Hi folks,

Ive been running Seti on my main computer for a couple of months now, and have been doing my best to squeeze out every but of performance I can to commit to the project. I'm beginning to get concerned with how hot my computer is running.

I am running an EVGA GTX760 and an Intel i7-2600K both with stock cooling. I purchased some Arctic MX-4 Thermal compound, and applied it to both the GPU and CPU, but I am still running around Mid 90C on all CPU cores, and about 80C for the GPU. I think the problem really is because I am running all of this in a Mini ITX case, the Cooler Master Elite 120.

Does anyone have any advice on better coolers I could get for the case (perhaps a water cooling setup if one will fit and it will make enough of a difference) or maybe know of a case that will have better cooling options available to it, but still maintain a Small Form Factor feel?

Thanks for the help!

ensignandy

If you are not into 'pretty', you might just try running side-off first.
If the 760 is like the 780s, it is shedding it's heat into the case, rather than out of the slot end like older cards.

---

"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

I'll look into doing that. The fans for the GPU are directly beside the side panel of the case. If they are blowing into the case, as opposed to out the cooling vent on the side, I can see that as having a major effect on the heat inside. Thanks for that msattler.

EDIT: It seemed to help on the GPU temps by about 7C. Id still like to see all of my temps come down to their normal operating temperatures if possible, though I know I am putting the components under a lot of strain running SETI.

which exact model of evga gtx760 do you have?

I'll look into doing that. The fans for the GPU are directly beside the side panel of the case. If they are blowing into the case, as opposed to out the cooling vent on the side, I can see that as having a major effect on the heat inside. Thanks for that msattler.

You're welcome.
The kitties have not put sides on the computer cases since, like, forever.
Bottling the heat up inside the case and then trying to figure out how to get it out just never made sense here.
All of the exposed fans have guards on them to protect inquisitive kitty noses.
It does, however require some additional maintenance, as kitty fur is drawn into the GPU and CPU fans.....some furball removal is required on a regular basis.

Not as much recently, as I lost a couple of my feline friends, and the two that are still with me are not as likely to wander about the computer farm checking things out...LOL.

---

"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

If you are not into 'pretty', you might just try running side-off first.

Yep, that alone dropped my CPU temperatures by 5°c

However with the move from v6 to v7 & then the use of the AVX application I had to change my i7 2600 cooler from a stock one to an aftermarket unit. With the ambient temperature in the mid 30°s most of the time it was the only way to get the CPU temperatures back down to more reasonable levels.
My Arctic i30 brought the temperatures down from mid 80°s (on the worst of days) down to around 70°c.
If there had been a closed loop water cooling system available locally at the time I would have gone for that, I'd expect it would be good for at least another 10°c reduction.

---

Grant
Darwin NT

Woohoo,

EVGA's part number is 02G-P4-2763-KR.

I'll certainly look into the Arctic i30 cooler. I'd like to try to get into the 60s but a 10C drop is a good start. I know that I don't have a lot of clearance between the PSU and the top of the fan, but I imagine I could fit a slightly larger cooler in there. How much room should I keep between my power supply and the top of the CPU fan?

I think the problem really is because I am running all of this in a Mini ITX case,

That would be the main issue, not enough room for airflow.
The best option (while keeping that case) would be a water cooler for the CPU, and mount the radiator externally (I'd expect a bit of case modding required).
That would drop the CPU temperature by a huge amount, and without all the CPU heat in there, the rest of the system temperatures should drop considerably as well.

---

Grant
Darwin NT

I could probably mount that Rad on the side or top of the case. Does it have to maintain a certain orientation to be effective?

Or perhaps you know of a larger case (say MicroATX) that would do a better job of airflow. I would like to keep the side panels on if at all possible, as this system is sometimes used as a media center pc. It has to be small and still have the IR sensor closeby.

I'll certainly look into the Arctic i30 cooler. I'd like to try to get into the 60s but a 10C drop is a good start. I know that I don't have a lot of clearance between the PSU and the top of the fan, but I imagine I could fit a slightly larger cooler in there. How much room should I keep between my power supply and the top of the CPU fan?

I've got a mid sized case, and the clearances are fairly tight- not too sure it would fit in a smaller case. And if it fit, I suspect the lack of room in there would reduce it's effectiveness, compared to being in a larger case with better air flow.

---

Grant
Darwin NT

that video card has openings on the front so hot air leaks back into the case

the stock cooler isn't designed to remove enough heat. aftermarket cooling would do a better job, but maximum cpu cooler height is only 65mm
http://www.reeven.com/cpucooler_brontes-rc-1001-2/

water cooling is an option, but the radiator won't fit in the case so you would need to find a way to snake the hoses out the rear or side of the case

you can add an optional 120mm fan on the hard drive cage, that may or may not help with improving airflow

i'm running case off as well

I could probably mount that Rad on the side or top of the case. Does it have to maintain a certain orientation to be effective?

I couldn't see why any of the current closed loop systems would need the radiator mounted in a certain orientation, but it would probably be worth downloading an owner's or installer's manual from one of the manufacturers web sites to see if there are any restrictions.

aps you know of a larger case (say MicroATX) that would do a better job of airflow. I would like to keep the side panels on if at all possible.

I've seen reviews for some cases where they perform better than similar sized ones, but compared to a larger case (or a fully open system such as the Skeleton case) unfortunately the very size of mini or micro cases means that the laws of physics are against them when it comes to cooling a heavy thermal load. Hence the use of a water cooler CPU & an external radiator to move the major source of heat outside the case, helping to cool everything else left in side it.

---

Grant
Darwin NT

LOL...
Of course, the coolest running cards I have are the couple that are running whilst sitting on TOP of the case, free air, via PCIE extenders......
Just saying.

---

"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

you can add an optional 120mm fan on the hard drive cage, that may or may not help with improving airflow

I am kind of wary of putting a fan there. That is where some of the cables sit due to the fact that my PSU is not modular. I just noticed that the 120mm fan on the front of he HDD cage seems to be an intake fan. It might be worth a couple of degrees to swap directions there.

Of course, the coolest running cards I have are the couple that are running whilst sitting on TOP of the case, free air, via PCIE extenders......
Just saying.

Not a bad idea. Any ideas on how to protect it if I were to do that?

Of course, the coolest running cards I have are the couple that are running whilst sitting on TOP of the case, free air, via PCIE extenders......
Just saying.

Not a bad idea. Any ideas on how to protect it if I were to do that?

Nope....LOL.
They are on their own. Just don't walk by and knock them off.
Mine are on top of two cases stacked, so they are high enough that the kitties don't even know they are there.

---

"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

the stock cooler isn't designed to remove enough heat. aftermarket cooling would do a better job, but maximum cpu cooler height is only 65mm
http://www.reeven.com/cpucooler_brontes-rc-1001-2/

This cooler would only give me a 6mm clearance. The PSU fan is directly above the CPU fan. Would that be enough room for adequate cooling?

probably the best thing to try for now is a low profile aftermarket cpu cooler

also, a 2600k is an unlocked processor with a stock speed of 3.4 but it can easily hit speeds of 4 or sometimes even 5ghz. but power consumption and heat go up fast with clock speed so lowering the clock speed should help lower cpu temps.

plus you have 8 cpu threads but you don't have to run all of them at once. in my instance i run gpu only

most of the aftermarket coolers that are designed for mini-itx use are right around 60mm in height. 6mm should be enough clearance, especially since the psu fan is an intake fan

the good thing about the stock fan is that it's free and it's short. but it doesn't mount very securely and it would really only be adequate if you didn't overclock at all