Case Fan?

Question

Considering i just purchased this 8300, I noticed that certain applications slowed down after hours of use. So i thought i could upgrade my system and monitor my temperatures. Turns out of course that the 8300 motherboard does not have a temperature monitor built into the motherboard. It also turns out that my 8300 has no front fan to pull air in. it also has no real fan to push air out the back. The only fans i have are in the power supply and for the CPU. The cpu is set to pull air from the back and funnel it directly onto the CPU Heatsink. However i have no air flow going from one side to the next. I guess its safe to say that my system isn't staying cool. Just my processor. So the performance i get from this 8300 is nothing to what i should get for my money's worth.

This will be the last time i ever buy a Dell machine.

Just thought i would share my wonderful Dell experience.

Grumper · Answer

Dont dispair--I have two Dell that suffer from the same problem----with Dell its all about 'quiet' not really about MOD performance, Dell can run with the big guys but not the 8300--if you want to MOD a DELL you can do it ,I have and with good results. The cooling issue means you have to cut into your case --side--top--whatever a install a few fans [easier said then done]--it can be done. Ive pulled the shroud [cover] off the cpu and tossed it on a 4100 and got cross ventalation going and all is well ----will you notice any real difference, I doubt it unless you run some high end games then things will get better---doing mundane things --dont bother--- the Dell will be fine just as they sent it to you.

Upset_Owner · Answer

Good point. I am talking about high end games when i talk about applications. For work purposes the dell works just fine. Then again so did my 933mhz. I know what you mean about modding and when i got this Dell i wasn't considering modifying it, but at this point I think i rather go out and buy a new case, mobo and power supply. Cutting the case plastic, metal just isn't worth the time and effort. Plus i'll just get more upset at the fact that i had to cut the case (plastic and metal) just to get something that should be standard. Just about any case you buy (for performance or not) will bring enough space for fans.

Oh well. Thanks again.

dan39 · Answer

dageezerus, i think it would be a good idea if we posted at the same time.

DELL-Donald K · Answer

Actually both the CPU fan & the PSU fan are both exhaust fans, they blow air out of the case. Air intakes are in the front at the bottom & the grille in the back of the chassis. So the system has a positive air flow from front to back. This design has worked well for the 4300, 4400, 4500, 4550, 8200 & the 8300.

The 8300 has a good record of performing well, & no real heat issues.

If you were concerned about gaming & cooling, then XPS would have been your system of choice. 2 CPU exhaust fans, 1 Intake fan, 2 PSU fans & a video card fan.

dan39 · Answer

if youre within your 30days you can just return it and build yourself a system. also the fan in the back is an exhaust fan. it draws air out of the case not into and over the cpu. so in effect it takes out the warm air from the cpu and air from within the case and bringing cool air from the front. obviously case cooling isnt a high priority for a dell, but it should be adequate for any applications you may be doing. im not to sure, but it doesnt seem like many mass market pc's have great cooling solutions. that said, the dell one isnt bad as it focuses on the warmest part of the pc, the cpu. ideally it would be nice if they used a hsf combo for the cpu and a case exhaust fan and intake. (however most dell customers will never look inside their pc and care about fans, just so long as it runs, instead with 3 fans they would complain about the noise) it shouldnt really be slowing down. you can consider fans to put over your pci cards etc which will lower case temps.

Upset_Owner · Answer

well my system has the cpu fan pulling air from the rear. its funneled directly onto the heatpipe of the cpu. just to be sure i even blew cigarette smoke into the rear area.. and it gets pulled right in. its a p4 8300 3.0

dan39 · Answer

reverse it asap.

Grumper · Answer

To make sure about any fan direction use a peice of tiolet paper and hold it up to the fan, intake should hold the paper exhaust will not.

If in fact the rear "exhaust" is intaking do like Dan39 says---reverse it pronto

Grumper · Answer

Fans attached to a heatsink ,attached to the CPU are supposed to bring air in [ blow onto the heatsink] to cool the heatsink and keep the CPU cool. If there is only 1 fan I feel it should exhaust out, otherwise where will the heat go ?

Now a so called CPU fan on the back of the case that is meant to reduce the heat on a CPU without a fan on the heat sink it self should exhaust air out--you have shroud on your 8300 ? is there an additional fan on the heatsink ?. My Dell 4100 had a shroud [ no additional fan on the CPU, really no need to] I tossed it out and the heat factor is nil--but keep in mind that it is a Pent III 966Mhz, not what is in your 8300---if your system only has a single fan, it darn sure better exhaust out.

Upset_Owner · Answer

Correct me if im wrong.. but aren't cpu fans supposed to blow onto the heatsink? i have a heatpipe btw.

osprey4 · Answer

I suggest the tissue paper technique, as opposed to blowing cigarette smoke into a computer.

Upset_Owner · Answer

Well the heatpipe does not have a fan on it directly. It has a funnel on it, which goes to the back of the case. on the other side of the funnel is a fan which is now pointed outward and blowing air outward. So either way this is bad. If i blow air inward then my cpu has a fan with a funnel blowing air directly onto the heatpipe. This setup would leave me with no case fan. (not including the PSU fan). Now that its switched, i have a case fan with no cpu fan. :/

Grumper · Answer

OK---- the rear [only fan] is blowing the air out of the tunnel out thats good--now if you want to improve on that install a fan on the HeatSink blowing on the heatsink/CPU this will make the CPU cooler and the air is being removed by the rear case fan. Or remove the shroud [ tunnel] get a decent heatsink fan to cool the CPU and let the rear fan cool the case---options---options---options

jmt4m · Answer

Ah...that is the $100,000 question to be answered.....

How do I attach a fan on top of the heatsink itself? What models will work and how is it attached? I too, have an 8300 that is unbearably loud. I have a 9800 Radeon Pro in there. The case fan starts revving up big time about 10 minutes of just web surfing. And it never slows down, until I shut off the computer! Too loud, and I'm NOT being nitpicky either.

As long as there is a way to keep the temp cooler, the thermostat on the installed stock fan will not speed up to crazy RPMs. The decibel rating on this fan (NMB one gets up to about 45). That is rather LOUD. Something in the 20s I can tolerate!

So, Please advise as to the type (model) of fan that can go over this particular heat sink and how it is installed. This will help me out a HUGE deal. thanks.

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Case Fan?

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