Overheating question - will this help?

[amannyman]

I've noticed that my comp is getting very hot when I play some games that are pretty demanding on the video card. I'm worried it might be unhealthy for the computer to be at such temperatures. I was wondering... Would running the computer with the side panel off to let some air in help at all to keep it cooler so long as I vacuum out the inside regularly get rid of any dust etc. etc? Or would this be something harmful to do? Thanks.

[pwoznic]

What are your system specs? I'd like to know cpu, mobo, ram, video card, power supply, case, everything you can tell me.

From what it sounds like, you either need a new video card or a vcard fan upgrade (depending on what you have of course).

[amannyman]

It's a couple years old

Intel 3.0 ghz
1gb RAM
256 mb ATI Radeon 9550 vid card
intel 865 GBFL motherboard

I'm not sure if it's even a problem, but I've been playing Battlefield 1942 and it has been crashing to the desktop after 15-20 minutes and I read that that can possibly be caused by overheating, but not necessarily.

I mean if I touch the top of my CPU tower it is very warm, not like owww my hand hot, but very warm. Is this normal or what?

[pwoznic]

That setup should have no trouble running the game. My guess is you need better circulation. I don't know how well removing the panel will do that.

You can try installing a fan the blows from the front of your case to the back (that's how all my systems are and never have had an overheating problem).

If you are referring to the top of the case itself, that's directly above the power supply. Warm power supply = normal, really really hot = bad lol

You can try the panel thing, but I'd recommend better internal circulation (fans) and/or a better video card, as it will be able to handle the games better.

All depends what you play too, you mentioned bf1942. I have a 3.6p4, 2gb ram, pci-e x800xt and i can max out bf2, hl2, fear, etc with no problems (system is about 18 months old).

[amannyman]

That setup should have no trouble running the game. My guess is you need better circulation. I don't know how well removing the panel will do that.

You can try installing a fan the blows from the front of your case to the back (that's how all my systems are and never have had an overheating problem).

If you are referring to the top of the case itself, that's directly above the power supply. Warm power supply = normal, really really hot = bad lol

You can try the panel thing, but I'd recommend better internal circulation (fans) and/or a better video card, as it will be able to handle the games better.

All depends what you play too, you mentioned bf1942. I have a 3.6p4, 2gb ram, pci-e x800xt and i can max out bf2, hl2, fear, etc with no problems (system is about 18 months old).

Could it be that maybe the fan on my comp needs replacing? I mean I've never had this problem before running the same game under the same specs.

[saphalline]

I agree that it's not necessarily overheating, but did you say "fan"?? As in a singular fan? If so... get out of your chair and go buy some more fans!!

You should never run a modern system without at least one case fan! And no, the PSU fan doens't count. Ideally, you'd want two intake fans and one exhaust fan, in addition to the PSU's fan(s). Two in front is fine, or one in front and one on the side. The exaust fan should be in the rear just below the PSU. This is how airflow should be in a modern computer, used for gaming or not.

[apocolypseAL]

I am currently running 7 fans with closed case, have no problems. Definately get more fans as they are not expensive.

[TopChip7]

Run your game with the side panel off and a normal desktop or house fan pointing in to the case - if it runs ok then yes its probably the heat.

Clean your existing case fan with a vacuum. Also brush down your heatsink and fan on your CPU and Graphics Card.

If there are any removable airfilters on your case, take them out and give them a good scrub.

[junk]

i am having similar concerns...
my comp hasnt crashed but i have noticed the HDDs (4) are very very hot.

i have a PSU with fan, a CPU fan, and a fan on the side of the case.
i think ill get a fan for the front of the case (near the HDDs), and hope my HDs
dont fail....

any recommendations for a good 80mm fan?

[azzey]

Ball bearing is more reliable than sleeve bearing.

[TopChip7]

Hard Drives should run optimally at 30c-40c. 40c-50c is not good but ok.
If they're above 50c you really should have a fan on them if you value your data. For the sake of £3 or £4 for an 80mm fan is it worth the risk? :(

You're whole system stability is at stake if you dont have proper cooling.

I have 2 x 80mm fans on the front - both intake - one directly onto the hard drives and one below the hard drives pulling COOL air into the case.

I then have a 120mm fan on the back - exhaust - 3 speed control switch - this pushes the WARM air out of the case.

There is then an 80mm fan on the side of the case positioned over the pci slots - exhaust - pulling warm air away from the graphics card and sound card.

On top of that I have a very powerful 92mm with speed dial control positioned directly over the CPU - Intake - Bringing COOL air in around the CPU and the ram.

Then on top of that the DDR has heatsinks and ALL of the cables are tied neatly out of the way as not to block airflow.

You may find all this a bit of over-kill but my parts should last much longer running at temperatures around 28c idle, 36c under load.

Next I will buy hard drive heat sink cases and a good Vid card fan such as Zalman VF900 or something. The cooler the parts the better the overclocking.