37 replies to this topic

[xWiredx]

Again - fan to molex adapter.

Some fans have directional arrows imprinted on their surround somewhere. Some don't. For those, google how to tell which way the fan is blowing, or simply leave the case side panel off and visually observe. Usually works, though sometimes they spin up too fast to tell the first time. Also, if they came with the case, maybe switch them out for something a little nicer. You should be able to identify them and get specs relatively easily, so if you can't they might be generic crappy ones.

[Lionsroar]

Thanks

Replacing the case fans might be the quickest, easiest way to go....

[mechnut450]

depending on the way your fans are spinning you might need to flip the one fan around sounds like they both trying to pull air at the same time. if possible flip the case fan and see if that helps. I have my computer in a desk spot as well and I have to blow the dust out every few weeks.
You can get a board to set the computer on ( better than books ) and it will help prevent the carpet fibers from getting sucked in. I take my computer outside when I blow the dust out cause it can get bad during the summer.

[Lionsroar]

Ran to micro center and bought 2 new fans-cosair AF 120 that the kid there said were good. I also bought the fan to molex connector.

The only problem is that when I look at the power cables there are no plugs that look like the molex one. I have a ton of these very flat, roughly one inch across connectors, but nothing that looks like the molex. Where do I plug it in? Into the power supply itself? If so which outlet? There are a few-VGA, sata, cpu2, perif, but none look like this molex plug will fit. Where do I plug this thing in?

Thank you for your assistance and forgive my ignorance.

[Lionsroar]

I managed to buy two of the fans that do not come with directional arrows, but a quick Google search gave me guidance. That led me to look at the fan on the cpu cooler. It is mounted to the rear of the heat sinks and blows air across them. So it is acting as an intake fan and the rear vent of my case is acting as an intake not an exhaust.

Is this correct? If so I am assuming that the front fan should then act as an exhaust fan. I was going to hook up the front fan as an intake once I resolve that molex issue.

Since the cpu fan is acting as an intake and is approx 4 inches from the vent holes is there a need for a second intake fan there? Can I just use the cpu fan as an intake and the front fan as an exhaust?

[xWiredx]

Your PSU doesn't have ANY molex connectors? Those flat ones are SATA connectors. Huh. That's kind of odd. The EVGA PSU I looked up (just copy+pasted into Google and then hit Newegg) says it comes with 6 molex. Maybe you just don't have those plugged into it? It is modular, after all. Even my brand new Seasonic 760W has a couple of molex connectors.

Guess instead of a molex to fan adapter you'll need a sata to X adapter. These tend to be a little different, often going from sata to a molex, or sata to molex and fan, or sata to 2 molex. In other words, kind of better in a way.

[Lionsroar]

http://imgur.com/gIpxNDI
http://imgur.com/g2Jyo1M

I'll look. Maybe it was something we didn't install. My friend was showing me and my son what to do.

[xWiredx]

The first pic is definitely a sata connector. That EVGA PSU should have come with some molex connectors as well, though. Still, the better, space-saving and airflow-helping solution would be a simple adapter. Micro Center should definitely have a sata to molex or sata to fan (or a sata to molex and fan).

http://www.microcent...th_Locking_Clip

The second picture... okay, let me sell you on turning the airflow the other direction. Your CPU heatsink is so close to the rear of the case (in most instances it is, but yours is REALLY close) that you should take that opportunity to exhaust at the rear (which is very common). Make the front be the intake. You will be happy with it that way.

[Lionsroar]

http://imgur.com/Hq6ZNgy

[Lionsroar]

I found the molex connectors in a box of spare parts. I didn't realize that we didn't install them.

To reverse the airflow, should I try to keep the cpu fan in the same place and turn it around so it pulls air across the heat sink and pushes it out? Or should I try to put the cpu fan on the other side of the heat sink?

[Lionsroar]

After installing the fans, molex cables to the power source, switching the cpu fan, I go to use this molex-fan adapter and....

I bought the wrong one. I bought the female fan end....FML....

[Lionsroar]

The reversed fan now pushes air across the heat sink and out the back. The back fan is set up as an exhaust.

The CPU fan is pretty much on top my the ram stick. Is this correct?

http://imgur.com/mJlMsRi
http://imgur.com/7mvrWnZ

Edited by Lionsroar, 12 January 2016 - 08:21 PM.

[Jragonsoul]

xWiredx, on 11 January 2016 - 06:08 AM, said:

Here are a few things to think about.

First - There needs to be an intake and an exhaust fan in addition to the CPU cooler running, or you're just helping keep warm air in the case. I highly recommend a front-to-back and/or bottom-to-top approach. Meaning the front of the case and/or bottom would blow air into the case, and the read and/or top fan would blow air out of the case. This, my friend, is a necessity and definitely worth the purchase of more (and better) fans.

Second - Thermal compound is ideally replaced after 6-12 months. I know, a lot of people will groan about me saying that as the stuff generally does most of its job well into 2 years after application. Those people probably have not had Sandy Bridge chips do 5GhZ without a fuss for 3 1/2 years, though. If you used whatever came with the heatsink, you may or may not have some left. Even if you do, maybe you want something slightly better. In case you're out or want to upgrade, MX-2 or MX-4 is the way to go. Definitely youtube how to properly apply it again just in case (because gobbing it on is usually not a good idea).

Third - Every inch you can put in between a heat source of any kind and the desktop is a good thing.

Honestly it only needs to be replaced that often if they/you are using one the dries out fairly quickly. There are a fair number on the market that don't need to be replaced 6-12 months.

[BLOOD WOLF]

Lionsroar, on 12 January 2016 - 08:21 PM, said:

The reversed fan now pushes air across the heat sink and out the back. The back fan is set up as an exhaust.

The CPU fan is pretty much on top my the ram stick. Is this correct?

http://imgur.com/mJlMsRi
http://imgur.com/7mvrWnZ

We have the same CPU fan. Except mine blows the heat right into my GPU motherboard

[General Solo]

I have the same heatsink as you.

In this pic I can see the flow direction arrow on the fan. Its pointing towards the front of the case.

Add both fans to the heat sink and make sure both fans are blowing air towards the rear of your PC case.
IE the front heatsink fan blow air into the heatsink and the rear fan blows air out of the heatsink.
The rear case fan should also blow out te bck of the PC case.

This heat sink runs a bit warm on my rig as well with an Intel i7 5930K.
My temps are about 60C in game.

[Lionsroar]

Just reversing the heatsink fan so it blows across towards the back, taking the case out from under the desk and elevating the case have made a huge difference. Played for several hours tonight and the hottest the CPU got was low 60's, around 61, 62 C.

The GPU is still pretty hot but I hope that when I finally get the front intake fan working that it will help out even more.

[xWiredx]

That is more along the lines of temps I'd expect while gaming. With MSI Afterburner you can control the fan profile for the GPU, Maybe just bump it up a bit until you get the front fan connected? I mean, personally, I do that anyway (and I have a big case with lots of airflow - 4 120mm fans on the side panel, 1 140mm fan at the rear, 1 200mm fan at the front, and 2 120mm fans for the radiator).

[Golrar]

I use my Corsair Utility to bump my Pump and fans up when playing MWO to keep CPU temps down, and I have an aggressive fan profile for my GTX970 set up in Afterburner. Oddly, this is the only game I actually have to bump my CPU cooling up, but that's because I am crazy and never want my CPU above 40C. Fallout 4, FarCry4, World of Warships, etc. none of these require the type of cooling that MWO needs.