Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Overheating issue with newly build PC

Aug 4, 2016 9:57PM PDT

Hi,

I built a PC. It has not very high specifications. I used the i5 6600k CPU and 8GB RAM with 500 GB Storage. I assembly is mounted in a rack case custom built by metal case fabricators. I chose that because I need to keep it over a server rack in my office. After installation, I found that system is overheating. It appears not to be the problem with motherboard or CPU cooler. The size of the case is 3U and used an 80mm cooler master fan.

Do you think the case is small or the fan not powerful enough for air intake? There is 60 mm distance between the server rack and the PC case. Apparently, I can't move the system anywhere else.

Thanks for your time.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Clarification Request
Questions
Aug 7, 2016 3:38PM PDT

What's overheating? CPU, graphics card, PSU or just the chassis?

- Collapse -
What's overheating? CPU, graphics card, PSU or....
Aug 7, 2016 8:30PM PDT

It's chassis, I checked the hardware, it doesn't seem to be the problem.

- Collapse -
Answer
There are too many possible causes.
Aug 6, 2016 9:12AM PDT

And it would take a long time in a forum to find Waldo so I'd task the machine's maker to set things right.

- Collapse -
To me the chassis is the case
Aug 7, 2016 8:35PM PDT

That's metal so for that to overheat, what temp would that be? 100+ C?

- Collapse -
Answer
Overheating issue with newly build PC
Aug 9, 2016 11:49PM PDT

Also verify heat sink and fan installation. You didn’t mentioned that Is it a new window installation? Check your task manager for determining your processor idling.

- Collapse -
Answer
Only 1 fan? Where is it?
Aug 10, 2016 1:16PM PDT

If the computer case has only one fan besides the cpu cooler then it should be an EXHAUST fan not an INTAKE fan. And, the other side (or other end) of the case from where the exhaust fan is should have air vents to let fresh air in. Also, beware of dust buildup on the cpu heatsink and all fans and air vents. A rack of servers generates a lot of heat so the "fresh" air entering your computer case may already be rather hot. This is not a good situation as i'm sure you realize.
You also mentioned the cpu is an i5-6600k which is a model intended for overclockers. Overclocking a cpu requires cool air intake and above average airflow and excellent cpu cooler, so i hope you're not o/c-ing this cpu. In fact, you could and should enable C-states in the UEFI/BIOS setup screen and enable Power Saving in the operating system Power Options screen.