Heat issues with Mame Sytem

[screamingtiger]

I have a Mame machine I built using an Athlon II 3 core 3.7 GHZ.  It is decased and I have several fans running inside the cabinet.

The CPU temps get hotter than I like, but the main issue is the machine is like a small heater.  So when we play it for some time we get sweaty.  The machine is in a small room if I leave it on it does heat up the room.

Does anyone know if I get something newer if it will run cooler?  I was looking at the AM1 "kabini" systems they seem to run cool but not sure if it will perform or not.

Of course a raspberry pi would be super cool but not going to perform like I want!

Thanks!

[Haze]

I have a Mame machine I built using an Athlon II 3 core 3.7 GHZ.  It is decased and I have several fans running inside the cabinet.

The CPU temps get hotter than I like, but the main issue is the machine is like a small heater.  So when we play it for some time we get sweaty.  The machine is in a small room if I leave it on it does heat up the room.

Does anyone know if I get something newer if it will run cooler?  I was looking at the AM1 "kabini" systems they seem to run cool but not sure if it will perform or not.

Of course a raspberry pi would be super cool but not going to perform like I want!

Thanks!

If you use newer hardware you're not going to be pushing the hardware as hard, so it will run cooler (assuming you're not doing anything silly like running DOS / Win9x which can't manage the hardware properly)

It's actually something a lot of people seem to overlook when recommending cheap old hardware for cabinets.  Sure, you might be able to squeeze 100% *just* on some games, but pushing the CPUs that hard will generate a lot of heat, and potentially lead to a shorter lifespan for the components than if you were using newer hardware and not causing the processor to break a sweat.  One of the key things about processors, especially in recent years is how much efficiency has improved (how much more work you get done per cycle) which will also directly translate into reduced running costs.

[JDFan]

WHat CPU is it ?? THe highest rated Athlon x3 I see is the x3 460 @3.4Ghz. or do you actually mean 2.7Ghz. (x3 425 CPU) ?

FIgure the X3 460 is rated at a max temp of 167F - so they do tend to run a bit hot and if you are overclocking it to 3.7Ghz. you are also pushing extra wattage into it to keep it stable - so will likely be running fairly hot at all times.

What CPU cooler are you using ? Figure if using the stock cooler and over clocking the CPU the heatsink is probably not adequate to dissipate the heat due to the extra wattage the overclock is supplying - SO getting a better aftermarket cooler (or even adding a enclosed liquid based cooler) might help - since the liquid based system would move the radiator and fan away from the MOBO and other internals so the heat could be dissipated easier and faster so the heat build up lessens.

Something like the Corsair h60 for example

[screamingtiger]

you just reminded me its 3.4 not 3.7 ghz.  You have the correct CPU.

Even if I get the heat away from the CPU,  the heat out put is the same from the entire machine.

Do you know if that kabini system I talked about runs cooler and has enough power to run moder mame and other emulators like NES (nothing above SNES)?

Id really like a cool running machine I can leave on all the time without burning down the house LOL.

[JDFan]

you just reminded me its 3.4 not 3.7 ghz.  You have the correct CPU.

Even if I get the heat away from the CPU,  the heat out put is the same from the entire machine.

Do you know if that kabini system I talked about runs cooler and has enough power to run moder mame and other emulators like NES (nothing above SNES)?

Id really like a cool running machine I can leave on all the time without burning down the house LOL.

Not true --- the overall temp of the heat output will be higher if the CPU is allowed to get to a higher temp due to the heat not being dissipated as it runs -- if the aftermarket cooler removes more of the heat before the temp rises there will be less heat given off to the surrounding room since the temps never climb as high ( ie. if the CPU is kept running around 100 - 110F the room will stay cooler than if it is climbing to 130 - 140F since the surround ambient temp will absorb and move the lower temp difference between the room temp and the system temp easier ( The same amount of heat will be put out but at a lower temp, so that the rest of the house will absorb the difference in heat levels faster because there will be less difference in temps between the house - the room and the system )

[lilshawn]

the athlon x2 is a pretty hot CPU for what it does (95 watts TDP for only a squeek over 3 ghz.) . from your description, it sounds like you have an AM3 motherboard, in which case, i would look into a CPU with a better architecture and a little less power dissipation needs or a better cooler and a solution to get that heat out of the cabinet.

like mentioned, an all in 1 liquid cooler like the corsair H series can get that heat out of the cabinet, exhausting the air out the back.

but even a simple solution such as a 120mm fan mounted in the back blowing out might be enough to keep the air in the cabinet from getting saturated with heat.

source:

on the daily with an overclocked FX9590 CPU at 5.1ghz dissipating well over 220 watts.