Test setup

JMke's Test Setup
CPU	P4 2.4 “C” @ 3Ghz - 1.6v vcore
Mainboard	Chaintech 9CJS Zentih
Cooling	Swiftech MCX478-V + 80mm Aerocool Extreme fan
Memory	2 * 256Mb PC3700 OCZ
Video	nVidia TNT2

Room temp during testing was 24°C, full load temperature was obtained by running 2 instances of Folding@Home during minimum 30minutes.

First I installed the system into the original Overture, it ended up looking like this:



Load CPU: 72°C / System: 47°C

Now we switch to the revised version:



Load CPU: 68°C / System: 45°C

4°C drop between the 2 setups and without any increase in noise as the extra 80mm in the revised Overture is virtually silent. While the CPU temp is now outside the *danger* zone, it still comes really close. I decided to swap the PSU fan around so it would blow hot air outside the case:

Load CPU: 67°C / System: 41°C

The drop in CPU temperature is not very encouraging, but the overall system temperature has gone down by quite a bit!

I think the only effective solution to reduce the temperature of the CPU, is to increase the airflow in that area specifically, I noticed some empty space above the PS/2 and USB connectors and was thinking of adding 2x40mm fans. Such small fans are fairly silent and can remove hot air effectively without adding extra noise:



I have yet to test this out as I’m building up the courage to use a Dremel on this case (since last time I kind of messed up the great looking top panel and had to ask TerAngreal to fix it for me).

Onto our conclusion ->