Recently I acquired a P180 to replace my BQE (which I pretty much destroyed). The thing that I'm not very happy with is the temperatures are a bit too high, although not dangerous yet. As I'm typing this right now, the temperatures are sitting at 45C for CPU, 42C for case. One thing I noticed is that when I take off the side panel, the CPU temperature would take a huge dive all the way to 36C. So I'm thinking this could be a huge air flow problem in my case.
Pics:
![Image](http://img314.imageshack.us/img314/6214/18wn.jpg)
Another angle:
![Image](http://img314.imageshack.us/img314/8229/25lw.jpg)
Specs:
-A64 3000+ s754 (newcastle) at 2.35Ghz, 1.6V cooled by XP-120
-OCZ PC3200 2*512MB at 235MHz, 2.7V
-Asus K8N-E Deluxe
-BBA 9800pro at stock clocks cooled by VGA Silencer rev3 at low
-Antec TruePower 480W
-2x WD Caviar 160GB ATA
Fans:
-back exhaust: stock TriCool at high, fan only'ed
-top exhaust: brandless at 5V, pretty close to TriCool at low according to my ears and my hand
-CPU blowing in: 120mm fan at 12V that came with my BQE (39 CFM, 25 dBA according to Antec)
-bottom chamber fan blowing towards PSU: stock TriCool at low
Temperatures with side panel: (by Asus Probe)
CPU: 45C idle, ~49C load
MB: 42C idle = load
Temperatures without side panel: (by Asus Probe)
CPU: 36C idle, didn't test load
MB: 40C idle
Ambient (room) temperature: 22~23C
I've tried some other fan config. With front intake, changing direction in the back exhaust, taping out the vents near the video card, etc. None of them did a better job than lowering either CPU or MB temps by 1C.
So I'm wondering... Is the air flow/cable management inside my case real bad, that causes a ~10C difference between with and without side panel? Anything I can do about it?