacing my heatsink with a new one? Also, what are the risks I run if I continue to run this rig in the mid 60s? Should I stop using it now?

Here are my specs:
Pentium D 930 (Presler)
Gigabyte GA-8I945P-G ATX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128294)
Thermaltake W0093RU 500W Power Supply (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153028) Thermaltake SViking VA4000BWS (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811133142)

Thanks for any help!

[saphalline]

If it's still running that hot at this point and the BIOS is the latest version, then it's time to look into better CPU cooling. I don't know why your temp didn't go down significantly, but it should have. There are working Presler systems out there whose full-load temps are a good 10C lower than yours.

[CleverUserName]

Yeah, I'm not sure why it hasn't. I wonder if it's because of the way my PSU is seated in the case? Right now the PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.asp?image=17-153-028-02.jpg,17-153-028-03.jpg,17-153-028-04.jpg,17-153-028-05.jpg,17-153-028-06.jpg,17-153-028-07.jpg&CurImage=17-153-028-02.jpg&Description=Thermaltake%20W0093RU%20ATX%2012V%202. 0%20Version%20500W%20Power%20Supply%20-%20Retail) is in the top of the case (as with most), but the exhaust fan doesn't vent out the back, the fan blows down towards the mobo. The CPU and heatsink are situated pretty much directly below that. I'm thinking that could be the problem?

Here's the new heatsink (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835186134) I think I'll try.

[saphalline]

Wait, the PSU blows into the case? That shouldn't happen - the fan should be blowing out of the case. If it is indeed blowing into the case, you've got a faulty unit. Consider RMA'ing it.

[Whyzman]

Consider RMA'ing it.Yeah, that sounds nasty! Just how is this thing supposed to be oriented in the case. Thermaltake's website showed one picture with the fan positioned on the top...

Are you sure you have the fan positioned correctly in the case? Does it actually show in the installation directions that the fan is in the downward position as you alluded to with the air directed at the CPU?

[Whyzman]

I was just checking Thermaltake's site a bit further, and it looks like the unit you have is actually mounted vertically...is that only with Thermaltake's own cases? :confused:

[CleverUserName]

Sorry folks, didn't mean to confuse the issue. The picture view is upside down (photographed so you can see the fan). The way it works is the PSU is installed with the fan pointed underneath (towards the mobo) and there is what is essentially an open ended vent directed out of the case (on the side with the power plug and switch). This fan below draws air from directly around the mobo, through the PSU and out the vent and case. I guess this would be different then how other PSUs fans work because "normal" PSU fans just draw and vent the air directly through the PSU, correct?

At any rate, the PSU fan is not, as I was wondering earlier, blowing air towards the CPU. It is drawing the air from around it and blowing it out of the back of the case.

I guess I'll replace the heatsink to address the CPU temp problem - thanks for your help.

[Whyzman]

You might want to consider lapping as I mentioned in your earlier thread...

[CleverUserName]

Yes, thank you Whyzman. I was indeed going to lap the CPU per the earlier advice. Thanks for all the help - I'll let you all know how it goes.

[Whyzman]

Should be rather interesting with lapping and arctic silver...now that you've established some sort of baseline with the stock sink, fan, and thermal pad.

[saphalline]

Remember that the standard config for modern ATX PSU's is to have airflow go through the PSU out the back of the case. Usually this is done by having air enter the PSU from the bottom (just above the CPU) and exit out the back. A fan may go in the back, the bottom, or both. Pictures of PSU's on websites almost always show them upside down so that you can clearly see the bottom and back in one picture.

Vid cards (and most other expansion cards) are the same way. Always pictured upside down.

[Whyzman]

Always pictured upside down.Hehe...what's up with that? LOL I thought I read where someone was, or had, built a video card that "showed its wares." Most cards show all this really cool stuff, chrome fans, etc., and then you install them upside down so none of the cool stuff can be seen... :confused: :D

[saphalline]

Dust is the main reason for keeping everything upside down these days. Dust build-up on the top of a vid card or drive or PSU isn't such a big deal, as long as you clean your system out once in awhile. But that's why everything is upside down these days.

Yes, I remember that. It was a mirror system he put in his case. It reflected his pretty new vid card off the bottom so it could be clearly seen from underneath. If you have other expansion cards in the way, however, that would block the view. I guess there's no easy way to look at that stuff once it's installed...

[CleverUserName]

Well, got my new heatsink, lapped it, threw some arctic silver down, and now I'm running in the mid 20s when idle and high 30s/low 40s on full load. Thanks a ton for all of your help!

[saphalline]

Awesome!! Those are much better temps. I knew those Presler CPU's had to run cooler! I wonder why the stock unit let it get so hot?

I'll have to investigate that one...

[Whyzman]

"Cool!" Pun intended! :) How did the lapping procedure go?

[CleverUserName]

Lol, well i'm DEFINITELY sure it could have gone smoother. First I had to remove the HSF's base and pegs so I could actually sit the contact area flush on the sandpaper. That took like a half hour. I tried to follow the figure 8 method when lapping, but I couldn't do it smoothly enough. I felt like I was making it rougher that it originally was because the HS kept tripping on the paper. So I went back to lapping it left-to-right with 90 degree turns every 30 laps or so. I also think I put on a bit too much grease on the CPU. It call for about a half a BB, but I put on about a full BB's worth. Don't know if that's gonna screw it up or not. I'm sure I could do a better job if I had a second chance at it, but all in all I think it went pretty well!

[Whyzman]

After a couple of passes with the heavier duty sandpaper could you see how high-centered it actually was?

[CleverUserName]

I'm afraid I'm not exactly sure what you mean. After using the heavier duty paper, I was able to see some "grooves" that eventually wore away with the continued lapping though.

[Whyzman]

Every sink I've lapped has immediately shown wear on the four corners when first using the heavier paper. You could really see how the aluminum sinks had cupped during the cooling following the extrusion process. It was quite evident...

[CleverUserName]

Ah I see what you mean. Yes I did see the corners start to wear and I thought it was a problem lol. But I kept going and i think it turned out okay.

[paul_]

That P4 is about the equivalent to an X2 3800+, right? Either way, nice temps with just the stock HSF. I have a 4400+ and it ROARS, but it runs about 50C under extreme load, which is toeing the line. I have my proc OC'ed to FX-60 speed, so it's technically faster than any P4 that's not OC'ed (with a $460 processor, may I add). Once again, I commend you on your temps.

-P

[Whyzman]

it runs about 50C under extreme loadNothing wrong with that...