Looking for recommendations on a cooling solution

[sonelliot]

Hey guys,

I bought my computer two years ago this christmas. It consists of the following parts:

3.2 GHz Intel P4 LGA775
2x 512 Ram
Intel Motherboard
ATI Radeon X700 Pro

When I first began running performance-hungry games (such as Farcry) I noticed that my computer would heat up a LOT. On some days during summer the case would heat up to the point where I swear that I could cook something on it. The temperature of my room would also rise significantly. We have since then moved houses (this one has air conditioning) and I have a new desk which the computer sits in.

The problem is; that it is sitting in a little slot specifically designed for a computer tower. However, what this means is that there is no place for the air to escape while the computer is running. After a while a pocket of hot air builds up in the enclosed space, which I can feel if I put my hand in that area.

We have come up with a solution; and that would be to remove the computer's right side so that the air can escape the case easier and then remove the wooden panel on that side of the desk. This would allow the computer to get rid of the hot air circulating around in the tower space; however, it probably wouldn't fix the problem completely.

I have had frequent over-heating issues with this computer. My graphic card has already died once (when I was running the computer constantly) and I have had to send away for a replacement.

I have thought of trying water cooling or perhaps an airconditioned case.

The end of the semester is approaching and I am looking to spend some money on upgrading my computer. I have decided to purchase a ATI Radeon X1900XT and possibly some more RAM. However, I don't want to put the new graphics card into an overly hot environment. So I'm looking for a fairly low-budget cost-effective solution that will reduce the heat in the case.

By what I can tell the majority of the heat is coming from the CPU; however, the graphics card probably also contributes. So the question in point is:

For around $100-200 AUD (OR $75- 150 USD) what is the best cooling solution? Should I go with a new case fan, water cooling, an airconditioned case (I doubt I can find one for 200 AUD though) and so on?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks. :)

[Google]

[madcat]

some exact temps maybe?,
are you ocing?,
current fan set up case etc maybe,
what cooler are you using on your cpu stock?
a little more information
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[sickofsoyo]

if you keep it in that little enclosed area its going to heat up on you. Take it out of there if you can, or go water cooling if you cant.
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ATI X800 XL AIW, 525 Core, 525 mem
Creative X-Fi Platinum
PDP systems Patriot Ram 2,3,2,5 timings

[sandness]

My bro is running a Pentium 550 on an Thermalright XP-90c which does an excellent job. I'm currently watercooling a Pentium D820 with all Swiftech parts. Unless you are going to do some serious overclocking, I'd go for the XP90c. Or, if available in aus., go for the Thermaltake Bigwater 735. It is a real bargain watercooling setup. Kudos to Thermaltake on that one.
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[PowerHungry]

You might also want to look at the Thermalright Ultra-120 and with a quiet 120 mm fan on it, CPU heat should be a thing of the past.