Is it safe to leave the computer case open to cool it down?

[thelux008]

I got a new graphics card a week ago, the AMD R7 370, and I've started playing Witcher a few days back. The game keeps on freezing. Today, I took off my headphones while the game was still running, and the PC sounded like a damn airport?! The side of the case was warm to touch, right next to the graphics card.

Is the game freezing because of that? Also, I should note that I didn't upgrade my CPU yet, it's a bit weak, but nothing to make a game freeze constantly like this.

And, the primary thing I want to ask is: can I open my case and point my fan into it or something? Just so it doesn't catch on fire, it's damn annoying hearing it like that. I feel like it will explode.
I guess people aren't joking when they talk about AMD's overheating...

[Mod Edit for Language[/b]

 

[USAFRet]

What sort of airflow do you have going through the case?
What case fans, and where?

 

[Wolfshadw]

It really depends on your environment. If you have pets/rodents around that can get inside, then it's generally not a good idea, but for the most part, it's ok to temporarily leave the side of the case off. Just remember that you will likely be clearing it of dust more often than usual.

-Wolf sends

 

[pete_101]

The R7 370 isn't all that higher wattage card, so shouldn't get all that hot. A gaming computer needs to have adequate cooling fans to get a nice airflow, usually you want air coming in from the front and sides and exiting out the top back. Also, what cpu are you using?

 

[elbert]

I leave my case open all the time. If pointing a large fan tho it should be a good distance from the case. It could cause the case fans to not work correctly and or damage you fans. First tho try with just case open.

 

[dudio]

You need to confirm what your temperatures are. Grab HWInfo (it's free) and see what your CPU and GPU are running at.
As for having case open..if the fans are set up properly in the case (what USAFret is getting at), then they will do a better job moving air thru the case than having it open. And as was also said, having it open leads to more dust.

 

[Onus]

Please list your components. Please include the brand and model (not just wattage) of the PSU. Thanks.

 

[shrapnel_indie]

I got a new graphics card a week ago, the AMD R7 370, and I've started playing Witcher a few days back. The game keeps on freezing. Today, I took off my headphones while the game was still running, and the PC sounded like a damn airport?! The side of the case was warm to touch, right next to the graphics card.

Is the game freezing because of that? Also, I should note that I didn't upgrade my CPU yet, it's a bit weak, but nothing to make a game freeze constantly like this.

It could be freezing/locking up because of being too warm. What case and what fans are installed for cooling?

And, the primary thing I want to ask is: can I open my case and point my fan into it or something? Just so it doesn't catch on fire, it's damn annoying hearing it like that. I feel like it will explode.
I guess people aren't joking when they talk about AMD's overheating...

Mod Edit for Language

You can run with the case open with or without a fan blowing air in. I'd recommend trying it without the fan first. If the temps are more respectable and no freezing, then I'd say your case has an airflow issue. I'd also recommend trying to position the case and the things around it in such a way to minimize objects falling in, getting pushed in, or blown in with a room fan. If your GPU is still way too hot with the case open, you may have issues with the card itself.

 

[rcald2000]

thelux008 I agree with all:

* Please list your full specs, including the power supply's manufacturer and model number, and your case model, CPU fan, everything.

* While the case is closed, game for 5-10 minutes, run HWMonitor and tell use the CPU temp: http://www.cpuid.com/downloads/hwmonitor/hwmonitor_1.31.exe

* Take at least three pictures of the inside of your open case. Upload them to imgur and share the links here.

* While your case is open and the computer is powered on, are all case fans, and the CPU fan spinning?

* Is the power supply fan moving air? Simplest way to tell is to dangle a piece of toilet tissue in back of the power supply.

Please respond back with answers ASAP. Are you a smoker by any chance? I ask because I strongly suspect that you have a lot of dust or smoke ash built up in your computer case, that might be restricting air flow.

 

[thelux008]

OP here, sorry for the delay.

The power supply:
http://www.proxima-informatika.hr/products/details/napajanje-430w-corsair-builder-series-cx430/63064

My GPU:
http://www.proxima-informatika.hr/products/details/graficka-kartica-sapphire-amd-radeon-r7-370-vaporx-gddr5-4gb256bit-1075mhz5800mhz-pcie-30-x16-hdmi-2xdvi-dp-dualx-coolerdouble-slot-lite-retail/108373

The case is old, I can't find a name on it, to be honest. It's not some new Coolermaster or anything. Sorry about that

And I couldn't figure out the cpu fan model, I can just give you this... doubt it means much, tho
https://imgur.com/a/WnvbT

Also, I played about an hour or so of Witcher (the game still occasionally freezes) and these are the HWMonitor results:
https://imgur.com/a/66t42

Also, no I am not a smoker. And there isn't much dust in the case, I don't think that's it. I just feel like opening the case and letting my room fan take care of the temperature inside...

 

[rcald2000]

Those websites are Croatian, if I'm not mistaken. Cool.

Just a few more questions: What is the ambient temperature in your home? Are all the case fans moving air? Yes, proceed with opening the case.

Would you mind taking a couple of photos of the entire build? I'd just like to get a idea of the air flow inside the case.

 

[thelux008]

Would you mind taking a couple of photos of the entire build? I'd just like to get a idea of the air flow inside the case.

I have a few days old picture, so I don't have to open the case again...
http://imgur.com/a/9HudT

If it's not good enough, I'll take a picture right now.

EDIT:
And yes, all the fans are moving,

EDIT 2:
Okay, I just want to know if it's safe to open the case and cool it with my room fan... :/

 

[rcald2000]

I appreciate you answering all my questions, when you simply wanted to know if it's safe to leave your case open. Thank you. I see the CPU fan and your power supply fan. But does your case have any fans at all? I don't see any in the photo. That would explain the heat issue.

By the way, what is that card above your R7 370? In your HDD bay, there is clearly a hard drive sticking out on the bottom of it. What are the two devices above? I'm guessing the top device is DVD-ROM and maybe the middle one is SSD?

 

[pete_101]

Looking at the photo, you have no case fans at all, it's only the PSU that is pulling some air through the case. I'm sure that motherboard would have at least two (probably more) system fan headers, you should get a couple of fans, 120mm would do, and set one the front to pull fresh air in and one at the back to push hot air out.