I don't know why I didn't check up until now but I've been playing a lot of Far Cry 4. My computer barely meets the recommended requirements but it handles it 100% fine. The only issue is, my computer gets pretty warm and the fans go nuts. Using HWMonitor, I noticed the CPU got up to 79ºC at one point and I immediately quit the game and let my computer cool down lol.

I used MSPaint real quick to show you guys the lay out of my case/fans. My current budget does not allow any part replacing (hopefully @ Christmas) so I'm just trying to see if I can squeeze anymore case efficiency with what I have. I do plan on getting an NZXT and a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO (currently using stock cooler) when I can. And I know I still have a top mounted PSU case. It's from 2009 lol.

fans to suck air in from the front and bottom of the chassi
fans to spit out air in the back and top of the chassi.

it's more than recommended to get a cpu cooler. Stocking fan is quite bad.



This post was edited by Trimble on Nov 26 2014 05:49am

PSU's generally run hot so being at the top is not a bad thing.
People mostly want psu's down low and inverted so they intake fresh air from the bottom vs using air being cycled through the system.

But as Trimble said Best is and ill always be bottom to top. Be advised side panels with intakes and fan can obstruct airflow.

Would be awesome if we knew which Cpu you had as that temp seems ridiculous even with stock cooling.
I would suspect at this point you may need to re-apply thermal compound and maybe it wasn't applied correctly the first time.
Being as money is tight look into that first as it's a 5$ fix vs 35$ cooler. I'm in no saying not to get that cooler in the future either.

Say hi to Cho for me next time you chat with him and if you want help sorting this out and tuning up your machine to maybe squeeze
a bit more performance out of your rig shoot me a pm.

Get SPECCY here: http://www.piriform.com/speccy/download ...get the FREE version from the: Piriform Link ...Speccy is a really nice system hardware/temperature, information Utility....simply install it...and run the program...then post a screen shot of the main page of the program, when posting a problem/question on these forums.

You might want to try to change that upper side intake to exhaust, unless you have holes without fans on top of your chassis.

Out of curiosity, is there a difference between going with a full ATX and a mid ATX in terms of air flow/cooling? My R9 280X is pretty cramped in my mid ATX.



I never knew until now how hot my CPU really got. I saw a little bit of dust build up inside my computer so I know I could probably drop a few ºC cleaning that. I'll be doing that soon.

I'm definitely getting a CPU cooler no matter what.



I've seen some cases that have the PSU at the bottom with a panel above it to completely block it off from the rest of the case. I'm trying to get one like that that also has side panel fan slots.

I have an AMD FX-6300 CPU. The thermal compound should've been applied correctly because it's still the original thermal compound from when I purchased the CPU and mobo lol. Which reminded me just now to check when I bought everything and it was May of 2013. I think it's time for some new stuff eh?

And thanks!



I have a top fan exhaust. The only problem is my PSU is so big and the holes are in the middle of the top of the case, so I can't use the biggest fan the holes allow. It's a dinky 80mm. It definitely helps vent hot air out but that's why I want a case with a bottom mounted PSU.

This post was edited by amej8 on Nov 27 2014 11:53am

I understand heat rises but it seems like cooling efficiency and air flow would be improved if the PSU is bottom mounted, no? The PSU would get it's own fresh air instead of conflicting with flowing air in the case. Plus the top would be more open and better allow for a good fan to exhaust any hot air at the top of the case. Maybe I just don't understand how air flow and cooling efficiency works but that's the way I would see it.

And I have no cable management lol. My case is from 2009 and it doesn't allow cable management so shits just going everywhere. I have a fully modular PSU so hopefully my next case will look better on the inside.

I'm considering the Corsair 450D. It looks really nice but unfortunately it's out of my current price range. Any thoughts on a Cooler Master HAF-912? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

After doing some reading, I might just hold off for the Corsair Air 540 cube. I'm getting too paranoid reading about people having issues with the CM 212 Evo sticking too far out and not allowing the side panel to be put on. From what I've read about the Air 540, there is more than plenty of room without question. Plus the design is pretty sweet :D.

Leave your side panel off