I'm a newbie at this, having built my first computer a year or two ago. I didn't install the CPU, instead purchasing a motherboard/CPU combo. The Chip is an Athlon XP - 2000, I think (I'm not at that computer right now). The MB is an ASUS.
First thing I noticed after I built the thing was that it was LOUD. Way louder than any computer I'd previously had. When it's on I can hear it from across the condo with the door closed.
So I've tried to quiet it down. I bought a funky Zalman copper fan-like heatsink, which kind of worked except the CPU got hotter and I had to turn the case fan up to compensate.
I should say that this is a balancing act, as if my CPU goes over a certain temp (approx 65C) the computer bluescreens. The trouble is that summer is coming, and last summer was a hot one, and I couldn't have my computer on at all during a hot day or it would crash right away. I can deal with the noise, but my job will suffer if I can't use the computer during July and August.
I'm looking to fix this problem. What are my options? I could just fork over the cash for a Dell or something, which would be easy but pricey and I'd hate to ditch all the components I bought for this machine. Would a new CPU (ie, a P4) help matters? Do they run cooler? How much do cases matter? Has anyone else run into this?
Thanks,
-Daniel
It is indeed a trade-off. I like zalman for quiet and performance, are you sure you installed yours right? Some high quality thermal paste, like arctic silver, can also drop cpu temp a couple degrees vs what comes packaged with the heatsink. Newer cpu's for the most part are hotter, so thats no help. Your case does affect cooling, particularly in how many and what size fans. Be sure you have as many fans as possible, and as large as possible. Vantech stealth fans are quiet. If you really need cooling, try just taking the side of the case off and running a room fan at it. Not too loud, and good airflow.
If you have a good amount of money to spend, also look into watercooling (quite cool, nice and quiet, pretty expensive) or even a vapor cooling setup like prometia (very cold, quiet, very expensive)
HTH