So right now, as listed in sig, I'm using a Coolermaster Centurion 534.

Problem is, my idle temps are 56/56/51/51... and from what I gather... that's not good.

So I bought an Antec P180 today... hopefully that helps. Also purchased an AF7 with some MX-2 Compound.

Here's my questions:

1. Do you think I'll see good improvement in temps?
2. Is there a way to make Centurion534 cool better? (maybe front intake fan?)
3. Do you think my cooling problem could be an issue with the way the HSF is seated on my CPU?
4. If I get the Centurion cooling efficiently... could I house an E2180 build OC'd at 3.0 and expect decent temps? (9600gt or radeon 3870 for gpu... haven't decided yet. It's going to be my Tax Return rig)

Thanks for the help.

Also could anyone give good advice on how to manage cables in the p180 (or even the centurion...) I'm pretty new at this.

the front intake fan will help lot, every case should has one.
if you use stock heatsink and fan is thermal controled, the idel temp is normal. you should only worry about the loading temp.
P180 is a great case, but it is pain of neck to setup, you can check silentpcreview case forum, there are some pictures can point you to the right direction.

Thanks for the reply, I'll be sure to check out that site.

As for load temps, I've seen as high as 69/69/66/66 while running CoD4. I figured that was dangerous... so I don't play any new games until I get cooling under control.

What does thermal controlled mean? Like the fan only runs when it's hot? How can I turn this on or off?

I'll see about getting a front fan. Should I get S-Flex? Or is there a better one? (people seem to like the s-flex)

I have that case on two puters. Niether overheats for me. I would suggest using higher quality fans and more of them (meaning put one at the front). Also, the side duct... is it realatively close to the HSF? It should be to ensure that the air going to it is cool and from the outside of the case.

Yea... check the bios to turn off any fan contols. They slow the fan down to reduce noise. They also can make things hotter then they would be at full tilt.

Cool, I'll check out my bios when I get home from work.

As for side duct, it's right above HSF unit. (stock)

Quality fans.... like S-Flex? Should I replace all the fans in the case?(that way just order once and install)

Thanks for the replies

The duct moves a little in and out. its ribbed (yes, for her pleasure) and can be adjusted. Quality fans... hmm.. Just look on newegg for the cfm that the 120mm fans move. You don't need the most you can get, the idea is just to move more air then the stock fans. They are pretty week. Also, your 8800... it is a two slot card, right?

The stock heatsinks are ok, but the oem ones do much better, particularly for overclocking. They are also quieter.

To help your current case, install a front fan.
Try to arrange the cabling so that it does not interfere with the free flow of air from the intake in front to the exhaust in the rear.

I see that you have a 8800GTS-640. The card has 4 slits near the rear which allows some of the hot vga air back into the case to recirculate past the cpu, making it hotter. A cheap solution is to mount a slot cooler under the vga card do suck that hot air directly out of the case. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811999704 $7.99 this unit has a speed knob so you can adjust the noise vs. cooling equation. I used this before with the same card to good effect.

If you are going to upgrade your vga card, look for one with a dual slot cooler that sends the hot air out the back. The EVGA 8800GTS-512-G92 does this as well as the new 8800GT-akimbo. ATI has some units with these coolers also.

If the heat sink is not mounted properly, it can definitely cause a problem. Is it loose? If it is, then that's your problem. To be certain that you have it on properly, you need to look at the back of the mobo and see that all 4 pins are all the way through and locked.

I'll certainly look into getting that bottom cooler deal for the video card. As for upgrading, I'm not really planning to upgrade any time soon, but for future reference I'll be sure to look for one with rear exhaust.

I'll check the pins when I get my new case & have to take out the mobo anyway. Plus I've got the AF7 coming, so I'll need to install that.

I think I'll try re-using this Centurion case for my planned E2180 OC rig once I get some new fans for it and such.

Thanks for the advice and helps.

Edit:
Also yea the card is 2 slot. Well, 2 in the back, just uses regular PCI-e x16 slot on mobo.

Those temperatures are NOT bad enough for you to stop playing CoD4, or anything for that matter. Those Temperatures are not even bad, 69 is fine for peak load. Unless you see your system reaching over 85c then there is no reason for you to worry. The Antec P-180 will be fine, though you could replace fans.

Best LED (blue) fan on the market:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835129246

Absolute BEST fan on the market, and I totally recommend this for either a cent or P180, because though they are ugly they are POWERFUL. Get these and put a pretty one in if you must.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811999344

Finally since, and no offense I'm the same way, you seem to be paranoid about cooling you will need a Fan controller. Cheap, nice looking, does not stick out too far, and works with 6 fans.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811999171

Hope this help, and good luck.

I have the first one that raven links to. It is a nice fan with lots of cfm. The blue LED should match well with the coolermaster blue LEDs.

Sweeeet. I'm not really into LED's. The ones in the Centurion kind of annoy me, especially in the dark. I'm excited for the P180 because it doesn't have such things.

I'm definitely going to see about purchasing those silverstone fans. And the controller as well. I am pretty paranoid about cooling...

And how can you say that up to 85c is ok for temps? People say that 71 is the "danger" temp... at least that's what I've read in a couple different places.

Thanks for all the help guys

Edit:
Also... how many fans total can I fit in the P180... stock is 3, I've heard of people using up to 5 though? Where would I put them all? and would the silverstone fit in all the right places for that?

Edit2:
Also wondering... what about this fan controller: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811999174

Would that be any better/worse... would it be over-kill?

Will my 500w psu be enough to handle these new fans & fan controller? How about if I decide to OC to 3.0?

You can add two 120mm fans to the front upper and lower chambers of the P180. You can put your HDD/s in either the upper chamber or the lower. If you put them in the lower, you can't put an optional fan there, nor do you need to. The lower chamber does not get hot, and the psu provides ventilation.
The net result is that only one optional fan is useful.

The case comes with decent 3 speed fans, so no controller is needed for them. It will hold any standard 120mm x 25mm fan.

If you want quiet, the P180 is good; the P182 is a bit better variant.

If you want cooling, I would look at the 900.

The cpu's have a throttling mechanism to reduce their speed if they get too hot. It is hard to cook them. Temperature readings may not be accurate, so if you do not see a throttling of performance, then you are not overheating

I only use 1 hard drive, but been thinking of getting a second. I've already ordered the P180 so I think I'll stick with it.

If I add a second hard drive do you think it will cause temp problems in that lower chamber?

What about those internal hard drive cooler/rack things I've seen on newegg are those any good? Or should I just stick with their stock hard drive mount set up?

I understand no controller needed for the stock fans, but if I upgrade them to those silverstone's I should probably get a controller I think?

A second hard drive should not be a problem. Hard drives do not generate much heat. The stock mount is fine, I would not invest up front in any additional cooling. If you want to monitor hard drive temperatures, install speedfan and activate the s.m.a.r.t hdd monitoring in the bios.

Many of the silverstone models come with a speed controlling attachment. That lets you control the speed/cooling vs. noise equation. A fan that is 1200rpm o