Small case with cooling issues!!!!

[heyheyheyo]

I have a P4 3.4ghz on a stock cooler. It runs hot (hits 80degrees C in bios not but 2min after start up). I am using an matx case. Without replacing the case, what would be the best way to lower the noise output of the system and temperatures in the case?

My case is:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144113

I have thought about these items to help, do you agree?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118030
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999122
- mounting one or two of those in the front of the case and drilling a few holes behind the handle?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835888112
- I'm not sure if there would be a way to place holes in the plastic window on the side for that last one.

I am looking for case-mod ideas or if you know a small and relatively cheap (emphasis on relatively) water cooling system I could use in it that would be great.

Oh yeah, my free space is tight because the psu cables are very un-bendable and take up much space. I'm using an ultra x-connect...
thanks people.

 

[akhilles]

Think you could fry me an egg & make me a cup of coffee on that new George Foreman?

1st thing 1st, move the case away from the wall & any object, leaving at least 2-5" clearance. That along will reduce the temps. Maybe even move it to where it will be cooled by a table fan or A/C or near a slightly open window.

The TT 120mm fan is pretty loud at full blast. If possible, use the mobo to control the exhaust fan speed.

The Zalman cpu cooler will help.

 

[jay2tall]

Honestly I think the Zalman might be to small for that small case. How much clearance do you have in there? I would suggest a cooler with more surface area. This way it can absorb more heat and then let the fan cool the larger area. Since you probably have limited case airflow this would be a key idea. Most surface area can dissipate heat better.

 

[geofelt]

What vga card do you have? Can you mount a cooler that sends the heated air out of the case?

Love the looks of the case

The P4 is a very hot cpu, can you change it out for a E8400?

The ninja mini has had some good reviews: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185046
The stock cooler is not very good.

Tou could try a slot fan like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999704 the speed control knob lets you control the cooling vs. noise equation.

 

[akhilles]

You hit the nail on the head. If the OP's mobo is compatible with C2D, you can solve the heat issue by upgrading to a $50+ Celeron x2 or even e21x0.

 

[heyheyheyo]

The problem is my motherboard doesn't even support a Pentium D.... I made a bad choice picking this motherboard 3 years ago. At this point I'm thinking I'll get 2 80mm fans for the front of the case and drill some holes behind the case handle so they pull more air in. I'll also get the add in card that pulls the air out of the case and position it in between my 7800gs and my sound card. Also, it would be unwise of me to not get that Mini Ninja (if it fits) with arctic silver 5.

That or I could get a 5500 black edition proc, a 9600gt, a new motherboard, and some reliable cheap ddr2 ram to hold me over till the next best processor comes out. (weather it be Nehalem or some awesome amd proc that comes out of nowhere.)

If I did half build I would get:
Video Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127332
Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128090
Ram:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2206874&Sku=C13-2022

Of course one other thing I might do is break out the air compressor and clean the visible dust off the stock heatsink...(I just looked at it last night)

 

[heyheyheyo]

Forgot to say if I did buy all that, I would def. OC the black edition to make it worth it. From what I can tell, the black edition 5500 cpu should OC better than the e2180 intel. Only slightly more expensive. Just my thoughts..

 

[krj15489]

if you are going to rebuild your system i would get a 3870. it is about the same as the 9600gt but a dual slot cooler that pushes air out of the back. and with a 780g mother board you will have hybrid crossfire support. you can use the onboard graphics to get a performance boost.

 

[akhilles]

I have the 5000+ black o/c'ed to 3ghz on stock voltage. Heat is the same as a stock 5000+ pc. However, it CAN'T touch a 3ghz c2d. Ever. Then again, an o/c'ed c2d may produce quite a bit of heat.