AMD 5200+ RC690 high temps

[dazed554]

I need advice on how I should set up my fans in my Cooler Master RC690 case. I have tried several different configurations and none of them seem to affect my temperatures very much, if at all. I'm lucky if my cpu idles at 39C. Any light use(internet browsing, listening to music) will bring it up to about 45 or 46 degrees C. If I'm playing games, I'm lucky to stay under 60. I know that part of the problem is the stock heat sink, but I know people that also use the stock, with similar cpus, and they have never seen their cpu get into the 50s.

Currently I have have 2 top intakes, 1 front intake(does not create much airflow due to HDD bay), 1 rear exhaust, and one exhaust over my graphics cards. Prior to this setup I had intake in the rear, over the cpu, front, and 2 exhaust at the top and I had similar temps.

If a new heat sink is the only true solution, what would you recommend?
I want something cheap say the Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro or Alpine 64

I have:
AMD 5200+
8600GT SLI
2gb RAM
single HDD
single optical drive
M2N4SLI mobo

[cdawall]

the coolermaster gemini II drops down to $10 after MIR a lot of times and keeps my hot running clawhammer C0 chip under 47C load

[SirKeldon]

I'll go for the Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme with two 120mm fans (in&out) or the new Xigmatek HDT-S1283, maybe are a bit expensive, but the few extra dollars you pay is totally less than the satisfaction and well-knowing you're cooling the CPU the best way you can.

See http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm for more models and details :) Take a look also to Tom's Hardware HSF 2008 chart here (http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/02/20/cpu_cooler_charts_2008)

[crinagerulz]

Hey, well to be honest mate you shouldn't be reaching those temperatures which i know you know, or you wouldnt of created this post :P so lets try and help out.

Always try and remember the key fact hot air rises!!! that meens you dont want intake fans at the top!! definitly stick to exhaust!! and have your intakes low down.

A good setup i always try and follow is have an exhaust fan at the top of the case and the rear panel. 2 intakes on the front of the case and i have a intake fan/modded passive cooler on the side to flow into my CPU cooler(Arctic Pro) it works a dream and keeps my PC cool why dont you try a config. like that??

Also if this still isn't helping your temperature problems definitly go for the arctic pro 64 V2. Best money i ever spent for my computer its so cheap at only £10 and is definitly one of the best it beats zelman in performance by far from experience!!!

Hope this helps.

EDIT -- Oh and i know this may seem trivial but have you got your fans correctly posistioned for their different uses, label in for exhaust out for intake?

[dazed554]

I know that it makes sense to put the exhaust fans at the top, that is why I had them there originally. Because of the high temps I decided to try something different. I figured that putting exhaust fans at the top was pulling hot air from my graphics cards up towards the cpu, which would not be beneficial. Since I already had a setup similar to what you suggested, I guess I will go with a new cooler.

[crinagerulz]

hmm sorry i didnt know form readin your comment, hmm have you got any room for a fan underneath ur GPU?? if not is there anyway you could mod one in, alot of overheating problems are solved by a exhaust fan under the GPU!!.

Also where do you have places for fans in your case?? what are the available slots and how many fans do you own?

[dazed554]

Actually, I do have a bottom fan slot, but my computer is on a carpet and there is not much room for airflow under the case.

[crinagerulz]

yer but if you apply one of your fans as an exhaust to the bottom slot, that should improve some cooling conditions, that way the hot air (about a third normally) produced will be taken out straight away as it is created from your GPU, and exspecialy SLI!!! hmm also it will stop stagnant air forming, which is warm air created from air flows that cross etc. causeing air to stay in the case!! this is normally cause from the GPU heat produced.

[dazed554]

Would a mostly covered fan at the bottom be better than one open one next to the cards?

[crinagerulz]

I'm just trying to help out your problem with solutions, i dont know enough about your current set-up, like how many fans you own, all the slots available etc.