Case Temperature

shortymet55

New Member
What temperature should a computer case be? I have "Speedfan" and im not sure what its using to get the temperature (Dell, I dont know much about it), but its reading around 53C. Is that bad? I dont have any fans in my computer (other than the PSU). I figure Christmas is coming around, so now is the time to pick out a fan if I need it, but first i need to know if i need one at all.
 
Correction: It has one other fan. Its on the back, but a green cover directs all the air towards the CPU. Is there a way to make speedfan pick up this fan?
 
53C is about 130F. Are you sure you don't mean CPU, board/system, or GPU temp? Even still, 53 would be kind of high for CPU or system temps, but right what I'd expect for a reasonably current graphics card.

Try and neaten up the wires first. Use zip ties, think about picking up a rounded IDE cable, and clean out the dust with a can of compressed air (available at nerd stores, or online).

Do you have an OEM case from a pre-built manufacturer? If so, and think you can disassemble your entire system and put it back together, consider transplanting your system to a new case. I like my Antec 900, but ask 50 people on here what the best case for cooling is, and you'll get 50 different answers. Look around, shop around, and get what you like. But make sure it has both intake and exhaust fans. And for God's sake, read every manual for every component you have that you can actually find, and make sure you know what every wire is, especially how to connect the front USB/Firewire and audio jacks. And make sure the HDs and CD drives are plugged back in the same order if they're IDE (ribbon cables). Otherwise, you'll need to know how to reset drive jumpers (which is not hard).

Lastly, if you definately want to go the new fan route, look for high CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) ratings. Ignore fancy lights--they'll make sure your toasting computer is all nicely illuminated, and if you want light, cold cathods are a better bang for your buck. Fans at the front should be intake, rear should be exhaust. The idea is to have a continuous river of airflow through the case, in a straight line. U-shaped airflow patterns do not work. Also, make sure your new fans will fit. If they don't, start studying up for that case swap.
 
Speedfan says HD0- 53C. I guess thats my hard drive? I do clean out dust every few months. I did it today. And it is a dell case. It doesn't have any spots ready for a fan.
 
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