What's the next best thing I can do to cool

[Ripthruster]

Right now I'm running my system with:

Raidmax Smilodon case-all stock fans. Two on left side one on right side and large case fan in front. One of the two left side fans blows air onto the vidcard, the other left pulls air out.

Zalman 9900A LED Heatsink/cooler on I7-2600K OC'd

Thermaltake toughpower 750Watt supply (has bottom and back fans)

I'm getting pretty good cooling now but its feezing here in the NE and I'm cheap when it comes to adjusting the thermostat. When summer comes, I don't know how high 80's-90's ambient temps will affect things.
Right now ambient is 62F in the house. I'm idling mid to upper 20's and was gaming all day friday and barely peeked over 40, nut mostly mid 30's.
Longest I ran Prime 95 was about half an hour and temps got to 61-62C When I stopped it.

I do have to swap out my mobo soon due to the P67 recall so I'm not adverse to changing the heatsink on the CPU if a better one can do a better job. I can't go too much bigger (I think) as the Smilodon is large but not a huge case.

Also is there a big difference in some of the branded case fans or do they all perform the same more or less?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

With case fans, you have to balance noise versus air flow.....the more flow, the more noise. Speed control, preferably via BIOS control is the best way to get this balance. If ya don't have enough MoBo fan headers, or a case that provides fan speed control, a fan controller like the NZXT Sentry 2 is advisable.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article63-page1.html

As for fan CPU coolers, peruse the cooler test databases but avoid ones base upon the LGA 775 socket as the heat signature is different from 1155/1156/1366

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=447&Itemid=62

 

[Ripthruster]

So would it be worthwhile to change out the stock Raidmax fans that came with the case? I can't find info on what their CFM and db stats are to compare with others.

 

[damric]

I just ordered an NZXT Sentry 2. I can't wait to play with it with my CM R4's

 

[geofelt]

I suggest you change out your case. One 120mm intake fan is not good; the 80mm side fans are mostly worthless.

Look at the Antec 300 illusion model:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

 

[Ripthruster]

I suggest you change out your case. One 120mm intake fan is not good; the 80mm side fans are mostly worthless.

Look at the Antec 300 illusion model:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

I know I was looking at some awesome cases at Microcenter a couple hours ago . I need a vid card first, then maybe in a month or two I'll go for a Haf932 or something better than the Smilodon.
I have o do the Sandybridge Mobo switch so that would be the Ideal time to do it.

 

[geofelt]

I know I was looking at some awesome cases at Microcenter a couple hours ago . I need a vid card first, then maybe in a month or two I'll go for a Haf932 or something better than the Smilodon.
I have o do the Sandybridge Mobo switch so that would be the Ideal time to do it.

For cooling, get a graphics card with a dual slot direct exhaust cooler. Other coolers cool well in open benchmark settings, but not in cases. They let the hot vga air recirculate in the case, heating up both the vga card AND the cpu. Not good.

Here is an example of a direct exhaust cooler card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130568

 

[Ripthruster]

Best answer selected by ripthruster.

 

[Ripthruster]

I bought a couple of Scythe Kaze fans. 1 120mm (110cfm) for the exhaust and one 80mm for the side. If they seem to move more volume, I'll buy another set.
It's real nice to have a microcenter nearby what an awesome selection they have with attention given to high end gaming rigs.

 

[Ripthruster]

I couldn't help myself. I bought a HAF 932 case on the way home from work today. 126 bones from Microcenter. I love that place. Now I can't wait to set it up tomorrow.