Please help w/ Cooling

[BluffBattalion]

Hi, I'm confused about my cooling situation. I have a ASUS M51AC and I'm trying to get my idle temperatures down mainly on my CPU. I have made a few upgrades as of late by adding in a Seasonic 660w Platinum (with Hybrid mode) and a Sapphire Dual-X Radeon R9 280. I do have the PSU (fan area) facing down and that puts it over the CPU as there isn't a vent above. I have a stock 80mm fan at the rear for exhaust, a SilenX Effizio 08-15 80mm in the front pushing towards the back, and a Xigmatek XAF-F1253 120mm for intake on the side panel where the holes are located. I don't overclock anything.

Here are my idles:
CPU Package: 55c
GPU: 50c
Ambient Temp: 74f

Hopefully I can get some help without buying a new Case because I think I'll get cold shouldered in the senate (my wife).

-Bluff

 

[sadams04]

Your CPU at 55c isn't a bad thing as it is well within spec.. On the surface I would say the case has poor airflow. 80mm exhaust on the back isn't going to move much air regardless of having two intake fans (80mm front and 120mm side). I don't feel you really need to do anything, but if you do, a new case is where you should start (as you noted). At a minimum, ensure your new case has a 120mm front intake, optionally a side / bottom 120mm intake, rear 120mm exhaust, and optionally a top exhaust. Promote front-to-back airflow...

EDIT: Just noticed that 55c was at idle. The above still holds true, but maybe look at the CPU cooler and see about reapplying the thermal paste.

 

[BluffBattalion]

Thank you for the reply, I'll have to look into the paste issue. Then we have the issue of how to properly apply, I've read 1 dab and I've read more than just a dab. Also, on the stock CPU what kind of heatsink do I have, copper?

 

[BluffBattalion]

I'm going to purchase either Arctic Silver or Prolimatech PK1, any suggestions on these options?

 

[kxdan]

I've personally always used Arctic Silver, its good stuff

In addition to this, you could try aiming the incase fans in a certain direction to create a "airflow" through the case.

I've also heard having all fans blowing out of the case is far better than having them all blow into the case.

That being said, 55 isn't dangerously high

Try running http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=205

It should max out your CPU, let us know what temps you get then

 

[BluffBattalion]

@kxdan. i like the idea of all blowing one direction. really the only one in question is my 120mm side fan, I noticed when I have it pushing air outward it still has some air getting pushed back into the case, i'm guessing because the path is holes and not clear exit. But I had always heard the side fan should be a intake fan?