Ok, some good stuff particularly the comment about the PSU and CPU mounted close to each other. The board is Micro ATX, you will have noticed, but I want to keep it though only realized about lack of space when I installed it.
Humor me on this one, take the case off your PC and see what the idle temps are
The case is open but there isn't much change. Also, the way cases are designed (even old ones) keeping them open doesnt improve conditions because the flow path of air is different. I was hoping for a difference but, alas, nothing.
also look at your pic though I cant see how much room you have, have you considered moving the Mboard towards the bottom of the case a bit heat rises right,
I could do that possibly, but I wanted to stick to the index for the stand-offs. I don't think it matters as long as they line up but you never know. As you say by moving there is still space for my two cards though it means re-arranging everything... aghhhh!!
As for fitting an additional fan... if I had the tools id mark the holes on the side of you case an drill a hole, file it down/clean it up an stick a 120mm fan( and a chrome fan guard )or larger fan on there...
Yes. Most definitely a thing which I am thinking of doing. I will have to measure the top of the case, if not, use the holes you see near the PCI slots at the back of the case. This is something I am seriously considering. Also thanks a lot for the link.
That 74C was nothing for Prescott.
Well, though I have read documentation it is way too hot still. I mean you can actually tell the CPU is under strain even when watching a video. Say I watch a 720p video on youtube, temps shoot up and at times frames lag like its in pain. I don't think its right and will have to cool it down.
You could try liquid cooling the CPU
Can I do that for such an old socket? I have seen the thermaltake coolers for instance, which look like the starship enterprise, but I dont think cooling solutions apart from just a sink and a fan exist for this socket. I hope they do.
I'll post a picture of the back of the case later on. Thank guys for the massive input.