Computers on fire (i'm serious) and heat distribution

[2prfm.com]

Hi everyone again,

It seems my only option now for video capturing is a new computer, after reading an informative post from sticky. Have recently read a few good websites on how computers overheat, and yes-even catch fire, (i still have to see it to believe it).

Just wondering if getting a flat box processor is better then getting a tower? Would this handle the heat distribution better.

1. I can place my monitor straight on top of the box, saving desk space.

2. As all the components are in a flat box, I think this would avoid heat getting trapped at the top. or am I wrong?

Here are some of the websites I recently checked out:

German tests on AMD and Pentium processors overheating:
http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/20010917/index.html

Heat distribution issue on another forum:
http://forums.overclockersclub.com/?showtopic=31821

Sticky notes on why computers drop frames during capture:
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=157660

I'm currently looking at buying an Acer flat-bed computer with 3.4 Gig, 1024 Meg Ram, and two hard-drives, with internal DL burner.

[redwudz]

If you are referring to desk top cases, it really depends on the case. In general a desk top case has more cooling problems than a tower type case. That is somewhat due to the restricted room for components inside a desk top type case. I have an Antec Overture desk top case that has quite good cooling. It has a 120mm PS exhaust fan, 2 intake blower fans and a 120mm case exhaust fan. It also has less space for large CPU coolers.

The case temp stays about 32C and the fans are fairly quiet. (Except the PS fan, which I changed.) I needed a compact setup as it's in the front room as a media computer. For a performance computer, I would still use a tower case. I have two medium tower case computers and the air flow is much better than the desktop models.

[ranchhand]

A standard desktop or tower doesn't make any difference. It depends of the heat of the CPU and the engineering airflow of the box itself. Always get a blowhole in whichever box you use (a blowhole is a top vent with a mounted exhaust fan-a good example is the pic that redwudz posted) because heat rises. Of course, a rear 80 or 120mm vent is always needed.

BTW-the only time a computer would catch on fire is if there was a direct short creating sparks. That is very unusual. 100% of the heat failures on boxes are either overheating CPU which shuts down the unit because both AMD and Intel have thermal shutdowns to protect the CPU from meltdown, or the Power Supply overheats (usually due to a failed PS fan) and shorts out thus causing untold damage to the components.

If you are considering a homebuild, I would suggest a tower case because they are more adaptable to adding components.

[ROF]

The usual cause of fires inside the PC is the power supply shorting out and catching on fire. This type of problem is usually detrimental as there is a direct place from a flame to eject from the box and catch the desk or nearby carpets on fire. I've only heard of this happening once. A friend of several years ago had her Pentium 2 machine (maybe an older AMD) catch her desk on fire and engulfed two rooms of her house before the fire department extinguished the flames. The power supply of the computer was determined to be the cause and an insufficient surge supressor was also noted.

Two pieces of advice:

1) Invest in a good surge supressor.

2) Never take a power supply that starts making loud whirring sounds for granted. Replace immediately. Power supplies are easily replaced and are dirt cheap $20-$50 online.

[jdizzy40]

As already stated, case design and airflow are the key. I started out with the Antec Overture and had to add a top 90mm fan. I then bought the upgraded Overture II (the one in the picture above). Antec upgraded because of heat issue complaints. The first design lacked any top vents, and the power supply ehausted its air inside the case instead of out the bottom. I also have the Mediapc case which has plenty of vent hole and fans (I added 2 side ones, one puling the other pushing air). So whatever you go with look for plenty of vent or blow holes and good airflow by internal fans.

[anitract]

IMO, unless you are overclocking your CPU, you need not worry about overheating. Most computer components are made to tolerate a pretty high degree of heat.

A real fire? Well, that could be due to any one of a number of faulty components, but as was said it could likely be your PS.

Now, if you truely want a "cooler" CPU, I'd suggest a 35W Athlon XP or one of those nice Pentium M chips. Or, any other low-power CPU.

[I_am_stealth]

Another serious isssue is the noise.... really.
You can easily stick 4 fans or more inside your case as large as they fit, and all running at high speeds! you only have to remember really that hot air goes up and cold air down. You can speed this up in the way you want. It is not practical though. Your computer will be noisy like hell!
What you could do, get :
lower speed fans but larger.
get a gaphics card with a cooler that blows out of the case the hot air from inside.
Before buying a fan,always try to check its noise level. Measured in sones or decibels usualy.
Another trick is to use fan controllers... When you are performing encoding, etc, turn the voltages up for the fans; when you do not need that sort of processing power turn them down. You will drop the noise level to a third!
If you can afford, get a fanless Power supply.
Generally, you can get larger tower cases rather than desktop ones.
I would go for a large tower case, with good ventilation at the top (maybe even a fan ). Also, even though at the moment I have an AMD CPU, generally most Intel CPUs run cooler.


Get some software that monitors your system's temperatures and you will find the compromise that suits you for various applications (noise, temp, price . I would not worry too much.


Sergiu