Resolved PSU air, case and metal at PSU get Really warm

Hello,
Problem: Overheating
The back area of the case (1/3 to ½), the air from the PSU, and metal ?grill? at the PSU get very warm after about 15 "“ 20 minutes.

System Information:
Dell Optiplex 780
CPU = Intel® coreâ„¢2 quad CPU q8400 @ 2.66 GHz.
RAM = 4 GB; speed 1066 MHz; DDR3; 4 sticks: DIMM_1 through DIMM_4 (1 GB each)
Windows XP Pro SP3 (completely up-to-date)
POWER SUPPLY = 235 W (I will be replacing it)
Latest BIOS

Troubleshooting: so far
Ineffective
No dust

Ran it with case "door" off (still very warm "“ top of case not quite as bad)

Have updated BIOS to latest version but this did not solve anything.

Effective
I changed "Fan control override" to "ON" (BIOS setting).
Does not get significantly warm when "Fan control override" is set to "ON"
Tested for 45 minutes, and then 1 hour.

I only set up system February of this year.
Have not done anything with it except:
Updated Windows XP Pro
Activated Trend I.S. (came with it)
Upgraded Internet Explorer to 7.x (from 6.x))

I don’t want to use it with the heat b/c I don’t want to damage it.
There have been no errors (i.e. no BSOD’s; no spontaneous reboots; no freezes, etc.).

Dell has sent me:
1. A replacement PSU
2. A replacement heat sink
And
3. A replacement Motherboard.
I have not replaced anything yet

Questions:
1. Since running it with the fan at maximum and always on (“Fan Control Overrideâ€) "cures" it, does this rule out the heat sink?

2. The PSU in it is only 235 W
I used the online calculator referred to on this forum: message:
http://www.windowsbbs.com/hardware/89165-what-power-supply-should-i-get.html

"eXtreme Power Supply Calculator "
http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp
"Minimum" PSU wattage was 181 W
“Ideal" was 231 W.
(I think I included all components like video card, memory, etc.)
As above I am replacing the PSU but could an inadequate PSU cause "overheating�

3. Could it still be the motherboard e.g. something wrong with whatever controls the fan?

Thank you

 

Your simplest answer would be more fans/better cooling system.
Better air circulation around computer as I have to use an electric fan (external) in the summer. Cheers Neil.

 

Thanks for reply!
Quick Explanation:

This is my fault
I got the PC last year but did not open it until February 2011. Dell offered and wanted to send a technician w/ the parts.
I want to do the replacements myself (and the troubleshooting)
I have a good warranty "“ (wish I didn’t have to use it though)

So Dell has kept its end of the deal and has been really good about things! (so far at least) ...

I downloaded CoreTemp: Not sure what I am supposed to post? Numbers change…. I’m running it with the fan override OFF (waiting for it to warm up "“ which it is doing fairly quickly)
What should I post?
Thanks again for replying!

 

Hi
I appreciate your reply and your advice!

Is does have a very narrow / small form factor so I agree with your solution but it is *new* and should not get warm. IMHO, the OEM should ensure that the parts are compatible / adequate enough.
Thanks again!

 

I use core temp and my numbers change quite often. What are the temps showing? Mine usually is between 85 and 100. Usually 100 when I have been on for a while and using it quite a bit.

 

Hello and thank you for replying!

I guess you have your readings in Fahrenheit.
Mine are in Celsius

This CPU has 4 cores (0 – 3)
Core 2 got to 38 deg C = 100.4 F

None of the cores got up to 40 degrees C. (I don’t know why Core 2 is higher even with the load at 0%)
(BTW the load column for all 4 was in the 0% – 2% range).

I am going to replace the PSU in a few minutes but I was just reading about others being concerned about such a low rated PSU (235 W)

Thanks again

 

My first core is usually one or two degrees cooler for some reason. 88 and 90 right now. Just dropped to 86 and 88. Your temps aren't really bad.

 

Thanks PeteC

Does that indicate the heat sink is okay? Dell sent a replacement heat sink as well....
I read last night - hot case +/- shocks (not hot (just warm) and no shocks in my situation) means a short or grounding issue (FWIW)).
Thanks!
P.S. they also sent a motherboard

 

Thank you for the reply

I thought it would be best to start a new thread since it was a different topic. (i.E. whether it was safe to start the PC without components being secured)
To:
1. Ensure everything had been re-connected properly
And
2. If the hot air still occurred, to replace the board without having to remove everything again.
Thanks again

 

Please see:
"Replacing PSU on a Small Form Factor Dell Optiplex "
http://www.windowsbbs.com/hardware/98146-replacing-psu-small-form-factor-dell-optiplex.html

Neither this thread nor the above-titled thread are resolved:

PC still gets warm (but gets minimally cooler the longer it is on), and noisy. (One freeze when trying to upload a file to Adobe.com to edit)
Dell sent a tech who replaced the PSU and heat sink.

Due to broken bones I cannot do anything right now but when better I’ll probably get:
Refurbished: 305-Watt Power Supply for Dell OptiPlex 760/ 780 Desktop/ 780 Mini-Tower/ 780 Small Form Factor
http://accessories.dell.com/sna/products/power/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=biz&cs=555&sku=p192m

Questions:
1. This is a SFF PC. The components just fit with no spare space whatsoever. Possibly this obstructs air flow (?) and maybe these are normally noisy (fan) and warm?
2. This thread and the other (above) are not Resolved. Is there another option e.g. "Suspended" "Postponed" or "Unresolved" to mark the thread with?
If not, I'll use "Resolved "
Thanks

 

Use resolved on this one tanya, no need to have two threads open for what is essentially the same issue.

EDIT: For others looking in see Replacing PSU on a Small Form Factor Dell Optiplex