Author: Chris

This Christmas, for me, has been one of trying to make things colder. Why? Because I’m in a relatively small room that overheats even with the windows open. The source of this heat always was my computer. So, I needed to fix that.

The case PCSpecialist.co.uk supplied me was always too small for the job, and the 700W PSU came with an abundance of wires that were being unused, so were left dangling and consequently cut off vital air flow. As my PC is currently down in a relatively tight spot, It often seems to take back in the exhaust warm air, leading to it getting warmer. Throw a bit of dust into the mix, and the thing was cutting out whenever I tried anything CPU intensive.

So, enter the HAF 932 computer case. I chose this because it boasts three 230mm fans, enough to move air away. I also chose this as it takes in air from the front using one of them, so avoiding the heat recycling happening with side intake fans. Moving the computer was easy, apart from noticing I was not given a Q Connector, so had to find where the power and LED pins were from the manual. Afterward, the PC wouldn’t detect my soundcard, but I rectified that with a removal, blowing the PCI slot and reinsertion. Also below is a comparison with the old case for size. Click the images to enlarge.

The main source of heat inside the computer was the CPU, each of the four cores often hitting 57-60C when ide according to SpeedFan. To overcome this obvious problem, I bought theZalman CNPS9700 NT CPU Cooler. I was not sure whether to get this to begin with, as my current motherboard, the ASUS P5N-E SLi, has a massive fanless Northbridge heatsink, which is extremely wide and tall. Thankfully, after installation, it does clear it with a good gap between also.

The cable management on the new case is excellent. A “crawlspace” underneath the motherboard allows all cables to be routed in this way, preventing precious airflow blockage. Any unused cable can be stuffed around the back or at the bottom, where they do no harm.

All in all, these two additions have completely altered the temperature situation in here, with nothing really ever goes over 47C, as the Speedfan screenshot from after a GTAIV game shows.

Next, I wonder if I should OC the CPU…

So, me and orudge (Owen) went to see Sigur Rós in Bournemouth last night. orudge drove practically the length of the country, and I only went half way!

Well, I’m a convert. The whole event was awesome. The support band was okay as well. I didn’t get any pictures because the iphone camera is a bit backwards, and I didn’t bring my camera as people who own DSLRs get arrested under terrorism laws these days.

Now to buy some albums over iTunes!

When I returned I had computer issues. Dust has completely damaged the CPU heatsink, and when I cleaned and reseated it, it wouldn’t seat properly, and the computer would turn off by the time the logon screen finished. Reusing my old, original CPU heatsink worked a wonder, and now it all works again, but I’ll need a new CPU heatsink for the long term. Suggestions people?

After the photos I took a few weeks back of the Alwen Dam, on Oct 5th, I think, I noticed the sun glare could easily be stopped with a lens hood. Just holding the one from the 55-200mm lens over the 18-55 doesn’t really work because the field of view just includes a dark circle, so I invested in the HB-45 lens hood. This is designed for the 18-55, and fits on the end quite nicely. I also bought a Hoya UV filter on a recommendation. I did, and after attempting to use it the wrong way for a while, the results can be seen in photos I took yesterday, here. But unlike that Jessops link for the lens hood, I didn’t pay £10.99 for one, I paid around £7.99 from Amazon.co.uk, who were using some other company. Now though, they’re using another dealer who is selling for £19,99!

I also bought an ML-13 remote, which will allow for less button mashing when using a tripod, and self portraits. Amazon seems to have stopped selling this altogether. Must have been when the company who were selling for them withdrew.

Why does everyone start talking about Christmas when Summer ends? In the past few weeks I have heard or been in many Christmas related conversations. The nights are drawing in and getting dark, before we know it it’ll be Halloween and then bonfire night. My only real aim is to not crash my car over Winter, like last time!

Things are getting darker quick.